REGULAR
MEETING
Municipal
Bldg 530 West Hill Road Glen
The 783rd Regular Meeting of the
Notice of this meeting was provided for in the “Annual
Meeting Notice Schedule” adopted by this board on January 17, 2006, mailed to
the Hunterdon Review, Hunterdon County Democrat, Express Times, Courier News,
Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building on
February 14, 2006.
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:
Motion by Ms. Bleck and seconded by Ms. Schriver to
approve the minutes as presented. Unanimously approved.
RESOLUTION:
a. C&C Homes Block
#34
Extension
of Time to File Deeds
on a Minor Subdivision with conditions
Motion by Ms. Bleck and seconded by Mr. Piasecki to
approve the resolution for an Extension of Time to File Deeds for C&C
Homes.
ROLL CALL Yes: Mr. Gerlich Ms. Bleck No:
None
Mr.
Piasecki Mr. Schmidt
Mr.
MacQueen Ms. Schriver
LETTER OF INTENT FOR ALTERNATE BOARD
ENGINEER:
a. Jess Symonds,
Engr. -
Biggs Engineering
(Alternate Engr.)
After a brief discussion by the board, motion by Ms.
Schriver and seconded by Ms. Bleck to approve the contract for Alternate
Engineer Jess Symonds. Unanimously approved.
FYI:
NJDEP –
ORDINANCES BACK FOR COMMENT:
a. Ordinance 2006-04 COAH Development Fee Increased (originally scheduled for PH on
b. Ordinance 2006-05
Increase Planning Board Members to 9 Regular Members from 7 Members
Both Ordinances will have a Public Hearing for
Adoption on March 1, 2006
The board reviewed Ordinance 2006-05
and unanimously support the increase to 9 Regular Members and asked to
have this passed on to the Township Committee for the Public Hearing on March
1, 2006.
a. Stormwater Ordinance – Planner Bolan/Engineer Risse
Since Attorney DeChellis was not in attendance at this
time, the board decided to discuss the Stormwater Ordinance. Mr. Schmidt asked per the Stormwater
ordinance if it were too late to go back and change anything regarding the
Planner Bolan stated the comment that was made at the
last meeting from Mr. Rich about the application for minor development. Planner Bolan didn’t know if Engineer Risse
has had a change to review this. One of
the reasons the ordinance was done this way is because there are no
quantitative Stormwater Management Standards in our ordinance. This is why we wanted to put in one that
applies to minor development. Under the
Stormwater Regulations, you only have to deal with major development. Planner Bolan stated this is why we set up
this process of exempt which is defined as less then a 1000 square feet of new
impervious coverage or less than 2500 square feet of disturbance and minor is
1000 sq. feet of impervious coverage and 2500 sq. feet of disturbance up to
what the ¼ acre of impervious coverage and 1 acre of disturbance. Planner Bolan stated that we set up two
categories. If the board chooses not to
have a category on minors then we can just go with major development. Planner Bolan said that he and Engineer Risse
thought having two standards would be better.
Planner Bolan stated that 1 acre of property disturbance and 10,000
square feet of impervious coverage is a lot.
It can create a lot
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of water running off a property.
Planner Bolan’s other comment was putting this into an
ordinance format and trying to simplify it.
Engineer Risse stated that since we do not have a Stormwater Management
Ordinance to begin with we thought it would be better to be thorough. Planner Bolan agreed. Planner Bolan said the format that the
ordinance is in, is a good one. Mr.
Piasecki asked about bumping up the exempt higher referring to Mr. Rich’s comments
at the last meeting. Planner Bolan
agreed with the suggestion. Engineer
Risse suggested 5000 square feet of impervious coverage which is half of a
major development and ½ acre of disturbance which is half of a major
development. The board discussed this
issue and agreed with the recommendation.
Mr. Schmidt referred to a problem that had come up at a Board of
Adjustment regarding drainage and water runoff and the impervious coverage and
if it hadn’t been for the neighbors informing the board of all the problems, no
one would have known about them. Once
the board was informed they were able to address the issues with the board
engineer.
Planner Bolan stated in the applicability section the
board can say it applies to any Site Plan or Subdivision regarding any site plan review or any
development that disturbs more than ½ acre use the same as in minor development
or results in impervious coverage of 5000 square feet or more or disturbs more
than ½ acre. It would than make it more
generally applicability in general terms.
Planner Bolan stated under Section I in the Ordinance Applicability it
states: It shall be applicable for any
Site Plan or Subdivision. If you have a
Variance Application that doesn’t involve a subdivision and residential then it
is inapplicable. We are trying to close
the loop hole by making it applicable to the same things that apply to minor
development the 5000 sq. feet impervious coverage and ½ acre of
disturbance. It was suggested that this
be brought up at the Board of Adjustment meeting tomorrow evening. Planner Bolan informed the board that he will
be at that meeting. Mr. Schmidt referred
to Page 11, #1 of the ordinance and asked what is pervious
paving.
Planner Bolan said there is a grade of asphalt that is
considered pervious paving compared to impervious paving which means there is
more void space in the surface layer.
Planner Bolan gave an example of pervious paving.
Chairman MacQueen asked if there were any other
questions of the Planner and Engineer.
There were none. Chairman
MacQueen announced that the board will now hear the application of
NEW BUSINESS:
c/o
2026 Route 31
North
Glen Gardner, N.J.
08826
PUBLIC HEARING Amend
Site Plan – Request to change location of Fire
(Memo from Engr Risse –
Attorney Gallina announced that the notices are in
order noting that Taxes are Paid but any approval will
include a copy of the certification from the Tax Collector. The following items were marked into
evidence: A1-Affadavit of Proof of Service, A2-Certified List of Property Owners, A3-Notice to Property Owners, A4-POD
Slips, A5-
Newspaper Publication.
Attorney DeChellis was present along with Engineer
Symonds to represent the applicant.
Attorney DeChellis stated they are present tonight to amend the
application to move the fire tank within the building envelope and to withdraw
the request to install a concrete tank and to install a fiberglass tank as
required by ordinance. Chairman MacQueen
asked Ms. Jacobus for confirmation that taxes have been paid. Ms. Jacobus confirmed and will have written
confirmation tomorrow from the Tax Collector.
Attorney Gallina noted that this can be a condition of any approval
granted by the board.
Attorney DeChellis stated that presently the location
of the tank is on the gas pipeline easement.
This is why the fire tank is being relocated. Chairman MacQueen asked Engineer Risse for
his comments. Engineer Risse stated that
the plans he has before him show a concrete tank to be installed. Engineer Risse was under the impression that
the tank would be a fiberglass tank, not a concrete tank. Chairman MacQueen asked if the Fire Chief
would be present this evening to testify.
Attorney DeChellis answered stating that he did not think it was
necessary. Engineer Risse stated there
should be testimony as to how this location is suitable. Attorney Gallina read from the ordinance
which states: “tank location for non-residential development shall be
determined by the Township Fire Official, Township Fire Chief and the
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3
Attorney DeChellis questioned the wording for the
easement. Attorney Gallina explained the
wording that would be needed in the description. Mr. Piasecki expressed concern regarding
future building and activates on the site.
Attorney Gallina stated the fire tank would be located in proximity to
an access road. Engineer Risse answered
yes accordingly to the plan. Attorney
Gallina said this means it has to stay opened and un-obstructive. Mr. Piasecki asked about the specifications
for the tank. Attorney Gallina said that
the board would need a revised set of plans since there are so many different
sets as of now. Chairman MacQueen asked
Attorney Gallina for his input at this time.
Attorney Gallina stated the applicant has to have the Fire Official and
Fire Department to agree that the location is good. The board can make this a condition of
approval. Chairman MacQueen asked the
board for comments. Ms. Bleck asked
about the concrete tank and wanted to know if the location change was due to the
gas lines. Attorney DeChellis stated the
location of tank is being changed. Ms.
Bleck asked if there are any plans that show where the gas line is
located. Attorney DeChellis noted that
the new location is not near the gas line as far as we know. Planner Bolan referred to pages 2 & 3 of
the site plan. Attorney Gallina asked
for the correct name of the business.
Per Attorney DeChellis the name is:
At this time, Attorney DeChellis had the Site Plan
marked into evidence. A6-Site Plan dated 12/27/05, revised
Chairman MacQueen asked for questions from the public
of the witness. There were none. Chairman MacQueen asked to have Construction
Official Charlie Rogers sworn in. Mr.
Rogers asked when is this going to be done if it is approved. Attorney DeChellis stated the fire tank was
ordered around the end of January. Mr.
Rogers asked for the date of installation.
Attorney Gallina asked Attorney DeChellis for a date of
installation. Attorney DeChellis stated
the tank would be delivered with 4-6 weeks and as soon as the tank is delivered
it will be installed. Attorney DeChellis
said installation would be within 6 months.
Chairman MacQueen suggested May 1st. Attorney DeChellis noted that would not be 6
months. Attorney Gallina suggested a
time table and if there was a problem meeting the time, the applicant could
come back to the board if something unforeseen came up. Attorney DeChellis stated they have no
control over when the tank would be delivered.
Mr. Piasecki asked how long would it take to install once
delivered. Attorney DeChellis answered
stating he did not know. Mr. Piasecki
suggested a 2 week window once the tank was delivered for the
installation. Mr. Rogers informed the
board the building addition is considered an unsafe structure. Chairman MacQueen asked about the status of
the CO. Mr. Rogers informed the board
that a CO has not been issued and there is no TCO at this time. Mr. Rogers stated that once the tank is
installed and approved a CO can be issued.
Also, the only thing keeping Mr. English from receiving a CO is the lack
of the fire tank being installed. Mr.
Piasecki asked about the consequence of not having a CO. Mr. Rogers stated that a notice of violation
had been issued and the applicant appeared before the Construction Board of
Appeals. Mr. Rogers stated the bottom
line is Mr. English has to get the fire tank installed.
Attorney DeChellis told the board that they filed this
application in November and was never informed about a hearing date until the
end of January. Chairman MacQueen stated
that was not how it happened.
Mr. Piasecki noted that the plans are dated December 27,
2005. Attorney Gallina added that the
plans were requested because of the tank being moved to another location. Chairman MacQueen asked if the board had any
additional questions and if Attorney DeChellis had any questions. There were none. When opened to the public there were no
questions. There were no questions from
Planner Bolan. Engineer Risse asked if
the request is strictly for the re-location of the tank and installation. Engineer Risse noted there are different
names of tenants and different features on the site that are shown on the
plans. Mr. Piasecki asked if there was a
procedure for the inspection of the tank installation. Engineer Risse stated that would be spelled
out in the resolution. Attorney Gallina
asked who oversees the installation of the tank. Engineer Risse stated his office and the Fire
Official. Mr. Schmidt asked how much
gravel for the bed is laid out. Engineer
Risse answered pea gravel is used. It is
all in the NFPA what has to been done regarding the installation of the tank.
Chairman MacQueen opened the hearing to the public for
questions of the board’s Planner and Engineer.
There were none. The hearing was
now opened for statements and comments by the public. Robert Taggert of Tree Cycle, who is a tenant
at the Davara site, was sworn in to give testimony. Mr. Taggert stated that they are presently
working on their Fire Plan with using the standpipe for the pond and informed
his engineer that a 30,000 gallon tank was going to be installed. His engineer wanted to know if
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there were any problems that they are not aware of with the
pond and standpipe from preventing Tree Cycle from using the pond in their fire
plan. Attorney Gallina informed Mr.
Taggert when Davara came
before the board last September, they were
informed that they had to install the fire tank per the ordinance and were not
permitted to just have the pond as a water source. Mr. Taggert stated that during the fire
they had last September, he asked the Fire Chief if there were another fire,
what would he hook up to, a fire tank or the standpipe for the pond. The Fire Chief informed him he would hook up
to the standpipe. Attorney Gallina
stated that when Davara came back in last fall the board informed them they had
to install the fire tank per the ordinance.
Attorney Gallina informed Mr. Taggert that it was part of the approval
of Davara regarding the size of the building that was to be constructed at the
time. Chairman MacQueen stated that per
our ordinance a fire tank is to be installed.
Also, the standpipe that had been installed was done without any inspections. Mr. Gerlich stated that the standpipe had no
approvals and because of the lack of inspections and approval, it is not
recognized for being a proper installation.
The board discussed this issue at length during their
deliberations. Mr. Piasecki noted that
the tank was to be delivered within 4-6 weeks and the 2 weeks for installation
was reasonable. Mr. Piasecki suggested
having a deadline of 8 weeks to keep this on a short leash, since it has been
way too long from the original approval.
Mr. Gerlich felt it was critical that the tank be installed. Mr. Gerlich commented on having the fire tank
so close to the pond, concentrating all the fire protection in one location, it
would make more sense to separate them around on the site for better coverage,
but also noting that the pond is not recognized for fire protection. Ms. Bleck noted that we have a lot of issues
and that they should be spelled out very clearly. Ms. Bleck went over some of the items that
need to be addressed noting Mr. Piasecki’s comment regarding the serious time
frame for installation. Engineer Risse
stressed the importance of an updated set of plans reflecting exactly what is
to take place and per the Fire Protection Ordinance. Mr. Piasecki noted that the details to the
plan has never been done and the representation this evening was they would do
what was originally approved before, but we never got the details that we
needed from the last time. Chairman
MacQueen asked the applicant how long will it take for the board to get a
complete set of updated plans with the total details of the fire tank and installation
of the fire tank, showing the gas line ROW, all the details and signage. Engineer Symonds stated that the ordinance
conflicts with what the fire department wants.
Engineer Risse suggested that Engineer Symonds meet with the Fire Chief
and go over everything. Chairman
MacQueen stated they have 30 days to get the plans updated/amended with all the
items that were just spelled out and have it submitted to the board. Also within the 30 days we need a letter from
the Fire Chief/Fire Official stating their approval of the location of the fire
tank and the installation being proposed.
If there is a problem with the delivery of the fire tank, the board is
to be notified. Chairman MacQueen stated
8 weeks from today is April 18th and is also a meeting night for the
board. Mr. Piasecki suggested that we
should get something in writing from the manufacturer if there is a delay
having the tank delivered. It was noted
that all prior conditions are to be included in this resolution.
Motion by Mr. Gerlich and seconded by Ms. Schriver to
approve the amended Site Plan for the relocation of the fire tank with the
following conditions:
a. Obtain approvals
from any outside agencies having jurisdiction as required
b. Submit within 30
days a letter from the Fire Chief and
Fire Official approving the new location
of the fire tank.
c. Board Engineer to
review topography to make sure it is appropriate and to let board know
if there are any problems
d. Comply with the
Fire Protection Ordinance including but not limited to the furnishing necessary
easement document, showing the appropriate signage on the
plans
e. Submit a revised
set of plans showing the appropriate tank specifications, details and tank
installation and construction details to be submitted
according to the fire protection
ordinance and
submitted within 30 days.
f. Have a
consultation with the Fire Official and Fire Chief regarding the tank
specification
and details
g. Submit in writing
that taxes are paid and current on the property from the Tax Collector
h. The installation
of the tank will be overseen by the Township Fire Official, Fire Chief and
Township Engineer
i. The fire tank to
be installed by
in regard to the problem and to supply any documentation
from the manufacturer as to why
the tank has not been delivered.
j. All prior
conditions from previous site plan approvals will apply
k. Submit a
construction schedule for installation with 48 hours advance notice prior to
construction
in order to schedule inspections to the Board Engineer and
Fire Official.
l. Upon completion,
a report is to be issued to the Construction Official and copied to the
Planning
Board.
ROLL CALL Yes: Mr. Gerlich Ms.
Bleck No: None Absent: Mr. Weeks
Mr. Piasecki Mr.
Schmidt Mr.
Rich
Mr.
MacQueen Ms. Schriver Mr.
Spatz
Attorney Gallina will prepare the
resolution to be placed on the agenda of March 21, 2006.
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Attorney DeChellis asked about having the $250.00
application fee being applied to the Escrow Account. Attorney Gallina and Chairman MacQueen
informed Attorney DeChellis to contact Ms. Glashoff regarding the $250.00.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
b. Jack McDougal
would like to be scheduled to discuss Affordable Housing
The board asked that Mr. McDougal be contacted to see
if he is available to attend the Planning Board Meeting on March 7th. Ms. Jacobus will pass this on to Ms. Glashoff
for her to contact Mr. McDougal.
c. Tree Ordinance –
Upcoming Meeting
d. Fire Protection
Ordinance – Upcoming Meeting
Both these ordinances will be scheduled shortly.
Chairman MacQueen informed the board that he attended
the Budget Meeting recently with Ms. Glashoff to discuss our budget for
2006. At the meeting, the subject of
COAH was discussed, wanting to know why we need to have monies available. Planner Bolan stated that in speaking to Ms.
Glashoff, she and Mr. MacQueen were informed that since we have already taken
care of our COAH obligation, why does money need to be budgeted for 2006. Planner Bolan informed the board, that a
letter from COAH will be forthcoming telling us we are incomplete. Since we are having Mr. McDougal come in before the board to discuss affordable housing,
professional input will be needed. Our
obligation with COAH isn’t over just because we submitted a plan on December
19, 2005.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS & REPORT:
a. John Gallina,
Esq. $486.20
Motion by Ms. Bleck and seconded by Ms. Schriver to
approve the bills as presented. Unanimously approved.
CORRESPONDENCE:
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – no comments
from the public.
Mr. Schmidt asked if the Fire Official Gary Apgar does
inspections to see that the tank is full of water. Planner Bolan stated that it is the
responsibility of the Fire Department to make sure that the tank is full of
water.
Being no further business to come before the board, nor comments from the public, motion by Ms. Bleck and
seconded by Mr. Piasecki to adjourn the meeting at
___________________________________________
CHAIRMAN GARY MACQUEEN
_________________________________________________
GAIL W. GLASHOFF, PLANNING BOARD CLERK
Ms. Glashoff prepared the minutes