TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
WARREN COUNTY
LAND USE BOARD

Municipal Offices                                                                                                            350 Route 57 West
(908) 689-7209                                                                                                           Washington, NJ 07882

MINUTES
APRIL 27, 2005

Chairman K. Pflugh called the meeting to order at 7:35p.m.

ADEQUATE NOTICE was given as follows: Notice was sent to the “Star Gazette” and “Express Times.” Notice was posted on the Municipal bulletin board in the Township Administration building in Washington Township, New Jersey, and notice was filed with the Township Clerk on December 22, 2004.

ROLL CALL:

Members Present: Mayor Dempski, Mr. Howell, Mr. Strunk, Mr. Sodtalbers, Mr. Klingel, Ms. Pflugh, Ms. Pietrangelo

Members Absent: Mr. Rossi, Mr. Iwaniszyn, Mr. Birkner, Ms. Belz

Also Present: Attorney S. Gruenberg, Engineer J. Cilo Jr., Planner S. Doyle

MINUTES: A motion to approve the minutes from the March 30, 2005 was made by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Mayor Dempski, Vote: Sodtalbers, Dempski, Howell, Strunk, Pietrangelo - Ayes, 0 - Nay, Klingel, Pflugh - Abstain, motion carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: An additional list was distributed to the Board members.

1.  Blue Mountain LLC - WTPB#2004-20 - A request was made by the applicant to carry the public hearing through the month of May 2005 for Block 24, Lot 6, 6.01 & 6.02.

Chairman K. Pflugh announced the application would be carried through the end of May, however if the applicant goes beyond May they will be required to re-notice.

2.  Bay Storage/Anne McClement - Second Review for completeness for  Site Plan application for Block 40, Lot 14.01. At the request of the applicant this application was been rescheduled for May 11, 2005. Chairman K. Pflugh announced this application will be rescheduled for second completeness review on May 11, 2005.

COMPLETENESS:

1.  McCullough Road Land Development, LLC - WTPB#2005-14 - Completeness Review for a Preliminary Major Subdivision application for Block 47, Lot 9. A motion was made to deem the application incomplete per the Planner S. Doyle’s Letter dated April 21, 2005 by Ms. Pietrangelo, seconded by Mayor Dempski, Vote: Pietrangelo, Dempski, Howell, Strunk, Sodtalbers, Klingel, Pflugh - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

At the request of the applicant this application will be scheduled for June 8, 2005 for a second completeness review and request for public hearing.

2.  T. Donoghue- WTPB#2005-15 - Completeness Review for a Minor Subdivision application for Block 45, Lot 14.05.  A motion was made to deem the application complete with waivers granted for completeness only by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Mayor Dempski, Vote: Sodtalbers, Dempski, Howell, Strunk, Pflugh, Pietrangelo - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried. This application has been scheduled for public hearing for May 25, 2005.

RESOLUTIONS:

1.  J. Hackett - WTPB#2004-26 - Resolution for denial of an appeal of the Zoning Officer Denial of Zoning Permit for Block 43, Lot 23. Eligible to Vote: Pietrangelo, Klingel, Iwaniszyn, Pflugh. This resolution will be presented at the May 11, 1005 meeting.

PUBLIC HEARINGS & DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1.  F. Phelps - WTPB#2004-35 - Public hearing for a Variance application for Block 60, Lot 5. This application was deemed complete on January 12, 2005.

Attorney S. Gruenberg stated the Board had jurisdiction to proceed. Attorney Gruenberg swore in the applicant Mr. Frederick Phelps. Mr. Phelps briefly reviewed his reasons for applying for a variance. Mr. Phelps stated he would like to add on a family room, but due to the shape and width of the existing structures and basement access he could only place the addition over the existing concrete patio. Mr. Phelps stated he discussed the addition with his adjacent neighbors and his neighbors had no issue with the proposed addition.

Public Comment: No public comment was offered at this time.

Attorney S. Gruenberg stated the applicant required a variance to grant bulk relief for side yard setback for 9.9 feet where 20 feet is required.

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Strunk, seconded by Ms. Pietrangelo, Vote: Strunk, Pietrangelo, Dempski, Howell, Sodtalbers, Klingel, Pflugh - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

2.  P. Graham - WTPB#2005-8 - Public hearing for a Variance application for Block 40.02 Lot 5. This application was deemed complete on March 30, 2005.

Attorney S. Gruenberg stated the Board had jurisdiction to proceed. Attorney Gruenberg swore in the applicant Mr. Patrick Graham of 8 Elizabeth Avenue. Mr. Graham was represented by Attorney Alan Lowcher. Mr.  Lowcher briefly reviewed the application and stated the applicant was applying to construct a deck in the R-20 Zone district. The R-20 zone requires a rear yard setback of 40 feet, as a result of the proposed deck construction the rear yard set back to the deck will be 30 feet which requires a variance. Mr. Graham presented exhibits A-1 - A-8 photographs showing current and proposed deck locations.

Mr. Graham stated other surrounding neighbors have replaced the smaller decks with larger ones.  Ms. Pietrangelo asked the applicant if he considered building a smaller deck.

Mr. Graham stated due to the bump outs from the house the deck would have to be larger.

Public Comment: No public comment was offered at this time.

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Strunk, seconded by Mr. Sodtalbers, Vote:

Strunk, Sodtalbers, Dempski, Klingel, Pflugh, Pietrangelo - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

3. Washington Estates - WTPB#2004-33 - Continuation of a Public hearing for a Preliminary Major Subdivision application for Block 28, Lot 5. Eligible to Vote: Dempski,

Strunk, Sodtalbers, Rossi, Iwaniszyn, Pietrangelo, Birkner.

The professionals for this application have been previously sworn in. The applicant’s Engineer, Mr. Nicholas Wunner briefly discussed the April 12,2005 meeting with the Board’s Engineer John Cilo Jr. regarding flow and drainage. Mr. Wunner briefly reviewed the proposed handling of drainage and plantings within the basin. The applicant’s Attorney Mr. Jack Spinella briefly reviewed the application for the Board and stated the application is in full compliance with the ordinances, the applicant agreed on the width of a 20ft. roadway and a homeowner’s association for the detention basin which funding would be approved by the Township and Land Use Attorneys. The applicant agreed to plantings per Planner S. Doyle’s approval and a development fee contribution. Attorney Spinella stated there would be city water hydrants placed at the entrance, middle and end of the development roadway.  Attorney S. Gruenberg stated the application was in compliance with the correspondence.

Public Comment: No public comment was offered at this time.

Chairman Pflugh announced this application would be continued on May 11, 2005 without further notice being required, no further testimony was given.

BREAK: 9:00 - 9:10 p.m.

4.  Martron LLC - WTPB#2005- 4 - Public hearing for a Site Plan application for Block 64, Lot 11. This application was deemed complete on March 30, 2005.

Attorney A. Lowcher represented the applicant. Attorney S. Gruenberg stated the Board had jurisdiction to proceed with the application. Attorney Gruenberg swore in the applicant’s Mr. Ronald Krone and Mr. Martin Georgia and Engineer Mr. Craig Stires of Stires & Associates, P.A. Attorney A. Lowcher briefly described the proposed steel addition to be constructed to the existing building which was formerly the Williams Paper Products Co. The proposed site will also include a shed and dumpster. Engineer C. Stires stated the size of the existing building was 68' x 46'. Mr. Stires stated one entrance onto Rt. 31 will be removed and replaced with landscaping and trees, which will reduce the overall impervious coverage by 230 sq.ft. Mr. Stires stated the site would function pretty much as it currently does now. Engineer J. Cilo Jr., requested the stormwater management plan be waived. Chairman K. Pflugh asked why would we waive the stormwater management plan, Mr. Cilo stated because of the reduction of the impervious coverage, Mr. Cilo also stated more calculations would have to be required.

Mr. Krone stated the business ships and receives electronic goods by UPS and tractor trailer and also provides cold room storage for Kodak film. Mr. Krone stated the location will have shielded box lighting which would conform to the ordinance. Board member Ms. Pietrangelo asked about curbing, and would curbing direct the water to Rt. 31.

Mayor Dempski stated he did not want flooding on adjacent properties.Public Comment:

Mr. Frank Cregan of 62 Merlin Drive.
Mr. Cregan asked if the application would have to be submitted to the County and State.

Mr. Krone confirmed the County and State would be notified. Mr. Cregan asked if the current amount of parking spaces would be adequate, Mr. Krone stated there was currently seven spaces and yes seven would be adequate.

Mr. Prisk of 5 Osprey Court.
Mr. Prisk explained to the Board the trees the applicant has chosen may develop needle cast turn brown and die. Mr. Prisk suggested a Rutgers conifer which requires no maintenance and is more resistance to disease.

The public hearing was closed at this time.

Attorney S. Gruenberg briefly reviewed the application for the Board.

A motion to approve the application for Preliminary Site approval was made by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Mayor Dempski, Vote: Sodtalbers, Dempski, Howell, Strunk, Klingel, Pflugh, Pietrangelo - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

A motion to approve the application for bulk Variance approval was made by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Ms. Pietrangelo, Vote: Sodtalbers, Pietrangelo, Dempski, Howell, Strunk, Klingel, Pflugh - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

5.  Sung Woo - WTPB#2005-12 - Conceptual Plan for Block 20, Lot 1.

Mr. Woo explained to the Board how he would like to split his property into two lots.

Planner Ms. Doyle reviewed some of the possible problems for his concept per her letter dated April 8, 2005. Mr. Strunk suggested the applicant not proceed until he performs adequate permeability tests. 

6.  Unity Bank - WTPB#2005-13 -Conceptual Plan for Block 78, Lot 9.

The applicant was represented by Attorney A. Lowcher and Engineer J. Symonds.

Mr. Lowcher stated the proposed building would be approximately 3,577sq.ft. and access would be from Asbury Anderson Road. Mr. Lowcher stated the current disposal system would be replaced with one system. Mr. Lowcher stated the County and DOT would have to be involved with the application. Traffic expert Gary Dean briefly discussed access issues for the site and a 25ft. wide access easement.

Engineer J. Symonds, stated issues regarding the access easement would have to be further researched before an application would be submitted.

7.  Mayor Dempski briefly reviewed a letter from the Council on Affordable Housing and second round substantive certification.

ADJOURNMENT: 11:15 p.m.

With no further business before the Board and no public comment offered, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Housman, Secretary
Washington Township LUB