TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
WARREN COUNTY
LAND USE BOARD

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

MINUTES
DECEMBER 14, 2005

Chairwoman K. Pflugh called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.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. Strunk, Mr. Sodtalbers, Mr. Iwaniszyn, Ms. Pflugh, Ms. Pietrangelo, Ms. Belz, Mr. Rossi ( 8:35)

Members Absent: Mr. Howell, Mr. Klingel, Mr. Birkner

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

CORRESPONDENCE: A correspondence list was submitted to the Land Use Board members.

MINUTES: Minutes from the November 9, 2005 and November 16, 2005 meetings.

A motion to approve the minutes from the November 9, 2005 meeting was made by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Ms. Pietrangelo, Vote: Sodtalbers, Pietrangelo, Dempski, Strunk, Pflugh, Belz - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

A motion to approve the minutes from the November 16, 2005 meeting was made by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Ms. Pietrangelo, Vote: Sodtalbers, Pietrangelo, Iwaniszyn, Pflugh - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

RESOLUTIONS:

1.  Heron Run/M. Spann - WTPB#2005-1 - Resolution for a Preliminary Major Subdivision application for Block 82, Lot 17. This application received approval on October 12, 2005. Eligible to Vote: Sodtalbers, Dempski, Strunk, Pietrangelo, Iwaniszyn. This resolution will be presented at the December 21, 2005 meeting.

COMPLETENESS:

1.  Pride Builders/McCullough Road - WTPB#2005-27 - Second Completeness Review for a Major Subdivision application for Block 47 and proposed Lot 9.04.

This application was deemed incomplete on September 14, 2005. The applicant was represented by Attorney D. Morrow and Engineer J. Symonds of Biggs Engineering.

The applicant requested a waiver be granted for a geotechnical Phase I review.

A motion to deem the application complete with a waiver granted for a Phase I Geotechnical review was made by Ms. Belz, seconded by Mayor Dempski, Vote: Belz, Dempski, Strunk, Sodtalbers, Iwaniszyn, Pflugh, Pietrangelo - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried. This application will be scheduled for January 11, 2006.

PUBLIC HEARING & DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1.  Mr. Hudock - WTPB#2005-29 - Variance application for Block 31, Lot 8 located at 1 Jackson Parkway. This application was deemed complete on September 28, 2005.

Attorney S. Gruenberg reviewed the advertising and stated the Board had jurisdiction to proceed. Attorney S. Gruenberg swore in the applicants Mr. & Mrs. Hudock.

Mr. Hudock briefly described his property for the Board and stated there had been a pre-existing shed on the property which had been destroyed by snow. Mr. Hudock explained why he has chosen the location for the new shed and stated alternate locations would be too close to the septic system and mature trees would have to have been removed to accommodate the new shed. Mr. Hudock stated his home did not have a basement and with four children with bikes he needs the additional storage space. Attorney S. Gruenberg asked if the shed is already in existence, Mr. Hudock said yes. Mr. Hudock stated since the shed was built without receiving variance relief and a building permit he will have to appear in court on December 23, 2005.

Public Comment: No public comment was offered.

The Board requested a new sketch be provided  prior to the approval of the resolution, the applicant agreed.

A motion was made to close the public hearing by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, all ayes, motion carried.

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

2.  Bay Storage - WTPB#2005-11 - Continuation of a Public Hearing for a Major Site Plan application for Block 40, Lot 14.01 from October 26, 2005.

Eligible to Vote: Dempski, Howell, Strunk. Sodtalbers, Klingel, Rossi, Iwaniszyn, Pflugh, Pietrangelo. The applicant was represented by Attorney L. Fox and Engineer J. Symonds of Biggs Engineering. Planner S. Doyle reviewed and approved the proposed landscape plan, Ms. Doyle stated the fence would be interior and the trees would provide an outside buffer. Engineer J. Symonds reviewed and discussed exhibits A-3, A-4, A-5 and A-6. Mr. Symonds reviewed lighting, Mr. Strunk asked if there would be dusk to dawn lighting. Mr. Symonds stated there would be security lighting which would be one foot candle at the property lines and shielding would be added if there was a complaint. Engineer J. Cilo requested four copies of the lighting fixtures being proposed for the town officials. Mr. Symonds reviewed exhibit A-7 sign detail showing dimensions. The applicant agreed to a permanently lettered sign for the self storage only. Mr. Symonds reviewed exhibit A-8 Fencing detail, the applicant agreed to a height not to exceed eight feet.

Public Comment:

Mr. F. Cregan of 62 Merlin Drive.

Mr. Cregan asked the applicant if there would be any piped framed signs, the applicant replied no. Mr. Cregan asked if copies of identification would be kept on file and if there would be a daily inspection of the property for leaks and odors. Attorney S. Gruenberg stated that the proposed use was permitted in the zone and the applicant was not permitted to have hazardous materials on site and that would be going beyond the Board’s power.

The applicant stated there would someone on the property at all times.

Mr. J. Tokarzewski of 11 St. Andrews Drive.

Mr. Tokarzewski asked if the pipe going out to the main pipe would be buried, Mr. Symonds replied yes. Testimony was concluded at this time. A motion to close the public hearing was made by Ms. Pietrangelo, seconded by Ms. Belz, all ayes motion carried.

Attorney S. Gruenberg reviewed the conditions of approval for the resolution.

A motion to grant variance relief for the sign was made by Ms. Pietrangelo, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, Vote: Pietrangelo, Iwaniszyn, Strunk, Sodtalbers, Pflugh, Belz - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried. A motion to grant Preliminary Major Site Plan approval was made by Ms. Pietrangelo, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, Vote: Pietrangelo, Iwaniszyn, Strunk, Sodtalbers, Pflugh, Belz - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

BREAK: 9:15 - 9:25 P.M.

3.  Blue Mt. LLC - WTPB#2005-35 - Continuation of a Public Hearing for a Minor Subdivision application for Block 24, Lots 6, 6.01 & 6.02 from November 16, 2005.

Eligible to Vote: Howell, Sodtalbers, Klingel, Rossi, Iwaniszyn, Pflugh, Pietrangelo, Birkner, Dempski, Strunk. The applicant was represented by Attorney R. Boak and Engineer E. Calhoun of Mace Consulting Engineers. Mr. Joseph Fischer of Geoscience Services reviewed his report dated December 2, 2005, Exhibit B1 & B2. Mr. Fischer stated his report would attempt to summarize the conclusions presented in the Melick & Tully report of November 8, 2005. Mr. Fischer also provided a lengthy description of grouting operations. Mr. Fischer stated he has repaired sinkholes underneath houses but also recommends a performance bond guarantee for the remediation of sinkholes.

Engineer J. Cilo recommended a clause in the deeds or re-enforcement of the foundation, the applicant suggested spread footings, a discussion followed.

Attorney S. Gruenberg suggested a conditional approval in compliance with the Geotechnical reports and a maintenance guarantee.

Mr. Strunk suggested a maintenance bond for  five thousand per lot for a period of two years after CO’s are issued. The Board had a brief discussion regarding merging of the lots,

Mr. Boak stated merger wouldn’t apply due to double road frontage.

The applicant agreed to all items on Engineer J. Cilo’s correspondence Exhibit B-3 January 17, 2005 and Exhibit B-4 August 23, 2005 correspondence.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mr. Frank Cregan of 62 Merlin Drive.

Mr. Cregan stated as far as he knew any home in the carbonate rock district would have the information regarding it in their deed.

Attorney S. Gruenberg reviewed the conditions of approval for the resolution which included no homes are to be built over 3,000sq.ft., the applicant agreed.

A motion to close the public hearing was made by Mr. Rossi, seconded by Mr. Sodtalbers, all ayes motion carried. A motion to grant conditional Minor Subdivision approval with Variance relief was made by Mr. Strunk, seconded by Mr. Rossi, Vote: Strunk, Rossi, Sodtalbers, Pflugh, Pietrangelo - Ayes, Iwaniszyn - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

4.  The proposed budget worksheet for 2006 will be reviewed at the December 21, 2005 meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment was offered.

ADJOURNMENT: 11:00 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 Land Use Board