Planning Board Minutes from 12/19/02
 
The meeting began with a reading of the Sunshine Law and the pledge of allegiance.� Roll call:� Present:� Mr. Westbrook, Mr. Beninati, Mr. Schlenker, Mr. Vitale, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Tripodi, Mr. Pugliese, Mr. LoForte, and Mr. Lepore.� Absent: Mr. Rappa, Mr. David, Mr. Rica.

COMMUNICATIONS:� Mr. Beninati read a letter from the Union County Division of Planning and Community Development has received the Site Plan Package for Dunkin Donuts and it was reviewed on December 11.�

RESOLUTIONS:� Application #15-02 for Evans, 105 Park Avenue, for add-a-level.� The applicant submitted new plans lowering the height of the house.� Vote in favor:� Mr. Beninati, Mr. Westbrook, Mr. Vitale, Mr. Loforte, and Mr. Lepore. Resolution approved.

Application #265 for Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins, 705 Boulevard, excluding the sign.� Final Resolution vote taken:� Mr. Beninati, Mr. Westbrook, Mr. Vitale.� Resolution approved.

Application #265, a sign for Dunkin Donuts---The architect from Bohler Engineering presented a computer-enhanced picture of the proposed sign at the corner of Michigan Avenue and the Boulevard.� The base is 7� and the 3� x 8� sign will be illuminated be a small spot light.� Dr. Disko said Mr. O�Brien (planner) and he had no objection to this size sign.� Mr. Beninati made an objection.� The attorney from Hale & Hale cited the Synergy and Kindercare signs.� He said it would not inhibit the view of the traffic when exiting the driveway.� The setback from the sign to the curb line is 30�.� The Union County Planning Board recommends the island be expanded in the driveway to restrict left-hand turns out of the lot.�

A vote was taken:� Yes:� Mr. Westbrook, Mr. Vitale, Mr. Schlenker, Mr. LoForte, and Mr. Lepore.� No:� Mr. Beininati, Mr. Schultz, and Mr. Pugliese.� Resolution for the sign granted and memorialized.

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OLD BUSINESS: Application #02-04 Petracca, 209-215 N. 16th Street for a Minor Subdivision.� Mr. Fruchter, attorney for Petracca, introduced Mr. Ed Deck, engineer.� The proposal is to remove an existing single-family house, keep an existing 2-family house, and move the lot lines to conform to three conforming lots.� Lot #3.02 will be 50 x 100, Lot #2.01 (with the 2-family existing house) will be 65 x 100, and Lot #3.01 will be 50 x 100.� On Lot # 2.01, the garage will be reduced by 1.5 feet.� Union County has no objection to this sub-division.� Mr. Westbrook asked if the parking could be an issue.� Mr. Deck said there will be a 12�wide driveway with the 2-car garage.� There is a pre-existing, non-conforming rear-yard setback behind the garage.� Mr. Vitale suggested the existing single-family house demolition be part of the variance.� Mr. Petracca agreed to do so (within a 3-year period).

Dr. Disko reviewed a report on this sub-division.� The duplex is a non-conforming use & structure.� The front yard has a 15� setback. By changing or moving the lot line, this triggers a �D-2� variance. Dr. Disko recommended the side yard conform to a 5� setback. There is a drainage issue. The existing rear yard and front yard setbacks need variance.� (A �D-2� variance, an expansion of non-conformance with an existing front and rear yard non-conforming setbacks.)

Ms. Parducci, 219 N. 16th Street, inquired about the proposed new house setbacks and parking.� Dr.Disko replied the setbacks and parking requirements are met.

�This is a continuation of last month�s hearing. Five votes of the 6 eligible voters are needed for a resolution. Mr. Vitale reviewed the proposal.�

Mr. Hunter, 221 N. 16th Street, asked about off-street and on-street parking.� Mr. Schlenker suggested the resolution state each house provide parking for four vehicles.� Dr. Disko suggested an 18� driveway be part of the resolution.�

These are the conditions to the proposed resolution:

1.          Two 18� driveways and two 2-car garages

2.          A water-retention review with Dr. Diskos approval�

3.          The existing single-family be demolished (within 3 years) before the new single-family dwellings be built

4.          The existing garage be moved by 1.5 feet from the lot line to conform to the 5� setback

5.          Approval of the prior 2-family front and rear yard non-conformance

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A motion to approve this resolution with these restrictions was made & 2nd.� Vote:� Yes:� Mr. Beninati, Mr. Westbrook, Mr Vitale, Mr. Pugliese, Mr. LoForte, and Mr. Lepore.� Mr. Schlenker and Mr. Schultz abstained because they were not present at the prior Planning Board review.� Resolution granted.

Application #17-02, Hannon, 308 Lincoln Drive, a cantilever encroaching 2� into front yard setback.� A vote was taken.� Yes:� Mr. Beninati, Mr. Westbrook, Mr. Vitale, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Schlenker, Mr. Pugliese, Mr. LoForte, and Mr. Lepore.� Resolution granted.

Application #271, Schering K-23 Office Conversion.� (Mr.Westbrook was excused from this hearing because he is a Schering-Plough employee.)� Mr.Barry Morrell said the building (a former Fed-Ex building warehouse owned by White Labs) at 251 S. 31st street will be two business offices owned by Schering (K-23).

Application #272, Schering K-10 expansion proposes a pedestrian bridge to separate production from non-production areas.�

Sworn in: Mr. Mike Steffner, Project Manager, will address the Dr. Disko report.� The existing building at 251 S. 31st street will have 215 new employees, currently having 50 employees, thereby requiring a 6 parking space variance. Not all of these employees are expected to be present at the same time.� Long term plans may include a training center, cafeteria, and office areas.� Some facade changes will be made (dock doors will be removed for windows).� Dr. Disko said this is an �I� zone, part of it in a flood-hazard zone. It is a positive impact on business in the area and recommends passing the application, granting the parking variance and fa�ade changes.� Mr. Beninati will write a letter to the building inspector to allow issuance of a permit before this resolution is memorialized. A vote was taken.� Yes:� Mr. Beninati, Mr. Vitale, Mr . Schultz,

Mr. Schlenker, Mr. Tripodi, Mr. Pugliese, Mr. LoForte, Mr. Lepore.� Resolution granted.

Application #272, for the Pedestrian bridge, connecting manufacturing to the K-10 office building.� The bridge will be 17�11� above grade.� A parking variance is requested and space is allocated for a possible future parking garage, if needed.� The bridge lighting will not be problematic.

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�The size: 95�6� long by 10�8� wide. Dr. Disko said the only variance needed is a 3-parking space variance. Mr. Beninati said any new additions should be aesthetically pleasing to the surrounding area.� A vote was taken:� Yes:� Mr. Beninati, Mr. Vitale, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Schlenker, Mr. Tripodi, Mr. Tripodi, Mr. Pugliese, Mr. LoForte, Mr. Lepore.� Resolution granted.

OTHER BUSINESS:� A motion was made to renew the existing Master Plan and asked Mayor Tripodi and Council to appoint a committee to suggest any revisions to the present Master Plan.� All in favor.

A motion to adjourn was made at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet M. Murphy,

Planning Board Recording Secretary

NOTE: RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING�JANUARY 9, 2003

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