TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
WARREN COUNTY
LAND USE BOARD 

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

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 25, 2004

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Formal action may be taken at this meeting.

The Meeting was called to order by Chairman Artigliere at 7:30 p.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:

Members Present: Mr. Parillo, Mr. Klingel, Mr. Iwaniszyn, Mr. Strunk, Mr. Artigliere,

Mayor Horensky (9:50)

Members Absent: Mr. Sodtalbers, Ms. Pflugh, Mr. Rossi

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

COMMUNICATIONS: A list was provided at the meeting.

MINUTES: February 11, 2004

A motion to approve the minutes from February 11, 2004 as written was made by Mr. Klingel, seconded by Mr. Parillo, all ayes motion carried.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. N. McGrath - WTPB#2003-10 - Deeds for Minor Subdivision for Block 75, Lot 2.01

All conditions for deed and drawing approvals were met by the applicant. The deeds and plats were endorsed per the Board attorney and per the Board Engineer’s recommendation.

2 Piney Hill Farm - WTPB#2004-3 Minor Subdivision/ Boundary line adjustment,  with a Variance application for Block 66, Lot 17. Completeness & Public hearing.

A motion to deem the application complete and grant waivers for completeness  for the following: Item #’s 7G,13,14,16,17,18,26,27C,29,33, was made by Mr. Strunk, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, Vote: Strunk, Iwaniszyn, Parillo, Klingel, Artigliere - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

Public Hearing:

Attorney Gruenberg reviewed the proof of service and determined the Board has jurisdiction for the application.
Attorney S. Gruenberg swore in Mr. Richard C. Cotton who represented the applicants on behalf of Piney Hill Farms. Mr. Cotton gave the Board a brief description of the farmland  and explained the applicants would like to preserve the open space. Mr. Cotton stated that by making the remaining lot into two acres  would make the lot more conforming. Mr. Cotton stated the deed would be restricted by the State designating the farm to be used for agricultural purposes only.

Public Comment:

There was no comment from the public or board at this time.

Engineer Cilo stated that if the driveway was ever relocated a permit would have to be obtained from the County.

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

A motion was made by Mr. Strunk to grant Minor subdivision approval and Bulk Variance approval for an undersized lot was seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn, Vote: Strunk, Iwaniszyn, Parillo, Klingel, Artigliere - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

Break : 8:10 - 8:20

3. Ed Mark 31 - WTPB#2003-11 Minor Subdivision with a Variance application for Block 65, Lot 8.02 & 8.03. The application was deemed complete on November 19, 2003.

Public hearing:

Attorney Gruenberg stated that the Board has jurisdiction to proceed on the application. Attorney Gruenberg swore in Mr. Edward Rossi the applicant, the applicant was represented by Attorney A. Lowcher.

Attorney Lowcher presented Mr. Santowasso a professional planner and engineer as an expert witness for the applicant. Mr. Santowasso reviewed his credentials for the Board. Attorney Lowcher presented the following exhibits A-1, A-2, A-3.

Attorney Lowcher gave the board a brief view of the application and stated the applicant would like to propose a subdivision for two acres from lot 8.02 and merge it with lot 8.03 for his retail auto sales business. Attorney Lowcher stated by merging approximately two acres the applicant would comply with all of the bulk requirements for the zone and conditional use standards for an automobile retail facility. Attorney Lowcher stated that lot 8.03 is bounded on the south by a common driveway and bounded on the east by a fifty foot master plan roadway easement. Attorney Lowcher stated that lot 8.02 has a two hundred foot conservation easement.

Mr. Santowasso explained the paved common driveway to the Board.

Attorney Lowcher explained to the Board why the applicant must apply for a bulk variance. Attorney Lowcher stated because of lot depth created from the minor subdivision a bulk variance would now be required.. Attorney Lowcher reviewed relief sought with regard to hardships. Mr. Santowasso addressed Ms. Scarlett Doyle’s letter dated February 17, 2004.

Attorney S.Gruenberg reviewed conditional permitted uses in the HC zone. Mr. Santowasso concluded his testimony for the evening. The public hearing was scheduled to resume on March 10, 2004.

Public Comment and other Concerns:

There was no public comment at this time, the public hearing was closed.

Mayor Horensky introduced Mr.Joseph Dante of 12 Douglas lane to the board as a possible replacement for  alternate #2,  Mr. Dante will  be sworn in on March 10, 2004.

ADJOURNMENT: 10:00 p.m.

With no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Margaret Housman, Secretary
Washington Township Land Use Board