PLANNING BOARD – BOROUGH OF NORWOOD

PLANNING BOARD – BOROUGH OF NORWOOD

REGULAR MEETING – AUGUST 18, 2005

The Regular Meeting of the Norwood Planning Board convened at 8:06PM with Vice-Chairman Demetrios Milliaressis presiding. Follo= wing the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Milliaressis announced that the meeting is conducted in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act and indicated the exit locations as required by law.

INFORMAL APPEARANCE

Block 156, Lot = 16 – 20 Fourth Street

Minor Subdivision

Attorney John Manfredonia= , Cresskill, NJ came forward representing Peter and Catherine Croce in a preliminary appear= ance to discuss minor subdivision checklist requirements. Mr. Manfredonia explained that the Croces’ propose to convey a 2,275 square foot parcel of land to their neighbor. Since no developmen= t is involved and no variances required, Mr. Manfredonia suggested that the board waive several of the more stringent subdivision checklist requirements such= as a topographic survey. Followi= ng discussion the board agreed that, since this is not a complex application, = the applicant submit a minor subdivision application and boundary survey showing the proposed subdivision; notice is not required. Final approvals require an enginee= red metes and bounds description.

INFORMAL APPEARANCE

Block 91, lot 1 – 575 Broadway

Change in Signage – Gulf Station

No one came forward repre= senting the applicant is this matter.

ROLL CALL=

The following board members= were present: Joseph Ascolese, Ms. Guercio, Mr. Sklow, Mr. Milliaressis, Mayor Kaplan, Councilman Altenbach, Joseph L. Ascolese, Mr. Jacobs, and Mr. Lamp. Mr. Gallagher and Mr. S= avalia were absent from this meeting.

Board Attorney Robert Regan= was present at this meeting as were Dan Vechesky and, Joseph Neglia from the Bo= ard Engineer’s office.

SUBDIVISION APPLICATIO #705

Also heard on 4/21/05 &a= mp; 6/16/05

Block 120, Lots 20 & 21 – Summit Street

Eastern Allied Construction Co.

Attorney David Watkins, <= st1:place w:st=3D"on">Closter, NJ came forward representing the applicant and requested that the board carry = this matter until the September meeting because the Governing Body has adopted a zoning ordinance and he has filed a lawsuit regarding same. In the meantime, applicant intends to revise plans in accordance with the new ordinance resulting in a decrease of one lot and compliance with zoning ordinances including the most recent. At= torney for the opposition, Mark Winter commented that his clients have no objection and would like to see the new plan upon completion. Mr. Watkins agreed to provide noti= ce to the public before the next meeting.

SITE PLAN APPLICATION #711

Also heard 2/17/05, 4/21/05= & 6/16/05

Block 100, Lots 10 & 11 – Livingston Street

Norwood Plaza, LLC

Attorney David Watkins ca= me forward representing the applicant in this matter and commented that applic= ant has submitted new drainage calculations to the Board Engineer as requested during the previous meeting.

Michael Hubschman, previo= usly sworn and qualified as an expert witness in engineering matters, came forwa= rd for additional testimony. He testified that plans have been revised (Exhibit A-4) and are pending review= by Mr. Neglia’s office. Following test pit results that indicated clay soil, the drainage sy= stem has been changed from a seepage pit to an underground pipe storage system.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Because of drainage problems in the area, size is

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PAGE TWO, AUGUST 15, 2005=

&n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; Norwood Plaza= , LLC Continued=

150-200 percent greater t= han previously and designed in accordance with state standards. Pending review by Neglia Engineeri= ng, Mr. Hubschman agreed to comply with all reasonable requests.

As suggested by the board= and neighbors, applicant has relocated the dumpster area to the southwest corne= r of the property, shifted the parking lot in order to increase the residential buffer to seven feet, and provided an eight-foot fence with guardrail in or= der to shield and protect the adjoining property. Relocation of the dumpster a= rea eliminates one parking space bringing the total to thirty-six.

Additional discussion too= k place concerning drainage, and Mr. Neglia commented that his office has not yet h= ad the opportunity to review the revised plan, and that since applicant propos= es drainage into Livingston S= treet, county approval is also required.

Concerning landscaping at= the rear of the property, applicant proposes twelve white pines and arbor vitaes along the northwest property line. Mr. Watkins agreed to provide landscaping based on reasonable reques= ts of the Environmental Commission and/or Shade Tree Committee. As concerns the proposed Livingston Street Beautification Plan, Mr. Watkins agreed to consu= lt with Neglia Engineering regarding cost of improvements.

Mr. Regan, Mr. Watkins, a= nd Mr. Hubschman reviewed the variances required as follows:

&n= bsp; Impervious Coverage – 80% Maximum & 87.2% Proposed

&n= bsp; Parking to Residential Zone – 10’ Required & 4’ Proposed

&n= bsp; Minimum Parking Spaces – 54.5 Required & 37 Proposed

Other matters under consi= deration as follows:

&n= bsp; Cooperation with Environmental Commission & Shade Tree Committee

&n= bsp; No restaurant use without approval

&n= bsp; Compliance with Livingston Street Beautification Plans

&n= bsp; Board Engineer approval of drainage calculations

Following discussion, Mr.= Watkins agreed to provide a monument type sign that meets with the approval of the Board Engineer and to provide colonial type street lighting within the park= ing lot with Livingston Street fixtures matching the proposed streetscape plan.

As there was no further c= omment or question from board members, it was moved and seconded to open the meeti= ng to the public.

C. “Chubby” B= occhino, (previously sworn) 455 Liv= ingston Street came forward and commented that he is concerned with compounding an already existing parking problem on Livingston Street.

Councilman Tom Brizzolara, (previously sworn) 320 High Street, came forward and commented on the exist= ing water problems in the area and the proposed landscaping linking the parking= lot and adjoining residential properties. Mr. Watkins agreed to adhere to the preference of the residential property owners (lots 5, 8 and 9.01) concerning the landscaping; Councilman Brizzolara agreed to liaison between the parties involved. As pertains to the drainage, Mr. Ne= glia commented that the proposed revision should improve the existing problem as= is required by the state.

Mr. Bocchino came forward= with additional questions and comment relating to drainage.

Mr. Farr, (previously swo= rn) 180 Hudson Avenue came forward and remarked that he is experiencing parking problems on Hudson Avenue that effect his driveway. Mayor Kaplan suggested that he communicate his concerns to the Governing Body so they might include same in a continuing discussion concer= ning parking on Hudson Street. Mr. Farr also offered his approval of the eight-foot fenc= e shielding his property from the parking lot. <= /span>

PAGE THREE, AUGUST 15, 2005

Norwood Plaza= , LLC Continued=

As no one else came forwa= rd, it was moved, seconded and voted to close the meeting the meeting to the publi= c.

Mr. Watkins advised that = he has no other witnesses and waived summation.

The board expressed reser= vation concerning the number of parking space(s) variance that is required and the positive aspects of this application including the start of the Livingston Street Beautification Program.<= o:p>

RESOLVED: = Mayor Kaplan offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Altenbach, to approve Application #711.

ROLL CALL VOTE: Joseph Ascolese, Ms. Guercio, Mr. Sklow,= Mr. Milliaressis, Mayor Kaplan, Councilman Altenbach, Joseph L. Ascolese, and M= r. Jacobs voted yes. Mr. Lamp vo= ted no.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Special Meeting 7/20/05

Regular Meeting 7/21/05

A motion was offered and = seconded to accept the minutes of the July 20, 2005 Special Meeting and the July 21, 2005 Regular Meeting. All vot= ed yes.

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

A motion was offered and = seconded to approve the following vouchers for payment:

&n= bsp; Neglia Engineering Associates $= 2,055.00

All board members voted y= es.

RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL

Site Plan Application #712 – Commerce Bank

Block 100, Lot 5 &= #8211; 435 Livingston Street

A motion was offered by Councilman Altenbach and seconded by Mr. Jacobs to accept the Resolution of Approval on the above-indicated application as prepared by Mr. Regan.

Joseph L. Ascolese, Ms. G= uercio, Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Milliaressis, Mr. Sklow, Councilman Altenbach, and Mr. Lamp voted yes.

REPORTS

Zoning Subcommittee Meeting Date changed to Tuesday, 8/23/05 &#= 8211; No Report

Historic Preservation Committee – No Report

CORRESPONDENCE – NONE

OPEN & CLOSE TO PUBLIC

Mr. Bocchino came forward= and expressed dissatisfaction with board’s approval of Norwood Plaza, in particular, because of the number of parking spaces granted.

James Elling came forward= with comment regarding encroachment at the corner of Summit Street and Norwood Place by the property owner= and was advised to notify the Construction Code Official.

As no one else came forwa= rd, it was moved, seconded and voted to close the meeting to the public.

Councilman Altenbach anno= unced that the Livingston Street Beautification Committee meets for the first tim= e on September 13, 2005 in Council Chambers.

As there was no further b= usiness to come before the board, it was moved and seconded to adjourn at 9:05PM. &= nbsp; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp;

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&n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; Linda Grove, Board Clerk