Category: PLANNING BOARD MEETINGS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE West Long Branch, NJ - August 29, 2011
NOTE: The minutes of this meeting may be corrected and/or amended by the Board and will be approved at the next regular meeting. The corrections and/or amendments will be reported in the minutes of the next regular meeting.
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING BOARD
OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST LONG BRANCH
July 12, 2011
The Regular Meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of West Long Branch was held on July 12, 2011, 7:30 PM in Borough Hall. Adequate notice of the meeting was published in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Law.
Members Present: Greg Aikins
Councilman Steven Cioffi
Richard Cooper, Jr
Kathy Elfner
Joseph Gallo
Herb Jensen
James Meola
Mayor Janet Tucci
Members Absent: None
Others Present: George Cieri, Esq.
Bob Stetz, P.E.
Lisa Norman, C.S.R.
REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The minutes of the June 14, 2011, regular meeting should be corrected as follows:
On page 4, eighth paragraph, second line, “provided” should be changed to “completed”.
Councilman Cioffi moved to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2011, regular meeting as corrected, seconded by Mr. Aikins and carried upon the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mr. Aikins, Councilman Cioffi, Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Elfner, Mr. Gallo,
Mr. Jensen, Mr. Meola, Mayor Tucci
NAYES: None
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Mr. Cooper reported that the budget for 2011 has been approved in the amount of $42,092, which is $2,000 less than 2010. A line item has been included for the completion of the Master Plan.
Mr. Cooper also reported that he received a letter from the Borough Clerk regarding the Governing Body’s Ordinance Review Committee. A question has been raised by the Committee if there should be modifications of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Cooper suggested that this matter should be brought up with the Planner for the September meeting, at which time the Board could review the recycling ordinance update. COAH should also be discussed at that time, as well as a discussion regarding the Re-examination Report, with or without COAH.
A copy of the 2010 New Residential Survey prepared by the Monmouth County Planning Board has been received for the Board’s perusal.
Mr. Stetz reported that applicant West Long Branch Shopping Center, Inc., 195-199 Wall Street, has requested a field change to their approved site plan. After some consideration, the Board will not approve a field change and instructed Mr. Stetz to inform applicant that they must present the change as an amended site plan.
MATTERS BEFORE THE BOARD
Emelan Properties, Block 14, Lots 9, 10, 852 Broadway – Preliminary and Final Site Plan (2011-05): Mr. Cieri recieved a faxed request from Jeffrey Resnikoff, Esq., attorney for applicant, requesting this matter be adjourned until the August 2011, regular meeting to allow applicant to revise plans.
Councilman Cioffi moved that the Board carry the matter to the August 9, 2011, meeting, seconded by Mr. Meola and carried upon the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mr. Aikins, Councilman Cioffi, Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Elfner, Mr. Gallo,
Mr. Jensen, Mr. Meola, Mayor Tucci
NAYES: None
Mr. Cieri will send a letter to Mr. Resnikoff confirming that applicant will waive all time limitations and that this matter will be carried to the August meeting.
Rt. 36 Farmers Market, Inc. – Block 67, Lot 8.01, Consumer Square Centre, Preliminary and Final Site Plan: Jack Spinella, Esq., and Anthony Davis, Esq., appeared on behalf of applicant.
Referring to the Board Engineer’s letter dated July 8, 2011, Mr. Spinella explained that the plans have been revised to include the roof mounted equipment, signage, cart corrals, and entrance door width as requested.
Addressing Mr. Jensen’s concerns regarding drainage and sewer system, Mr. Spinella informed the Board that the plans have been submitted to the Two River Sewerage Authority for approval.
Michelle Lee, previously sworn, continued testimony on behalf of applicant. Ms. Lee stated that trash pick-up will be increased to six times per week. All vegetative food waste items are picked up nightly by farmers to be used as animal feed. Nothing for on-site consumption will be sold. Crates are picked up for recycling approximately three times per week.
Matthew Kolan, Property Manager, Consumer Square Centre, was sworn in to testify on behalf of applicant. Mr. Kolan stated that the tenant will not be permitted to place containers in the rear of the complex.
Several of the Board members visited the Farmers’ Market location in Freehold, NJ, as suggested by Ms. Lee at the June 2011 meeting. The following comments were made:
Mayor Tucci stated that she was very disappointed in her visit to the Freehold store. Carts and plastic bags littered the parking lot. She is very concerned about this type of business in this shopping center.
Mr. Jensen stated that he was also very disappointed. When he looked out back he saw the wooden crates and trash overflowing. The smell was very bad and there were flies. Mr. Jensen commented that this situation seemed to be more than just one day. Although it was a small store, the shelves looked like they were not cleaned very well and were rusted.
Mr. Meola visited the site this morning and was also very disappointed. The dairy section was filthy, the floor was raw concrete, not washable, and covered with gum. He commented that he would not purchase items in this store.
Mr. Aikins confirmed that there was a cleanliness problem at the store. He saw vendors that were not affiliated with the store and questioned if different vendors are allowed under our ordinance. Mr. Meola replied that a different vendor would require a zoning permit and mercantile license. Mr. Aikins also expressed concern with the disposal of garbage, and felt that the food was not handled properly. It was Mr. Aikins’ opinion that the store was very unclean.
Mrs. Elfner asked whether a permit had been taken for the temporary sign currently on the store. Mr. Meola replied that no permit had been issued.
Councilman Cioffi stated that he will not go forward with this application until it is investigated further. He will contact the Health Department regarding this application.
Diane Mikovsky, Senior Tenant Coordinator for DDR Management, Consumer Square Centre, was sworn in to testify on behalf of applicant. Ms. Mikovsky stated that she was quite surprised about this situation and would not knowingly go into a lease documentation knowing this. She offered to host a field trip to other Farmers’ Markets if the Board so desired. She would not allow the stack of crates in the rear, and can present signed contracts for the cleaning. DDR would make sure that the property is maintained properly.
Mr. Cieri suggested the Board has the right to ask applicant for a very detailed maintenance plan which can be made a part of the resolution. Mr. Jensen also requested to see the plans for the renovation of the store.
Exhibits A-1, Preliminary and Final Site Plan; A-2, Floor Plan; A-3, Boundary Survey; A-4, Environmental Survey; and A-5, Applicant’s Response Letter dated June 30, 2011, were entered into evidence.
The meeting was opened to the public. There being no one wishing to speak, the meeting was closed to the public.
Councilman Cioffi moved to carry this matter to the August 9, 2011, regular meeting, applicant waives all time requirements, seconded by Mr. Jensen and carried upon the following roll call vote:
AYES: Mr. Aikins, Councilman Cioffi, Mr. Cooper, Mrs. Elfner, Mr. Gallo,
Mr. Jensen, Mr. Meola, Mayor Tucci
NAYES: None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent of the Board at 9:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane L. LaSalle