TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
                                                                                     WARREN COUNTY
                                                                                     LAND USE BOARD

Municipal Offices                                                                                                                          350 Route 57 West
(908) 689-7209                                                                                                                           Washington, NJ 07882
                                                                                             MINUTES
                                                                                         JULY 11, 2007

Chairman K. Pflugh called the meeting to order at 7:34 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.

ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Mr. Howell, Mr. Elbassiouny (7:36), Mr. Artigliere, Mr. Klingel, Mr. Rossi, Mr. Iwaniszyn, Ms. Pflugh, Mr. Zaret, Mr. Vergos
Members Absent: Mayor Horensky, Mr. Bundschuh
Also Present: Attorney S. Gruenberg, Engineer W. Gleba, Planner S. Doyle

CORRESPONDENCE: A list was provided to the land use board members.

MINUTES: Minutes from the June 13th and June 27th meeting will be submitted at the July 25, 2007 meeting.

RESOLUTIONS:
1. J. Sanocki - WTPB#2007-08 - Resolution for a Minor Subdivision application with Variance relief for Block 45 Lot 2, 3 located at 21 & 23 McCullough Road.
Eligible to Vote: Horensky, Elbassiouny, Artigliere, Klingel, Iwaniszyn, Pflugh, Zaret, Vergos
A motion to approve was made by Mr. Vergos, seconded by Mr. Zaret, Vote: Vergos, Zaret, Artigliere, Klingel, Iwaniszyn, Pflugh - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

2. Finelli Consulting Engineers - WTPB#2007-12 - Resolution granting approval for an amended Minor Site Plan application for Block 30 Lot 6 located at 205 Rt. 31 North.
Eligible to Vote: Elbassiouny, Rossi, Horensky, Howell, Klingel, Pflugh, Vergos
A motion to approve the resolution with changes was made by Mr. Rossi, seconded by Mr. Vergos, Vote: Rossi, Vergos, Howell, Elbassiouny, Klingel, Pflugh - Ayes, 0 - Nay, 0 - Abstain, motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING & DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Benchmark Enterprises LLC - WTPB#2006-13 - Public hearing for a Sign Variance application for Block 22 Lot 3.16 located at 390 Route 57 West. This application has been rescheduled from the June 13, 2007 meeting. Attorney S. Gruenberg reviewed the additional advertising and stated the board had jurisdiction to proceed with the application.
The applicant was represented by Attorney J. Wiley.  Mr. Wiley stated unfortunately the principal has had a very serious heart attack therefore I have brought in Mr. Pecker for testimony tonight. Attorney S. Gruenberg swore in Mr. A. Pecker a principle,
Mr. Pecker briefly reviewed his credentials and was accepted as an expert witness.
Mr. Pecker stated he was approached by Benchmark Enterprises regarding the sign age for the shopping center. Mr. Pecker stated he was not the owner of the tract of land where the sign age was located. Mr. Pecker stated he would like to locate a sign on his own tract of land. Mr. Pecker stated the signs that are existing were put up in the last two years with zoning approval. Mr. Pecker reviewed the lot dimensions which he said resembles a flag lot.
Mr. Wiley submitted the following exhibits A-1 Revised drawing dated May 4, 2007, A-2 Color Sign detail dated March 28, 2007, B-1 Letter from Planner S. Doyle dated May 7, 2007, B-2 Letter from Engineer W. Gleba dated May 30, 2007.
Mr. Doyle clarified the issues before the board and the variances required were as follows, a variance for an additional sign on the shopping center, a variance for a sign less than 250' of road frontage and a 100' from the property line. Mr. Wiley stated the applicant has a right under an easement to use the sign for the tractor supply as it stands now, if the applicant is granted the requested relief they would give up their right to the easement for the other sign.
Mr. Artigliere addressed his concerns with a prior application, Mr Gruenberg explained the issue with the sign age for that site was addressed during the Tractor Supply application.
Mr. Wiley stated he did not see the information for the other application and reviewed the existing sign age.  Mr. Elbassiouny asked the applicant if they could work on their portion of the sign and come back, Mr. Pecker stated they could but their area on the sign is too small and the signs are important to these businesses. Mr. Pecker reviewed the site for the board and the tenant locations. Mr. Klingel stated he did not have a problem with the application because the tenants are so far away from the sign. Mr. Pecker reviewed the location of the bank sign and shop rite sign. Mr. Wiley stated he had no further testimony for the board and the applicant will comply with Mr. Gleba’s letter dated May 30, 2007 and the previously submitted letter from the board planner. Mr. Gleba suggested the board see the location of the sign as it is proposed. Mr. Gleba requested the applicant review the latest drawing for the board and himself showing the electrical. Mr. Pecker reviewed site distance for the  proposed sign age.

Public Questions: Mr. Frank Cregan 62 Merlin Drive.
Mr. Cregan asked the sign would help establish the business.
Mr. Pecker replied he would hope so.
Mr. Cregan stated that when you try to leave the shopping center it is not clear where the exits are, I like the idea of entrance and exit signs in lieu of the main signs.
No further public questions at this time or testimony
Mr. Pecker stated there would be a big difference from the proposed sign from the tractor sign.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by Mr. Zaret, seconded by Mr. Rossi, all ayes, motion carried. Attorney S. Gruenberg reviewed the application and variances for the board. Mr. Gruenberg stated the applicant has indicated they would comply with the correspondence of the board planner and engineer. Mr. Gruenberg reviewed the board’s options at this point. The board agreed they would like to hear additional testimony before a vote is taken, Mr. Wiley agreed the public hearing should be re-opened and adjourned to another date.
A motion to re-open the public hearing and adjourn it to another date was made by Mr. Zaret, seconded by Mr. Rossi, all ayes motion carried. The continuation of a public hearing for this application has been adjourned to October 10, 2007 with no further notice required and a time period extension.

2. M. Verdon - WTPB#2007-11 - Public hearing for a Variance application for Block 38.01 Lot 7 located at 36 Glen Eagles Road. The applicant did not appear and will be rescheduling to the due to a family emergency.

3. Chairwoman K. Plugh requested board members review check lists distributed by Planner S. Doyle.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Mr. J. Lombard of 21 Asbury Anderson Road.
Mr. Lombard asked when Unity Bank would be scheduled, Mr. Howell replied July 25, 2007. Attorney S. Gruenberg repeated the announcement for Unity Bank.
Mr. Lombard asked when J. Justo would be heard. Mr. Elbassiouny stated dates can change.
Mr. Lombard addressed his concerns with street signs, further development and empty stores in Washington and surrounding towns.

ADJOURNMENT: 9:35 p.m.
With no further business before the board and no further public comment offered the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Housman, Secretary