MAHWAH PLANNING BOARD
REGULAR/WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES – MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012
TOWNSHIP OF MAHWAH PLANNING BOARD
REGULAR/WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES
MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 475 CORPORATE DRIVE, MAHWAH, N.J.
MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012 AT 7:00 P.M.
I. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING STATEMENT, ROLL CALL, FLAG SALUTE
The combined public/work session meeting of the Planning Board of the Township of Mahwah held at the Municipal Building, 475 Corporate Dr., Mahwah, N.J. was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Mr. Sherer. The Opening Statement was read according to the Sunshine Law followed by the flag salute.
These minutes are a synopsis of the meeting. A verbatim audio recording is on file at the Planning Board Office, 475 Corporate Dr., Mahwah, N. J. Copies may be purchased for a fee.
The following individuals were present:
Mr. Sherer
Mayor Laforet
Mr. Donigian (at 7:10 p.m.)
Mr. Rudolph (at 7:25 p.m.)
Mr. Ervin
Mr. Jandris
Mr. Weixeldorfer
Ms. Stein
Professionals: Peter J. Scandariato, Esq., David Roberts, P.P., Michael Kelly, P.E.
The following individuals were absent:
Mr. Van Duren
Mr. Crean
Mr. Mordaga
II. APPROVAL OF BILLS:
Phillips Nizer, LLP (General) May 2012 $756.00
Phillips Nizer, LLP (Litigation) May 2012 $1,566.00
Motion to approve all bills was made by Mayor Laforet and seconded by Ms. Stein. A roll call of members present revealed 7 aye votes by Mayor Laforet, Mr. Donigian, Mr. Sherer, Mr. Ervin, Mr. Jandris, Mr. Weixeldorfer, and Ms. Stein.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 14, 2012
Motion to approve the minutes of May 14, 2012 was made by Mayor Laforet and seconded by Mr. Ervin. A roll call of members present revealed 6 aye votes by Mayor Laforet, Mr. Donigian, Mr. Sherer, Mr. Ervin, Mr. Weixeldorfer, and Ms. Stein
IV. RESOLUTION(S)
From June 11, 2012 Planning Board Meeting:
1) Amendment of Contract with Special Traffic Consultant Judd Rocciola, P.E., Rocciola Engineering, L.L.C., for Docket #535P Crossroads Developers Associates, L.L.C., for adoption.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Mr. Jandris and seconded by Mr. Donigian. A roll call of members present revealed 6 aye votes by Mayor Laforet, Mr. Donigian, Mr. Sherer, Mr. Ervin, Mr. Jandris, and Mr. Weixeldorfer.
2) Docket #541PF, Jay-Jay Holding Corp., Preliminary & Final Site Plan Approval , Block 63 Lot 8, 333 Route 17, for adoption.
At this time, Mr. Kelly clarified only 227 parking spaces were required.
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Mr. Ervin and seconded by Mr. Donigian. A roll call of members present revealed 7 aye votes by Mayor Laforet, Mr. Donigian, Mr. Sherer, Mr. Ervin, Mr. Jandris, Mr. Weixeldorfer, and Ms. Stein.
At this time, Mr. Sherer noted the following resolutions would be discussed in the Work Session. He then referred to Item No. V.
3) Resolution of the Township of Mahwah P/B Approving Development Fee Spending Plan
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Mr. Weixeldorfer and seconded by Mr. Donigian. A roll call of members present revealed 7 aye votes by Mayor Laforet, Mr. Donigian, Mr. Sherer, Mr. Ervin, Mr. Jandris, Mr. Weixeldorfer, and Ms. Stein.
4) Resolution of the Township of Mahwah P/B Review of Proposed Capital Project (N.J.S.A.40:55D-31) Affordable Housing Units 92-98 Ramapo Valley Road
Motion to approve the resolution was made by Mayor Laforet and seconded by Mr. Weixeldorfer. A roll call of members present revealed 7 aye votes by Mayor Laforet, Mr. Donigian, Mr. Sherer, Mr. Ervin, Mr. Jandris, Mr. Weixeldorfer, and Ms. Stein.
At this time, Mr. Sherer referred to Item No. VI.
V. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC – 15 MINUTES
Motion to open the meeting to the public was made by Mr. Jandris, seconded by Ms. Stein and declared unanimously carried by Mr. Sherer.
Lynne McLewin, Miller Road, expressed her concerns regarding traffic issues and the future Crossroads development. Mr. Scandariato advised any comments or questions should be addressed during the Crossroads hearing, as anything discussed outside of the hearing would not be part of the Crossroads hearing records. Ms. McLewin read her letter to Richard Dube, Manager of Major Access Permits for NJDOT, citing her concerns.
Allan Braggin, 25 Franklin Street in Ramsey, acknowledged the efforts of Ms. McLewin and noted the developer focused on profits. He urged the Board to hear various ideas set forth by the public.
Motion to close the meeting to the public was made by Mr. Ervin, seconded by Ms. Stein and declared unanimously carried by Mr. Sherer.
At this time, Mr. Sherer referred to Item No. VII. C).
VI. PUBLIC HEARING(S)
A) Docket 535P, Crossroads Developers Associates, LLC, Preliminary Site Plan Application, Block(s) 26 Lot(s) 2, 10 and 11, Block(s) 183 Lot(s) 1, 1 International Boulevard.
James Jaworski, Wells Jaworski & Liebman, appeared on behalf of the applicant and informed there would be no testimony given, as Boswell was reviewing the large environmental package. He also informed the DOT meeting had taken place 06/28/12, with representatives from the Township (Mr. Kelly, Judd Rocciola), DOT (Richard Dube, Christian Steven, Victoria Battaglia, Charles Miller, and Debbie Hirt), Crossroads Developers (Dan Disario, Tony DiGiovanni, and Mr. Jaworski), as well as Suburban Propane (Steven Reed and Chris Barretts) in attendance.
He explained DOT reviewed the application and made various suggestions for improvements; the applicant will resubmit with DOT’s suggestions. Mr. Jaworski noted the “Rocciola ramp” with entrance from Mountainside Avenue onto Route 17S would require environmental and topography studies, which the applicant would complete. He informed Debbie Hirt was going to set up a NJ-NY DOT meeting to discuss the Route 287-87-17 weave; he suggested the meeting take place in Mahwah.
Mr. Kelly informed Boswell’s report would be ready for the next Crossroads hearing. He also noted the NJDOT was concerned and aware of the Stag Hill Road entrance issues. In response to Mr. Jandris, Mr. Kelly confirmed they would discuss truck traffic as well.
Mr. Sherer confirmed the hearing would be carried to August 20, 2012. The applicant agreed to extend the time for decision by the Board through October 31, 2012.
VII. WORK SESSION:
A) COMMITTEE REPORTS
B) OLD BUSINESS
1. Copy of Resolution that was adopted by the Environmental Commission approving the Mahwah Environmental Resource Inventory for conformance with the Highlands Regional Master Plan.
C) NEW BUSINESS
1. Request for the Planning Board to approve the 2012 Amended Development Fee Spending Plan for the Township of Mahwah as part of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan approved by the Planning Board on May 24, 2010, (copy of Resolution attached)
2. Capital Project Review - Affordable Housing project at 92-98 Ramapo Valley Road.
Andrew Fede, Esq. Township Attorney, and Brian Campion, Township Administrator, appeared before the Board. Mr. Fede explained these resolutions would commit funding for affordable housing development and the land in question was donated to the Township specifically for this type of development. Approval would commit $1.2 million from the affordable housing fund and the Township would partner with Bergen County United Way to design and build the project. There were no current site plans for the development, but the State required a committal of the funds by 07/17/12 or the funding would revert back to the State.
In response to Ms. Stein, Mr. Campion explained the resolutions would amend the spending plan to include this property site in the list of potential affordable housing sites. He explained the Township worked with a developer for the past year and this was a good use of funds; all money for future construction would come from the affordable housing trust fund. Mr. Campion clarified adopting the resolutions would acknowledge this commitment of funding was an appropriate use of funds in addition to the property site inclusion. Mayor Laforet agreed this would be a good use of affordable housing funds.
In response to Mr. Donigian, Mr. Campion explained the funding, while committed for future use, is not dedicated to this site specifically. Therefore, if the property is not developed, the funding could be used for other properties similar to this (affordable housing development only). The property had not been fully acquired, but the acquisition contract was signed 06/21/12 and Phase I was “good” with two minor items for concern: an underground storage tank and the fill material used for the foundation need investigation. The Township has 90 days to complete Phase II.
Mr. Sherer referred to Item Nos. IV. 3) and IV. 4).
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. was made by Mr. Rudolph, seconded by Mr. Ervin and declared unanimously carried by Mr. Sherer.
Provided to the Planning Board on August 17, 2012 for approval at the Regular Meeting to be held
August 20, 2012
Donelle Bright
Planning Board Recording Secretary
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