Pittsgrove Township Environmental Commission

June 27, 2005 Meeting Minutes

1. The meeting was called to order by the chairman at 7:30 pm

2. The pledge to the Flag was given.

3. The Open Public Meetings Act Compliance Statement was given.

4. Attendance: Regular members Greg Hickson and Herb Wegner; alternate member Kevin Garrison and associate members Dave Hunt, Tom Figlio and Bob Widdifield. Also in attendance was Tom Hayes from the Economic Development Committee. Kevin Garrison was designated as a voting member.

5. The minutes of the May 23, 2005 meeting were approved upon motion by Greg Hickson, a second by Kevin Garrison and a unanimous vote.

6. Unfinished Business

Redevelopment Area - Attendees were advised that Dennis Miranda would be speaking at the June 28^th Township Committee meeting regarding environmental considerations relative to the redevelopment area. Bob Widdifield mentioned that the redevelopment area is now out of the hands of the Planning Board. The Township Committee will have to appoint a Redevelopment Authority to oversee the redevelopment efforts. Greg Hickson mentioned that eminent domain and the Fast Track Law were still considerations in the redevelopment decisions.

Farmland Preservation Planning Incentive Grant - Herb commented that the State had certified values for the farms submitted in the farmland preservation planning incentive grant area.

Subcommittee Reports.

Ordinance Review – Bob Morse had written a change to the ordinance for stream and watercourse setbacks. There were some changes to be made, after which the proposed change would be submitted to the Planning Board for consideration.

Site Plan Review

Assembly of God – Concerns were discussed regarding the amount of impervious cover due to the large building and parking lot. Water recharge from roof drains and surface run-off needed to be addressed. More time will be spent reviewing this site plan.

Liccardillo (Porchtown Road) - site plans were reviewed by Greg, Kevin and Tom Figlio. Concerns were discussed as follows:

Because the DEP has stated that the Barred Owl, Cooper’s Hawk and Eastern Box Turtle have been found within ¼ mile of the site, and because an Environmental Commission member has seen a Cooper’s Hawk flying out of the woods on the Liccardillo site, the Commission recommends that a thorough wildlife survey of threatened and endangered species be completed by a consultant chosen by the township and paid for by the applicant.

The site plan shows retention basins, which serve the entire development, are actually included in the lots of some of the homeowners. The Commission recommends that retention basins be excluded from individual lots.

Regarding the location of the open space resulting from clustering of the houses, the Commission recommends that the location of that open space parcel be selected to save the greatest amount of the largest trees, and if possible, to keep that portion of the open space contiguous with forested areas on adjacent properties.

Herb is to draft a letter to the Planning Board regarding the Liccardello subdivision and send it to Commission members.

7. New Business

Members were encouraged to attend the June 28^th Township Committee meeting.

Subcommittees were reminded to set meeting dates.

8. Issues before the Planning Board

Greg mentioned several applications that were up for discussion.

9. Communications – None

10. Member Comments – None

11. Public Comments – None

12. Greg Hickson moved to adjourn the meeting, Kevin Garrison seconded the motion. All approved.