TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
WARREN COUNTY
LAND USE BOARD

MINUTES
AUGUST 11, 2004

Chairman Artigliere called the  meeting to order at 7:30p.m.

ADEQUATE NOTICE was given as follows: Notice was sent to the “Star Gazette” and“Express Times” December 30, 2003. Notice was posted on the municipal bulletin board in the Township Administration Building in the Washington Township, New Jersey, and notice was filed with the Township clerk on December 30, 2003.

ROLL CALL: Horensky, Dante, Klingel, Sodtalbers, Iwaniszyn, Strunk, Artigliere

Members Absent: Parillo, Rossi, Pflugh

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

COMMUNICATIONS: A list was provided to the Land Use Board members at the meeting.

MINUTES: A motion to approve the minutes from July 14, 2004 meeting as written was made by Mr. Klingel, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, Vote: Klingel, Iwaniszyn, Dante, Sodtalbers, Artigliere - Ayes, 0 - Nay, Horensky, Strunk - Abstain, motion carried.

COMPLETENESS ONLY:

1.  Rt. 31 Properties, LLC., - WTPB#2004-22 - Completeness for a Site Plan application for Block 64, Lot 10. A motion to deem the application incomplete was made by Mr. Klingel, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, all ayes motion carried, Horensky and Strunk abstained.

2.  Blue Mountain, LLC.,/Deutschlander - WTPB#2004-20 - Completeness for a Minor Subdivision application for Block 24, Lots 6, 6.01 & 6.02. A motion to deem the application complete with waivers granted was made by Mr. Klingel, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, all ayes motion carried. The Chairman announced the application would be heard on August 25, 2004.

3.  Martron, LLC., - WTPB#2004-21 - Completeness for a Variance application for Block 64, Lot 11. A motion to deem the application complete was made by Mr. Strunk, seconded by Mr. Dante, all ayes motion carried. The Chairman announced the application would be heard on September 29, 2004 at the applicant’s request.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1.  W. Witkowski - WTPB#2004-15 - Resolution for a “C” variance application for Block 34, Lot 7. Deemed complete June 9, 2004. Approved July 14, 2004.

Eligible to Vote: Iwaniszyn, Strunk, Sodtalbers, Klingel, Rossi, Artigliere, Parillo, Dante

A motion was made to approve a resolution granting variance approval by Mr. Strunk, seconded by Mr. Dante, Vote: Strunk, Dante, Iwaniszyn, Sodtalbers, Artigliere - Ayes, 0 - Nay, Horensky - Abstained, motion carried.

2.  R. Anema - WTPB#2004-18 - Resolution for a Minor Subdivision application for Block 66, Lot 1.10. Approved on July 28, 2004. Eligible to Vote: Iwaniszyn, Strunk, Sodtalbers, Horensky, Artigliere, Parillo, Dante. A motion was made to approve a resolution granting minor subdivision approval by Mr. Strunk, seconded by Mr. Sodtalbers, Vote: Strunk, Sodtalbers, Iwaniszyn, Horensky, Artigliere, Dante - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

3. McCullough Road Land Development, LLC - WTPB#2004-14 - Resolution for a Minor Subdivision application for Block 47, Lot 9 approved July 28, 2004.

Eligible to Vote: Horensky, Dante, Parillo, Sodtalbers, Iwaniszyn, Strunk, Artigliere, Pflugh

This resolution will be tabled until August 25, 2004 meeting.

4. M. Mojek - WTPB#2004-10 - Continuation of Public hearing for Preliminary & Final Site Plan application for Block 43, Lot 20. Eligible to vote: Sodtalbers, Parillo, Klingel, Artigliere, Iwaniszyn, Rossi. Mayor Horensky and Mr. Strunk stepped down for this application. Attorney S. Gruenberg swore in Mr. Robert Lorentz of Heritage Consulting Engineers. Mr. Lorentz briefly addressed drainage issues. Mr. Lorentz addressed Engineer J. Cilo’s letter dated July 22, 2004. The Board requested conditional approval from the Fire Dept.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mr. Edward Terry of Penny Toss Farm

Mr. Lorentz addressed questions from Mr. Terry regarding new storm water management requirements, re-charge and management practices. Mr. Lorentz discussed the calculations and how they are based, current drains and how they will work. End of public comment.

Mr. Timothy Brouse the applicant’s Geo-technical consultant addressed additional updated information and Mr. Fischer’s concerns. Mr. Fischer stated he wasn’t sure what was under the site and would have additional information after the well tests are completed.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mr. Edward Terry of Penny Toss Farm

Mr. Terry stated he has concerns for traffic, lighting and surrounding projects. Mr. Terry stated the lighting from a nearby facility is a nightmare. Mr. Terry submitted pictures of storm  water damage. Mr. Lorentz explained drainage flow in detail.

Mr. Cilo explained the drainage design to the Board and discussed time of concentrations.

End of Public Comment.

Attorney S. Ours summarized the application before the Board for Preliminary & Final Site Plan approval with a variance.

The public hearing was closed at this time and will be continued on September 8, 2004.

5.  Washington Driving Range - WTPB#2004-13 - Continuation of Public hearing for a

Variance application for Block 66, Lot 20.07. Deemed complete June 9, 2004.

Eligible to vote: Sodtalbers, Parillo, Iwaniszyn, Artigliere, Klingel, Rossi.

This application will be continued at the September 8, 2004 meeting.

BREAK: 10:00 - 10:10

6. Washington Township Realty Holding Co., Inc. - WTPB#2004-17 - Public hearing for

Preliminary & Final Site Plan application for Block 64, Lot 13.

The applicant was represented by Mr. Ronald Kennedy a licensed professional planner from Gladstone Design Inc., and Attorneys from Pitney Hardin, LLC.  Exhibits were presented as follows: A-1 Aerial map of the property, A-2 Map showing existing restaurant, A-3 Map showing the proposed restaurant, A-4 Applicant’s Geotechnical report, A-6 Proposed floor plan, A-7 Interior sketch and A-8 Exterior elevations. Mr. Kennedy reviewed A-1 aerial map of the surrounding area for the Board and briefly reviewed A-2 discussing tree lines, setbacks and sign dimensions. Mr. Kennedy stated the proposed restaurant would seat seventy five and have a more traditional layout. Mr. Kennedy stated parking would be clearly defined, thirty four spaces proposed, twenty eight are required. Mr. Kennedy stated there would be a curbcut connection to South Lincoln Ave., public water, landscape improvements and no additional impervious coverage. The applicant has approval from the DOT and Soil Conservation.

Mr. Kennedy stated the existing sign would be used, redone and internally lite.

The Board reviewed with the applicant Engineer Mr. Cilo’s letter dated July 23, 2004.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Attorney Stuart Ours stated he represented the Taylors who live at 275 South Lincoln Ave. Mr. Ours stated his clients have concerns regarding lighting.

Mr. Kennedy reviewed the proposed lighting and landscaping for Attorney S. Ours.

Planner S. Doyle asked what the proposed color of the roof would be.

Mr. Kennedy stated the roof would be a neutral earth tone color.

The pastor of St. Joseph’s church came before the Board and stated he had known the applicant’s for many years and would like to vouch for their integrity.

End of public comment, the public hearing was closed at this time.

Attorney S. Gruenberg reviewed the variance requirements for setbacks for the board.

The applicant would have to provide a two year maintenance guarantee for plantings. Any lighting issues would have to have the final approval of J. Cilo, Gladstone Design and S. Ours. A motion was made to grant Variance approval for front yard setback, and Preliminary and Final Site Plan approval by Mr. Dante, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, Vote: Dante, Iwaniszyn, Horensky, Klingel, Sodtalbers, Strunk, Artigliere - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

7.  R. Hodge - WTPB#2004-17 - Completeness and Public hearing for a Variance application for Block 78,  Lot 12. The application was deemed incomplete on July 14, 2004. Due to the late hour this application was rescheduled for September 8, 2004 meeting.

Executive Session: 11:45 - 11:50

A motion was made by Mr. Iwaniszyn, seconded by Mr. Klingel to go into Executive Session at 11:45 to discuss pending “Litigation”. A motion was made by Mr. Iwaniszyn to return to regular session at 11:50  seconded by Mr. Klingel, all ayes motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT: 11:50

With no further business before the Board the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Housman
Land Use Secretary