TOWNSHIP OF MONROE

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

April 25, 2019

Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman David Rothman who led the salute to the Flag.

Chairman David Rothman read the Sunshine Law as follows: In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the minutes of this meeting that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the following:

Posted on the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Township Clerk;

Posted on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Complex;                                  

Printed in the Home News Tribune and Cranbury Press on January 4, 2019;                   

Posted on the Monroe Township website; and                                   

Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.

MEMBERS PRESENT:     Chairman David Rothman, Mr. Andy Paluri, Mrs. Karen Polidoro, Mr. Louis Caron, Mr. Wayne Horbatt, Ms. Roslyn Brodsky, Alternate #1 Mr. Norman Olinsky, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider and Mayor Gerald Tamburro.  Also present for the Board were Attorney Jerome Convery, Planner Mark Remsa, and Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.

MEMBERS ABSENT:        Vice Chairman Terence Van Dzura and Alternate #2 Mr. Jay Brown.

A motion to approve the March 28, 2019 Minutes made by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and seconded by Mr. Lou Caron and passed unanimously by all members present.

PB-1214-19          El at Monroe, LLC; Request for Amended Preliminary and Amended Final Site Plan with Bulk Variances; Block 54, Lot 3 (Section1, Phase III); Located on Mounts Mill Road and Spotswood Englishtown Road, in the VC-1 (Village Center) Overlay Zone

Carried to the next regular meeting with additional notice.

PB-1216-19          JMJ-4, LLC; Request for Preliminary and Final Site Plan with Bulk Variances; Block 55, Lot 4; Located on Abeel Road in the LI (Light Industrial) Zone

Carried to the next regular meeting with additional notice.

PB- 1215-19          Ron Longo, Bruce Longo, David Longo, Chad Longo; Request for Minor Subdivision; Block 15, Lot 3; Located on Old Church Road in the R-3A (Residential) Zone

Represented by Mr. Walter Toto who stated this application is seeking minor subdivision approval for the creation of 2 lots, no new construction. .  There is an approval for a 4 lot subdivisions.  We are here solely seeking a lot line adjustment and for a subdivision to carve the house off, for the purpose of the Township to purchase a portion of the property for open space. There are several bulk variances for existing conditions and for the ROW dedication.  The property is located at 10 Old Church Road, known as block 15, lot 3.  There 15.5 acres and has been in the Longo family for over 90 years.  We are seeking a waiver of installing curbing, sidewalk and street trees.  We also request a delay in posting the bonding for curbing and sidewalk.

Mayor Gerald Tamburro stated he was pleased with the application and as open space.

Mr. Andy Paluri asked how many lots were approved previously (4 lots).  Questioned if wetlands and how much are uplands.  Suggested no future subdivision on existing house lot.

Ms. Karen Polidoro asked if an LOI or Phase 1 has been done.

Mr. Walter Toto stated there is no new construction and would defer to the buyer for Phase 1.

PUBLIC:

Ms. Michelle Arminio asked how many acres are to be sold and what is wet? 

Mr. Walter Toto stated 9 acres and 1/3 is wet.

Ms. Karen Polidoro stated she is struggling with this application and setting a precedent.

Mr. Mark Rasimowicz stated this application is for a 2 lot subdivision that is it, not as an open space dedication approval.

Mr. Jerry Convery stated he conquered with Mr. Rasimowicz and further clarified that would be at the Township Council to negotiate for open space lands, not this Board.

Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated March 19, 2019.

Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated April 6, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Mr. Andy Paluri and seconded by Mr. Wayne Horbatt and passed with Ms. Karen Polidoro voting no.

PB-1212-18          Matrix 259 LCE I, LLC and Matrix 259 LCE J, LLC; Request for Preliminary and Final Site Plan with Bilk Variances; Block 56, Lot 9.05; Located on Prospect Plains Road in the OP (Office Professional) Zone

Represented by Mr. Glenn Pantel who stated the existing site is located in Monroe Township and half in Cranbury Township.  The site is part of a larger tract of land of about 70 acres that comprise an office campus that extends into both municipalities.  The portion that is in Monroe contains about 34 acres.  Specifically, two buildings are the subject of this application,  Building I is located entirely within Monroe, and Building J straddles both municipalities.  A total of thirty-nine (39) parking spaces that serve the two buildings are located in Cranbury.  Access to the campus is gained from Prospect Plains Road through Lot 1.01 in Block 3 in Cranbury.  The New Jersey Turnpike and its right-of-way form the western edge of the campus.  To the north and east is the Rossmoor age-restricted housing development.  A warehouse exists south of the site in Cranbury.  The property is in the OP Office Professional zone of the Township.

Mr. Ray Aquino, Matrix, Director of Land Development, stated he is present for any questions.

Mr. Michael McKenna applicant’s Engineer, stated we propose to increase the overall supply of parking spaces for Buildings I and J to 277 from 39 spaces.  To provide the additional parking, we propose to construct drive aisles connecting the proposed parking spaces.  The primary connecting drive aisles extend from the existing parking area of Building J and wrap around the sides of Building I.  We have also requested “banked parking spaces” but will obtain approvals for all parking spaces but shall initially construct stormwater detention, water quality and groundwater recharge basins necessary to support all parking spaces, and initially only construct a certain number of parking spaces.  We are proposing and have been approved to initially construct 201 car parking spaces, and bank the remaining spaces, namely 76 car spaces In the future, if needed, we may construct some or all of the banked spaces, with a procedure agreed to by us, the applicant and the Township of Monroe.  We are requesting several variances for parking size and signage.

Mr. John Chadwick, applicant’s Planner went over the placement of the buildings and the granting of the variances.  We will also have a timer on the illuminated signs as to not interfere with the neighboring residential residents.

Mayor Gerald Tamburro asked if they could describe where the Rossmoor entrance is and the impact this application would have on Rossmoor.

Mr. Andy Paluri asked that they have their Traffic Engineer put a few items on record for the traffic concerns of the site.

Mr. Karl Pahenke, applicant’s Traffic Engineer referred to his report and stated the flow is appropriate for the site.

Ms. Karen Polidoro asked if they appeared before the Environmental Commission.

PUBLIC:

Mr. Jim Murphy, asked if the lighting would affect the residents.

Mr. Charles Ivory stated the South Gate in Rossmoor will be affected and this should not be permitted to be built.

Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated April 8, 2019

Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated April 6, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Mr. Andy Paluri and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Schneider and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

MEMORIALIZATION

PB- 1207-18             Maria Celeste Adelino and Fernando Adelino, a motion to approve made by Councilwoman Betty Schneider and seconded by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

PB-1208 -18             DJC Capital Holdings, LLC, a motion to approve made by Mr. Andy Paluri and seconded by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

A motion to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. made by Mr. Wayne Horbatt and seconded by Mr. Lou Caron and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

Respectfully submitted,

LAURA ZALEWSKI

PLANNING BOARD SECRETARY