Skip to main content

Planning Minutes | October 22, 2020

TOWNSHIP OF MONROE

PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

October 22, 2020

Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Terence Van Dzura who led the salute to the Flag.

Chairman Terence Van Dzura 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 3, 2020;                 

Posted on the Monroe Township website; and                          

Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.

MEMBERS PRESENT:      Chairman Terence Van Dzura, Mr. David Rothman, Mr. Andy Paluri, Mrs. Karen Polidoro, Mr. Wayne Horbatt, Ms. Roslyn Brodsky, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider and Mayor Gerald Tamburro.  Also present for the Board were Attorney Jerome Convery, Planner Mark Remsa, Engineer Mark Rasimowicz and Director of Planning Mr. Joe Stroin.

MEMBERS ABSENT:        Vice Chairman John Riggs and Alternate #I Mr. Norman Olinsky.

A motion to approve the September 24, 2020 Minutes made by Mr. Andy Paluri and seconded by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and passed unanimously by all members present.

 

PB-1218-19                        Apple Realty, LLC;   Request for Preliminary and Final Site Plan with Bulk Variances; Block 47.01, Lot 8.01located at 355 Applegarth Road in the NC Zone

Carried to January 28, 2021 with notice.

PB-1226-20                        Old Forge Properties, LLC; Request for Preliminary Major Subdivision; Block 106.50, Lots 11-12, 21-22; Block 106.51, Lots 1-11, 21-32; Block 106.03, Lots 9-15, 20-21, 26-34; Block 106.06, Lots 1-26, 33-48 located on Old Forge Road in the R-60 Zone with Cluster option to R-20 Zone

 

Carried to January 28, 2021 without notice.

PB-1222-19                        DYNR, LLC;            Request for Final Site Plan and Bulk Variances; Block 41, Lot 7 located at 336 Applegarth Road in the OP Zone                    Represented by Mr. Lawrence A. Calli,  stated this is application is for Final Major Site Plan Approval with bulk variances for property identified as Block 41, Lot 7, located on Applegarth Road, in the Township of Monroe, County of Middlesex, and State of New Jersey, within an OP – Office Professional Zone.  We agree to and shall comply with any and all conditions of approval contained in the Preliminary Major Site Plan with Bulk Variance Approval Resolution approved on August 22, 2019 and memorialized on September 26, 2019 under your file #PB-1211-18.

Dr. Patel, owner stated they have been in Monroe Township for almost 4 years and was looking for their own property.  They are leasing now.

Mr. Charles J, Witczak, PE, applicant’s Engineer described the final project in detail.  The subject site is located along the western side of Applegarth Road aka as County Route 619 in Monroe Township.  It contains about 0.69 acres on which a detached, single-story, single-family dwelling exists.  North of the site is a wooded area that is part of a lot on which an electrical parts supplier exists.  A park and ride parking lot and a strip mall exist to the east.  South of the site is a house of worship, and to the west is a warehouse/distribution facility.  The site is zoned OP Office Professional.  We are proposing a physical therapy use that includes a yoga studio that will be used by patrons of physical therapy.  The preliminary approval use consists of six (6) treatment rooms and an 810-square foot yoga studio.  The maximum of number of employees is seven (7).  We are also seeking under final approval a new septic system, underground stormwater management, a monument sign and 26 parking spaces of which 4 are handicap spaces.  We are seeking several bulk variances:  Minimum Buffer Width from Property Line   and Maximum Impervious Cover.  We are also seeking a design exception of Minimum Driveway Setback to Property Line.

Ms. Andy Paluri asked to point out parking, asked for number of employees vs. patient.  How many yoga clients.

Councilwoman Betty Schneider asked when they plan on opening.

Ms. Karen Polidoro stated they appeared at the ECC via zoom meeting.

PUBLIC:

Mr. Charlie DiPierro, Mr. Mark Klein and Ms. Lucille DiPasquale all wanted to be heard but had trouble connecting to our meeting.

Mr. David Rothman spoke on behalf of Mr. Dipierro and Mr. Klein and asked about wetlands and access onto Applegarth Road.

Ms. Karen Polidoro spoke on behalf of Ms. DiPasquale and asked about them appearing in front of Shade Tree.

Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated August 14, 2020.

Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated December 24, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Mr. David Rothman and seconded by Mr. Andy Paluri and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present. 

PB-1228-20                        K. Hovnanian at Villages at Country View, LLC; Request for Amended Final Site Plan with Bulk Variances; Block 36, Lots 3.01, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05 & 3.06 located on Spotswood – Englishtown Road in the R-ARAF Zone

Represented by Mr. Robert J. Curley who stated this application is for Amended Final Major Site Plan Approval with bulk variances for property identified as Block 36, Lots 3.01, 3.03, 3.04, 3.05, & 3.06, located on Spotswood -Englishtown Road, in the Township of Monroe, County of Middlesex, and State of New Jersey, within an R-ARAF Zone. 

Mr. David Fisher of K. Hovnanian stated the subject site, which is irregularly shaped and contains about 64 acres, is located in the central-eastern portion of Monroe Township.  The site fronts along the eastern side of Spotswood-Englishtown Road (CR 613) just north of the road’s intersection with Jamesburg-Englishtown Road (CR 522).  The site is zoned R-ARAF Residential-Age Restricted Affordable Housing District.  .  The subject site received final major site plan and final major subdivision approval under PB#1213-18 for an inclusionary housing development that consists of 213 townhouses limited to 2 bedrooms each and 53 affordable age-restricted rental apartments and a manager’s unit in the age-restricted building to be built in 3 phases.  We are proposing amended final major site plan approval to construct a site-identification monument sign, several temporary signs, a tot-lot and to construct a temporary sales trailer and associated parking area. The proposed monument sign will be at the intersection of Georgetown Drive and Spotswood-Englishtown Road on Lot 3.01 in Phase 1.   The temporary sales trailer and associated parking for 11 cars will be located at the entrance to the site with access from Georgetown Drive in Phase 1 on Lot 3.01.  Model homes will be in Building 18 on Lot 3.01 with frontage on Georgetown Drive in Phase 1, with 13 parking spaces including 2 accessible spaces.  We are requesting the following bulk variances: Minimum Setback for Sign to Lot Line, Main Entrance Sign – Maximum Sign, Main Entrance Sign Illumination, Sales Office Sign – Maximum Number and Residential Zone Signage                                  

Mayor Gerald Tamburro stated that during the preliminary hearing there was plenty of testimony on the open lot and that the applicant repeatedly stated this is an age targeted development and did not seek any additional amenities at that point.  We should stand behind this board’s approval. 

Mr. Andy Paluri asked if this is age targeted, why seek a tot-lot?  The schools have a burden now.

Ms. Roslyn Brodsky also followed up as age targeted and asked what adult amenities are sought.

Councilwoman Betty Schneider asked what has happened with the drainage.

Mr. Mark Rasimowicz also indicated that the neighboring homeowner had concerns and was flooded.

Mr. David Rothman asked the size of the sign at the main entrance.       

The Board discussed and considered whether or not a tot-lot should be provided by the applicant and voted to remove the tot-lot from the application.  The applicant agreed to remove the tot-lot from its application, and agreed to revise the plans accordingly.

PUBLIC:

Mr. Charlie DiPierro stated he has been a realtor for over 40 years in this town and never has heard of a “target market”.

Ms. Debra Palella stated the schools are already overcrowded.

Ms. Chrissy Skurbe also had concerns about the schools.

Ms. Michele Arminio stated that off Forsgate Drive that development was also age targeted and that the buses that come and go in that development are astounding.

Mr. Ken Chiarella stated that the developer and professionals have funded many candidates in this town.

Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated October 19, 2020.

Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated October 6, 2020.

Motion to approve application without tot lot made by Mr. David Rothman and seconded by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and passed with Mr. Andy Paluri voting no.               

MEMORIALIZATION

PB-1225-20             Costco Wholesale, a motion to approve made by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and seconded by Mr. Wayne Horbatt and passed with Ms. Karen Polidoro abstaining.

A motion to adjourn at 10:15 p.m. made by Mr. Andy Paluri and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Schneider and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

Respectfully submitted,

LAURA ZALEWSKI

PLANNING BOARD SECRETARY