PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD

APRIL 6, 2004

 

Meeting Time: 7:30 pm – 11:05 pm

 

The regular meeting of the Planning Board of Pittsgrove Township was held on April 6, 2004 in the Municipal Building Courtroom. The meeting was called to order; compliance with the Open Meeting Act made and Flag Salute was lead by the Chairman Gregory Hickson.

 

Regular members present were: Gregory Hickson, Frank Pace, Mayor Peter Voros, Linda DuBois, Robert Ternay, Nicholas Mesiano, Donald Garrison and Sheila Benson.

 

Alternate members present were: Kevin Foster, Christine Seeney and Kenneth Shelton, Jr.  

 

         Members absent were: Charles Hughes and Tanya Davis.

 

Planning Board Solicitor Gary Salber, Planning Board Engineer Mark Brunermer and Secretary Nancy Huster were also present.

 

DESIGNATE ALTERNATES TO VOTE

 

         The Chairman designated Alternate #1, Kevin Foster to vote.

 

MINUTES

 

MARCH 17, 2004

 

         On a motion by Frank Pace and seconded by Donald Garrison the minutes of the March 17, 2004 meeting were approved as submitted. All were in favor.

 

ESCROW FEE DETERMINATION

NO BUSINESS

 

APPLICATIONS

 

CLIFTON HITCHNER – MINOR SUBDIVISION – WILLOW GROVE ROAD, BLOCK 202, LOT 57 – NO NEW LOTS PROPOSED (LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT)

 

         Present for the application was Clifton Hitchner and his son Clifton Hitchner Jr.

 

         The board noted that as per the Planning Board Engineer’s review letter all required items have been completed.

 

         On a motion by Robert Ternay and seconded by Donald Garrison the application for a lot line adjustment was approved as follows:

 

1.     Deeds for the adjusted lots must be submitted for review and approval by the Planning Board Engineer and Solicitor prior to execution by the Chairman and Secretary.

2.     Corner markers must be set.

 

Roll Call Vote:  All were in favor.

 

 DAVID & JOYCE KRAMER - MINOR SUBDIVISION - PALATINE ROAD, BLOCK 1203, LOT 50 – ONE NEW LOT PROPOSED

 

         The applicant Mr. and Mrs. Kramer were present along with their Engineer John Bickel.

 

         The board discussed the Planning Board Engineer’s review letter dated March 26, 2004.

 

         The board debated whether or not an agricultural buffer should be required on the seven acre parcel.

 

         A motion was made by Linda DuBois to waive the planting of trees in the agricultural buffer as long as the new lot remained in farmland assessment.  The motion was not seconded.

 

         A motion was made by Nicholas Mesiano to waive all requirements of an agricultural buffer.  The motion was not seconded.

 

         On a motion by Frank Pace and seconded by Peter Voros the minor subdivision creating one new lot was approved as follows:

 

1.     Deeds for the adjusted lots must be submitted for review and approval by the Planning Board Engineer and Solicitor prior to execution by the Chairman and Secretary.

2.     Corner markers must be set.

3.     A deed restriction is required to include a condition that only one dwelling can be constructed on the new lot.

4.     The agricultural buffer line is to be corrected on the plan to include a 100’ buffer where the new lot adjoins farm assessed property. The restrictions including requirement of planting of vegetation in the buffer is waived and will only be required upon loss of the agricultural assessment.

 

         Roll Call Vote: All were in favor.

 

HARRY & ARLENE PADDEN  RAINBOW CIRCLE, BLOCK 1512, LOT 75 – BULK VARIANCE APPLICATION FOR ADDITION TO HOME THAT DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIRED SIDE YARD SETBACKS

 

         Harry Padden was present with no other representatives.

 

         The board reviewed the Planning Board Engineer’s letter regarding the variance dated March 10, 2004 and discussed the proposal for a variance to construct an addition to the existing home 17’ from the side setback whereas 30’ is required.

 

         A neighbor, Paul Eachus spoke on behalf of the applicant stating his approval of the variance which he felt would have no negative effect.

 

         On a motion by Frank Pace and seconded by Robert Ternay the variance was granted subject to the following:

 

         1. Roof drains must be installed as per the Engineer’s requirements.

 

         Roll Call Vote: All were in favor.

 

WILLIAM SCHMIDT – ALMOND ROAD, BLOCK 1801, LOT 32 – BULK VARIANCE APPLICATION FOR ADDITION TO HOME THAT DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIRED SIDE YARD SETBACKS

 

         The applicant was present with no other representatives.

 

         The Planning Board Engineer’s letter regarding the variance was reviewed by the board.

 

         The application proposes an addition to an existing home requiring a side yard variance from 40’ to 24.1’.

 

         Mr. Schmidt stated he might increase the size of the addition to 28’ in the rear of the property which will not require a variance or have any impact on the side yard variance requested.

 

         On a motion by Frank Pace and seconded by Christine Seeney the variance as stated in paragraph three above is approved.

 

         Roll Call Vote: All were in favor.

        

RESOLUTIONS

 

MINOR SUBDIVISION (LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT, NO NEW LOTS) – SAMUEL CRYSTAL – BLOCK 2004, LOT 33, CRYSTAL ROAD – APPROVED 3/2/04

 

         On a motion by Peter Voros and seconded by Linda DuBois the word “substantially” in paragraph 5. shall be removed.  All were in favor.

 

         On a motion by Linda DuBois and seconded by Peter Voros the resolution stated above was adopted as revised.  All were in favor.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

LAND PRESERVATION

 

         Herbert Wegner reported on the status of the Planning Incentive Grant which is currently being reviewed by the County.

 

         The Township will be starting an Environmental Commission to consist of seven people. In addition to other responsibilities the commission will review site plans.

 

         Mr. Wegner explained the process of obtaining farmland assessment stating that it is a two to three year process. He commented that farm assessed property should not need an agricultural buffer from adjoining farm assessed property.

 

REDESIGNATION OF LANDIS AVENUE - JIM SHUSTER, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Initial Discussion 2/3/04

 

         Jim Shuster from the Economic Development Committee was present requesting volunteers for a subcommittee to meet with the economic development committee.

 

         Kevin Foster, Frank Pace and Gregory Hickson volunteered for the sub-committee.  Other members of the committee will be Jim Shuster, Maxine Hargus and Ramona Pontelandolfo.

 

         The sub-committee will meet with the Professionals who submitted a resume and estimate to prepare the redevelopment needs assessment.

 

         Mark Brunermer suggested that eligibility is investigated prior to retaining professionals.

 

PROPOSED ORDINANCE – SOIL PROTECTION DRAFT TO BE PREPARED BY HARRY DARE – Initial Discussion 2/3/04

 

         The ordinance was distributed to the planning board members to review for the next meeting.

 

ADOPT A ROAD PROGRAM – ROAD ADOPTED 8/99 –LAST ROAD CLEANING WAS 3/28/04 – next cleaning due 7/04 (four times a year)

 

         The cleaning of McKishen Road was completed by Robert Ternay, Frank Pace, Linda DuBois and Mayor Voros.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION (IF REQUIRED)

 

A motion was made by Frank Pace and seconded by Robert Ternay to close this portion of the meeting to the public to discuss pending litigation.  All were in favor.

 

The minutes of the executive session will be made available for public review with respect to matters involving litigation after said litigation has been resolved and all periods of appeal have expired and with respect to other matters within (90) days.

 

On a motion by Robert Ternay and seconded by Frank Pace the executive session was closed and the meeting was opened to the public.  All were in favor.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

         There being no further business the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Peter Voros and seconded by Frank Pace.  All were in favor.

 

 

________________________

Nancy L. Huster

Land Use Administrator