Transcript for Piscataway Planning meeting on January 11 2023
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Jan 11 2023 · Planning
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Speaker 1Okay. Madam chair.
Speaker 2Good evening. The Piscataway Pan. The Piscataway Township Planning Board reorganization meeting will please come to order. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided in the following ways. Notice published in the Courier News notice posted on the bulletin board of the municipal building notice made available to the Township clerk notice sent to the Courier News and the star ledger. Mr. Barlow, would you read the open public meeting Notice please.
Speaker 3Thank you. In keeping with the Department of Community Affair guidelines on virtual meetings, we are going forward in this online platform. The appropriate notices have been sent out and it's appropriate for the board to proceed in this fashion. Madam
Speaker 2Chair. Thank you, Ms. Buckley, would you please call the roll?
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler.
Speaker 4Present.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Cahill. Here. Ms. Corcoran? Here. Reverend Kinneally? Here. Mr. Foster? I don't believe he was able to get on. And Chairwoman Smith
Speaker 2Here.
Speaker 1Oh,
Speaker 3Mr.
Speaker 1Atkins. Mr. Atkins.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 1I'm sorry. I had my old sheet from last year for the reorg. Sorry, Alex.
Speaker 2Okay. The, the flag is over my shoulder. Will we all please recite the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge Allegiance, pledge
Speaker 3Allegiance
Speaker 2To flag to the flag. United of
Speaker 5United States of America to One Nation.
Speaker 2Nation,
Speaker 5Invisible liberty.
Speaker 2Turn this meeting over to the Mayor.
Speaker 4Thank. Thank you. Madam chair. I'd like to make a nomination for Chair I. We have a very, a able and capable individual who currently is the chair and, and hopefully will be the chair for 2023. I'd like to nominate Brenda Smith.
Speaker 1I'll second that. Madam chair. Mayor. Okay. Mayor? Wahler.
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 1Councilwoman. Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders. Oh, sorry. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. And Mr. Atkins?
Speaker 3Yes.
Speaker 4Madam. Madam. chair if I'm, congratulations. Madam chair again for 2023.
Speaker 2Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate your vote of confidence.
Speaker 4Thank you. And I'd like to make an offer for vice chair. I'd like to offer Reverend Kinneally.
Speaker 2I second that.
Speaker 0Okay.
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler.
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 1Councilwoman. Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 4Madam chair. I'd like to nominate Carol Saunders to be Secretary of the Board for 2023.
Speaker 1Madam chair. I
Speaker 2Will second that. Thank you.
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler?
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 1Councilwoman. Cahill? Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 4Madam chair. If I may, I'd like to nominate or, or for the 2023 board attorney Tom Barlow.
Speaker 0Madam chair Joined Corcoran on second time
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler.
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Akins? Yes. And Madam chair.
Speaker 2Yes. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4And May And Madam chair. I'd like to nominee for our planner for 2023. Ron Reiner. Stein Stein. I think it's somewhere along there.
Speaker 2That's okay. I'm smiling right now, so
Speaker 0I'm good.
Speaker 2Did we get a second
Speaker 1Madam chair?
Speaker 2I
Speaker 6Kinneally all second.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 1Mayor. Wahler.
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 1Councilwoman. Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 4And Madam. Madam chair. I'd like to nominate for recording Secretary slash Kirk Clerk. Laura Buckley.
Speaker 2Second.
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler.
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 1Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1Thank you. Okay. Madam chair number 11 on the reorg
Speaker 2Committee
Speaker 1Appointments.
Speaker 2Committee appointments, Mayor or should I do that? Well,
Speaker 1Chloe
Speaker 4Madam chair. That's in your purview.
Speaker 2Well, the site committee I appoint Reverend Kinneally and myself. We've been doing that for a while and I think that's working well as board of, I need a board of education. I have to recuse myself from that. So did we have someone serving in that capacity last year?
Speaker 4I thought it was Reverend Kinneally last year.
Speaker 2Reverend Kinneally. I so appoint you again this year. Economic Division Development Commission. Who served in that comparison? Believe
Speaker 1It was Ms. Corcoran. I think it was
Speaker 2Me. Okay. Ms. Corcoran and environmental committee person. Mayor. Who was that?
Speaker 1I thought it was Dawn Cor Dawn. Corcoran. I thought take. Oh, you Dawn. Hi. Not okay.
Speaker 2And we have a roll call. Do we need a roll call on those appointments?
Speaker 3No, I think they're the, the purview of the, of the chair.
Speaker 2Oh, okay then. Yes.
Speaker 1I don't believe we need a vote for that
Speaker 2Then I need a motion for an adjournment.
Speaker 5So moved.
Speaker 2Thank you. All in favor?
Speaker 5Aye.
Speaker 2Opposers have the same privilege. And hearing none. This meeting is reorganization. Meeting is adjourned.
Speaker 12023.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 1Okay.
Speaker 2Are we ready?
Speaker 1You're up again. Madam chair.
Speaker 2The Piscataway Township planning board meeting will please come to order. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided in the following ways. Notice published in the Courier News notice posted on the bulletin board of the municipal building notice been made available to the Township clerk notice sent to the Courier News and the star ledger. May we have the open public meeting notice please. Mr. Barlow,
Speaker 3We're still in conformity with the Department of Community Affair guidelines on virtual meetings. I would note that the applicants have noticed for the Zoom hearing in their notices and it's appropriate to go forward in this matter. Madam chair.
Speaker 2Okay. Thank you. Would Madam Buckley, would you please call the roll
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler Present. Councilwoman Cahill Chair Ms. Corcoran? Here. Reverend Kinneally. Here. Mr. Ekins here. And Madam chair
Speaker 2Here. The American flag is over in my shoulder. Can we all proceed to recite the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance, allegiance
Speaker 5To flag. Flag of the United America and to the Republican, which stands?
Speaker 2Nation
Speaker 5Invisible. Liberty and justice.
Speaker 2We now have the swearing in of the professionals.
Speaker 3Ron, if you could raise your right hand. You swear the testimony you give before the board will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.
Speaker 1So help me God. I
Speaker 3Do. All right.
Speaker 2Mr. Barlow, do we have any amendments or changes to tonight's agenda?
Speaker 3Madam chair? None that I'm aware of with regards to the agenda everyone is in possession of.
Speaker 2Okay. I will ha receive a motion to duly audit to pay the duly audited bills.
Speaker 1So move Madam chair Reverend Kinneally.
Speaker 2Do I have a second
Speaker 7One? Clerk? I'll second
Speaker 2Call please.
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes. Item number eight, adoption of resolution to memorialize action. Taken on December the seventh, 2022. Do I have a motion?
Speaker 7Madam chair. Dawn Corcoran. I'll make that motion to adopt the resolution for Plunder homes New Jersey l l c.
Speaker 2Second please. I'll
Speaker 5Make this second. Councilwoman
Speaker 2Cahill. Thank you, please.
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman. Cahill. Yes. Ms. Morran? Yes. Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes. Item number nine, adoption of the minutes from the regular meeting of December 7th, 2022.
Speaker 5Offer Madam chair Councilwoman Cahill.
Speaker 2Thank you. We have a second. Reverend Kinneally seconded the roll call
Speaker 1Please. Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes. Item number 10, extension of Tom for item 19 PB 36 list 37 D L'Oreal USA products
Speaker 3Madam chair. This is a request by L'Oreal who had previously been before the board and received preliminary and final site plan in bulk variances for their site. They are requesting a extension of time bylaw. They're entitled to up to three one year extensions. This is their first request for an extension. So if it's the board's pleasure to give them the one year extension, if there'd be a motion and a second. And, and an all in favor. And then at the next meeting we could adopt the resolution, granting them the one year extension.
Speaker 2Do I have a motion to grant this extension from anyone on the board?
Speaker 1Madam
Speaker 5Chair. Oh, sorry. I'll second that. Reverend Kinneally.
Speaker 2Okay. Can we have a roll call?
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally? Yes. Mr. Kins? Yes. And Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes. Okay. Thank you everyone. Thank you. Thank Mr. Dacey. You're welcome. Have a good evening. Have a good one. Thank. Thank you. Item number 1122 PB 25 slash 26 B as in victory. Yes. Pack incorporated. Preliminary and final site plan.
Speaker 3Mr. Lan Lanre. I don't see him on the zoom.
Speaker 1I do not either.
Speaker 3Which is very unusual for Mr. Lanre.
Speaker 1Somebody's James stall. You didn't use the link. Let me make them a panelist. Hold on one moment. All
Speaker 3Right. My phone.
Speaker 1You use the link. All right. Could we perhaps second now.
Speaker 2Okay.
Speaker 3I believe his professionals are on.
Speaker 1I send them all the link. We just have to hit the link. All
Speaker 8Right. Jim Stall. I'm here.
Speaker 2We see.
Speaker 1Oh, okay. Hello Mr. Stall.
Speaker 8I'm sorry that Dawn Dawn probably did this on, on purpose so she didn't have to have me in the meeting.
Speaker 2You don't have to tell on
Speaker 0Me.
Speaker 8I'm sorry for the confusion. Jim Stahl, s t a h l. The firm is Boris Golden Foley Ola. Hyman sa. And we represent Ypac. Peter and I are Walter egos. Unfortunately, Peter is having some retina surgery, so he could not be on this evening, but I'm fully familiar and he's fine. And my witness, the sole witness I intend to produce is Mr. Scott Turner, who is already on Dawn or Laura. Do I have, do we have jurisdiction with respect to my notices?
Speaker 1Yes. Mr.. Dacey. Yes.
Speaker 8Thank you very much. Laura. I'll just very briefly, cuz I don't like to waste the board's time. Now this is an application, it's, it's indicated that it's a preliminary and final sub site plan approval. We could also call it amended approval. There was an approval previously obtained and now we're seeking to put 5,000 square foot edition. And that addition is for one thing and one thing only. And that's for a piece of equipment that cannot be housed in the existing structure. I will, there will be no, no further employees added to the role and I will now have, if it's with your pleasure, I'll have Mr. Turner sworn in and then I can ask him some preliminary questions before he does, I do wanna indicate, oh, wait till I'm done with Scott.
Speaker 3Okay, Mr. Turner, if you could state your name, spell your last name, and give us your professional address.
Speaker 9Sure. My name is Scott Turner, t u r n e r. And I work with Menlo Engineering Associates. The address is 2 61 Cleveland Avenue, Highland Park 0 8 9 0 4.
Speaker 3Okay. Do you raise your right hand, do you swear the testimony you give before the board will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Speaker 9Yes I do.
Speaker 3Mr. Stahl, your witness.
Speaker 8Thank you Mr. Barlow. Now, Mr. Turner, you are, you're a professional engineer and your license in the state of New Jersey?
Speaker 9I am. And my license is in good standing.
Speaker 8Thank you. You knew my next question. And have you appeared before the Piscataway Township zoning Board and Planning Board on prior occasions?
Speaker 9On many occasions, yes.
Speaker 8Alright. Madam chair and Mr. Barlow, I requested Mr. Turner be a qualified, an expert in the field of engineering.
Speaker 2His credentials are fine. He's, he's accepted to testify before the board.
Speaker 8Thank you. Madam chair. Thank you Madam Scott. Very well. I don't wanna say very briefly, let's get it done. You and I please testify, advise board is to A, my traditional questions A, what is the present site exist of A and B, what is our proposal including the variance request.
Speaker 9Sure. So Laura, I don't know if you'd like me to share the screen. I have an exhibit I can put up or if you'd rather do it, I don't know if you wanna Oh, no, you, you could do it. Scott. Go. Right. Okay. Alright. Right. So can everybody see the screen I just put up
Speaker 3Mr. Turner? Yes. Is this part Mr. Stall, just real quick, is this part of the application or is this something that you've changed or altered or highlighted or in some way?
Speaker 9Yes, this is an altered exhibit that we prepared specifically for this meeting.
Speaker 3Okay. So we'll just, we'll call that a one site plan. Exhibit 1 10 23. Okay.
Speaker 9Correct. Yes. And it was prepared by my office. It's a very basic rendering, black and white Centennial Avenue is up on the top of the sheet running parallel length-wise North is, for the purposes of this meeting, we'll we'll consider to be straight up and the only thing really highlighted on this plan is the tan color, which is the extent of the, what is the site plan application this evening, which is for a 3000 square foot building addition. This property was the subject of a site plan application back in 2019 for a, a building edition that has been since installed and I believe they're up and operating with a co. There were other major site plan improvements associated with that building edition, including parking, some new loading spaces, significant landscaping, lighting improvements, et cetera. So what had happened between 2019 and 2022, which is when that construction basically completed, is they now have the need for a new piece of equipment.
Speaker 9It's a large printing deck. And what they determined unfortunately, is that they cannot get this piece of equipment inside the existing building. There's just no way to get that in. They can't take this piece of equipment apart, they can't fit it into any of the doors. So that's why we're in front of you this evening for a, what I believe is considered a minor site plan application for this 3000 square foot building edition. The building is going to be located within this existing grass island that's on what I'll call the, the westerly side of the, of the building itself. There are loading docks located to the south and there's a couple of loading docks located to the north and sandwich in between there will be this 3000 square foot building edition. The building edition will jut out from the existing building 30 feet and then lengthwise will be a hundred feet long and the only single door on this edition will be on the southerly side of the, of this building edition and it will be a rollout door.
Speaker 9The building height on that on this building is 20 feet tall. It is significantly lower in height than the two-story edition that's located at the rear, which is the closest to the residence. So this new addition will be adequately screened and buffered. You will not be able to see the new addition. And as Mr. Dacey pointed out, the only reason why this addition is needed is to house this new piece of equipment. There is no need for any additional employees. There won't be any employees generated with the addition. It's simply for the, the piece of me mechanical equipment. The building coverage on the property will go from 35.6% to 37%. With the addition still well under the permitted within the l i five zoning district of 50%. We have no change to anything else on the property or the existing parking. The loading, the infrastructure will remain as is the right and right out driveway off of Centennial Avenue will remain as is we're will be able to sandwich this thing right inside this grass area.
Speaker 9We do have to take out a handful of trees that are located in the grass island. We are supplementing the removal of those trees by adding some additional landscape buffer plantings in the rear buffer as well as some landscape plantings up in the, what I'll call the northwest corner of the property. We've gotten staff reports that we will of course agree to address all of their comments. We have two variances required for this particular application. The first one is for front yard setback where we have 75.5 feet, which is the, from the front building addition that was part of the prior application to Centennial Avenue. 80 feet is required. This application does not aggravate or change that condition. So that's an existing non-conformity. And the second is for the number of parking spaces. So the number of parking spaces with the additional 3000 square feet is 185 spaces and provided on the site existing is 31. So there was a parking variance previously granted with the original application back in 2019. We still obviously need that parking variance. But again, with the, the idea behind not having an increase in employee count, there is no, you know, significant impact with respect to the granting of that variance in my opinion. Other than that there really? Yes.
Speaker 8Yes. So the, the need for the additional parking on staff reports is the result of the addition of 5,000 square foot addition and not based upon any additional use of the property by employees. Is that correct?
Speaker 9Correct, yes. It's 3000 square foot, not 5,000. The ion, I'm sorry, is 3000 square feet. Yes, that is correct though. Mr.
Speaker 8Dacey. Alright, and I'm just gonna go through the report before the board questions you, the applicant certainly agrees to the affordable housing obligations. That's number one on a report dated November 21st, 2022 from Henry Hinterstein Revised on January 11, 2 0 2 3. With regard to number two, there's a number two that calls for a right of way. Mr. Barlow, I have in my possession, I'll probably send it to you an easement that was obtained in 2019 as part of the original approval. I think that covers this item. I will get it to you and we can make this a condition still of the resolution if approved and if we need any further rights of way or easement, we will provide it to you. But I believe this covers it from 2019 number.
Speaker 3Excuse me, Ms. Corcoran, do you wanna address that?
Speaker 7I was just gonna say Mr. Dacey, you could please copy me on that email to Mr. Barlow. This way I can share that with our engineering department. We realize that your a the, your client has already installed them up. It appears that we do have that easement, but again, I just need to get confirmation from our engineering department that no additional right away is needed or necessary.
Speaker 8Well, do you want me to send you a copy Dawn or do you already have one?
Speaker 7I do not have a copy Mr. Stall, so if you could also copy me on that email, that would be great.
Speaker 8I'll get it to you tomorrow. Perfect. With regard to number four on the staff memo, of course the applicant will eliminating debt or missing landscaping as part of the completed building edition. We will provide the board's staff with a, the, the cut for the lighting fixture and the wall mounted fixtures as required. And we will provide either a letter of exemption or middles county planning board approval. Item number six on the staff memorandum. Scott, before i, I transfer you to the board for interrogation, is there anything that you or I have missed that you wanna advise the board?
Speaker 9No, I'll just get on the record though. We do have other staff reports. We have a planner's report from Mr. Reinertsen dated November 21st, 2022. We do agree to all of the conditions within that staff report as well. There's nothing really in there that I don't believe needs to be discussed unless someone believes otherwise. We have a Public works letter with no comments. We have a Township fire prevention with an approval and that is dated October 28th, 2022. And then we have a fire commissioner's report dated November 23rd, 2002 with no comments. So that's the extent of the staff reports.
Speaker 8Thank you very much Scott
Speaker 7Ma'am. Mr. Mr. Sta if I may, with regard to the staff report, there was one additional item that came up and that was with regard to the possibility of land banking some parking.
Speaker 8Oh yes, we, we have that as an exhibit that Mr. Barlow, that's exhibit that we're gonna produce has not been previously forwarded to the board, although I think we sent it to Dawn but don't,
Speaker 3That's fine Mr. Stahl, if Mr. Turner wants to put it up as we'll mark it as a two.
Speaker 8Scott, do you have that exhibit please?
Speaker 9I do.
Speaker 3And we'll just call it the parking exhibit
Speaker 9Land record
Speaker 8This, it's called Land Bank Parking Exhibit. January 10th, 2023. Yes. Pack. And that will be a two on our exhibit list. Alright, Scott, you wanna identify it further and describe what it is?
Speaker 9Sure. So it's another black and white exhibit prepared by my office. And what you'll see on this is three areas that are dark gray shading. And what we've done is we've basically de identified three additional areas for some land bank parking. So we have a total of 21 land bank parking spaces that are shown on this parking exhibit that could be reserved if they are needed in the future. I have been out to the site on a number of occasions. The times that I have been out there, I have not seen the parking lot to at capacity. So I I have not been notified or made aware that there is a parking issue on the property. But we can nonetheless provide 21 land bank parking spaces relatively easily on the site.
Speaker 8Thank you Scott.
Speaker 3Mr. Turner, did you say 21?
Speaker 9Correct. 21 spaces.
Speaker 3Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 8Madam chair. I give you Mr. Turner for any questions.
Speaker 3You're muted Mrs. Chairwoman. Seth, if you wanna unshare your screen Mr. Turner.
Speaker 9Sure, I can do that.
Speaker 2Board members, you have heard the testimony of this witness. Do you have any other questions that you'd like to him to respond to
Speaker 5Madam chair? I think Mr. Turner answered probably all the questions I was about to ask and if I missed it, I apologize. Do we know what kind of equipment is being stored in there or a piece of machinery?
Speaker 9Yeah, it, it is a, it's what it's called is a manipulation aid. I can't really specify the exact details, but it, it's a printing deck machine so that, that's the type of piece of equipment. It's a large rectangular piece of equipment. The building was sized to fit just that piece of equipment and really nothing else other than to be able to get around it for maintenance purposes and use. But that's really what it is. It's a, it's a printing deck.
Speaker 5Thank you. That's, that's all for me. Madam chair.
Speaker 2Any other questions of this witness from the board? Ms. Buckley, would you check to see if there's any questions from the public, please?
Speaker 1Anyone in the public, if you have any questions, please use your bottom screen and raise your hand and we will allow you to speak. Noah Madam chair.
Speaker 2Thank you. Close to the public. Is there any summary that you'd mis like to make Mr. Stall or should we just go as board
Speaker 8I chair? I, I try not to make summaries and listen to myself talk. This board has had an opportunity here and I know there are very conscientious board, so I have nothing further.
Speaker 2Thank you very much. You've heard the testimony that has been presented by this application. What's your pleasure?
Speaker 5Madam chair? This is Councilwoman Cahill. I'll make a motion to grant the variance for application 22 PB 25 26 V provided that again with the granting of this variance that the applicant abides by all of the staff report, which Mr. Turner has said that the applicant will,
Speaker 3Ms. Council Mihail just for completing this, the variance and the preliminary and final site plan, correct?
Speaker 5Oh yes. Thank you. Sorry. Right.
Speaker 2Do I have a second?
Speaker 8Reverend Kinneally
Speaker 1Second. That ocean.
Speaker 2Thank you. Roll call please.
Speaker 1Mayor Wahler? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Ms. Corporate? Yes. Reverend Kinneally? Yes. Mr. Atkins?
Speaker 3Yes.
Speaker 1Mr. Foster? He's on, he's muted.
Speaker 3Is he there for the entire presentation Laura?
Speaker 1Yeah, he came in just as it started. Okay. So he's been on but I don't think he could unmute. Chairperson Smith?
Speaker 2Yes. Okay.
Speaker 1Approved.
Speaker 2So thank you. Motion. The request has been approved. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Thank you.
Speaker 1Thank you
Speaker 8Board and that'll be safe and be willing and thank you
Speaker 2Very much. Thank you. You just Happy New Year.
Speaker 1Have a good night.
Speaker 2Item number 12, extension of time for number 21 PB 32 slash 33. Victor B as in Victor, Chantal Patel and Dxa Patel
Speaker 3Madam chair. Mr. Arch is also here. This was a, a client of his that he had previously obtained subdivision approval. And it's taking more time than Mr. Arch anticipated to perfect the subdivision. And he's made a request that the board grant additional time for them to perfect the subdivision. He and I had discussed it. I I think he indicated the approximately he could get it done within 90 days. Mr. Arch can speak for himself if he would like some more time. Just wanna make sure he can get it done.
Speaker 10Yes. Good evening. We, we originally had requested a, a year extension just because that is what is permitted. But I, I think that I'm confident that we can get this completed. I think the 90 days is, is more than enough time to, to get the deed perfected. I I will indicate the deeds already drafted. It's been executed by my clients. It's in the township's possession, I believe it just needs to be counter executed and then recorded. And there were a couple post compliance matters that were holding up that, the recording of that I am, I haven't unfortunately been able to get confirmation from my client that all those post compliance matters have been completed because my clients in India currently, but he should be coming back shortly and I'm, I'm confident that we'll be able to get everything wrapped up within hopefully that 90 days.
Speaker 2Does anyone have any objections to the granting of this request? Hearing no objections. Mr. Barlow,
Speaker 3If there'll be a motion to grant the 90 day extension and a second and if everyone's in favor of that, I can prepare resolution for the next meeting.
Speaker 2Do I hear a motion?
Speaker 1So moved.
Speaker 2Do I have a second
Speaker 1One? Corcoran. I'll second
Speaker 2That. Thank you. Roll call please.
Speaker 1Mayor? Wahler? Yes. Councilwoman. Cahill? Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Yes. Reverend Kinneally? Yes. Mr. Atkins?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1Mr. Foster is still on mute. Madam chair?
Speaker 2Yes. Three month. Three month extension. Granted,
Speaker 10Thank you so much.
Speaker 2Will it be put back on for next week for you to do a resolution Mr. Barlow? Yes. Madam chair. I'll have a resolution for next for the February meeting. Okay, thank you. Item number 1322 PB 22 slash 23 V as in Victor, grand Home Investments, L L C, both variance and minor subdivision. Mr. Arch.
Speaker 10Thank you Madam. Oh, thank you Madam chair, members of the board. My name is Tim Arch attorney licensed in the state of New Jersey. I'm here representing Grand Home Investments, L L C At the outset, I have to say the house of representative should take note of the efficiency of your nominating and appointing.
Speaker 2So good job on that.
Speaker 10We're here tonight seeking minor subdivision approval and some bulk variances for a property located at it's 1 49 Stratton Street South, which is block 39 0 1 lot, 83.01 in the R 10 zone. We're looking to subdivide the property and property currently. And if I can, I'm just gonna share my screen real quick while I talk so you have something better to look at. And let me see. There we go. And Mr. Barlow, I will mark this as, first of all, can everybody see the picture that's on the screen?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 10Okay. And Mr. Barlow, I'll mark this as as a one. This is basically just a Google image of, of the property currently. There is, if you look at that house that's on the right, that is the, the existing home that is on the lot. And then this other structure that is over to the left is an accessory structure that's on the property. It's not actually a separate house or another lot that's, that's an accessory structure. I think it's a large garage. We're proposing when we subdivide that lot to demolish that accessory structure and create two lots. Lot 83.02 and 83.03. The variances that we're requesting is for lot 83.02, which I'm gonna call the new lot cuz that's where a new home is proposed to be built on. That is going to require relief because it will have a 75 foot frontage and width. But as you'll hear from, from our expert, Mr.
Speaker 10Fletcher, it has, it has more than enough depth. It has I think over 200 feet of, of lot depth for the other lot. We're keeping that existing house that's on there and there's some existing nonconformities with that house that are carrying over into the new, into the new lot. So there is, again, for lot dimensions, there's gonna be a 75 foot lot width and a 75 foot lot frontage. But then there is a 17.7 foot front yard setback from fourth place and a 21.2 foot front yard setback from Stratton Street South. It's a corner lot so it has two frontages. Those are existing variances. We're not changing those, but those are, that's relief that we're seeking that's existing. There's also a 10 foot side yard, or sorry, a nine and a half foot side yard setback, actually technically 9.55 foot side yard setback variance that we're requesting where 10 is required.
Speaker 10So very minor in that sense. And then we are proposing a new detached garage to service the exist home. And just again, because of the nature of the lot, being a corner lot and having two frontages, it is set 35.5 feet back from, I believe it's Stratton Street South, which, because that's technically a front yard setback, we would normally have to have a 60 foot. But again, when you're, when you're sort of assessing the house, that's really more akin to a side yard setback as opposed to a, a front yard setback. I do have a couple reports. I have Ms. Corins variance report, which is what I actually was just reading from. Thank you very much Ms. Corcoran. I have Mr. Hinterstein staff report, which was revised January 11th, 2023. And I have a C M E staff report that is dated December 16th, 2022. I will cut to the chase. We agree to comply with all of the comments in the reports.
Speaker 10Just to make that clear on the record, I do only have one planned witness tonight, which would be Mr. Paul Fletcher. I do have a Mier moti who is the, the applicant who is present. So if there's any direct questions for him tonight, he can certainly be sworn in. As well as I have our architect here who is Andrew Pod Bosniak, who is also available for any direct questions. Although again, I I only plan on offering Mr. Fletcher, I think that would be sufficient. But if you have any specific questions for them, they're available as well. That's all I have before I call Mr. Fletcher, unless there's any other preliminary questions of me,
Speaker 3Mr. Arch, one thing, there is also a report from the director of public works dated December 9th, 2022, and his comment is to install a sanitary sewer cleanout at the front property line for the proposed single family dwelling. I presume that the applicant would agree to that.
Speaker 10I'm going to, I'll confirm with, with the, with the client, but I believe so that's been a request in the past that we've always agreed to. I'll defer to Mr. Fletcher if that's something that he thinks there's any concern with agreeing to, but I think we can certainly comply with that. Thank you Mr. Barlow.
Speaker 4No problem. And, and Madam chair, if I may jump in on along that line, there should also be a check valve installed in that area just for the board members to know. The Department of Public Works has been installing check valves, but a sanitary sewer line out there. My advice is, is that they need to get the check type of check valve that the Department of Public Works is installing. It's a heavy duty check valve. So I I would, I would make that a condition of the approval knowing that what's going on out there right now,
Speaker 2Mr.
Speaker 10Arch, we have no objection to complying with whatever conditions D D P W requires.
Speaker 2Okay. You can call your witness.
Speaker 10Our, my first witness tonight is Mr. Paul Fletcher.
Speaker 3Mr. I see Mr. Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher, can you state your name, spell your last name and give us your professional address, please?
Speaker 11Yes, it's Paul J. Fletcher, f l e t c h e r. My address is 54 West Pond Road, Oak Lawn, New Jersey.
Speaker 10Mr. Fletcher, I think you've been accepted in front
Speaker 3Of. Can I swear him in first? Tim.
Speaker 10Oh, I'm sorry.
Speaker 3Mr. Fletcher, if you raise your right hand, you swear the testimony given before the board will be the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Speaker 11Yes, I do.
Speaker 3You're a witness, Mr. Arch.
Speaker 10Thank you Mr. Barlow. Mr. Fletcher, you've been accepted in front of this board on numerous occasions before and your license status is, is the same as it was then, is that correct?
Speaker 11That's correct. I'm a licensed professional engineer and planner.
Speaker 10Do I have to go through Mr. Fletcher CV at all or can he be accepted as an expert in both Civil engineering and
Speaker 2I'd at least like to, to give his education background for the record.
Speaker 10Sorry, Mr. Fletcher, if you could please for the record,
Speaker 11Certainly. I graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree. I was licensed in New Jersey as a professional engineer about 35 years ago. I started Fletcher Engineering a little over 30 years ago. I'm the sole principal. I've been adopted or accepted as an expert, certainly in Piscataway, Woodbridge jettison, Perth Amboy, numerous other boards, planning boards and board of adjustments.
Speaker 2Thank you. Mr. Architect covers the record please.
Speaker 10Thank you Mr. Fletcher. I'm gonna, the floor is yours. Just let me know if you need me to share any exhibits, but take it away.
Speaker 11Okay. Yes, I, I would concur that the, the professionals reports we will comply with all the requested information, the clean out absolutely. That's actually an oversight on our part. By not showing a clean out, we know it's necessary and the applicant will agree to a check valve. One of the questions in CME report was to identify whether the new home has a seller or a basement, a seller being more than half below grade, a basement being more than half above grade. I've crunched the numbers and indeed the lowest level on the process house is a, is a seller.
Speaker 11The applicant proposes to subdivide the property basically in half the frontage on fourth place. We initially looked at subdividing it along Stratton Street and on paper, on tax map paper that looks like the preferred alternative because we would've two fully conforming lots with regards to lot frontage and and depth. However, the property is impacted by the stream that cuts across the back and there's a flood hazard area that we've identified and that eliminates the possibility of building a home further towards the rear of the property or towards the stream. So that we decided to seek a variance for lot widths, lot frontages, and have the properties face. Fourth place, we think it's a better planning alternative.
Speaker 11Applicant proposals to, as I mentioned, subdivide the property in half construct a new two car garage to service the existing home. Existing home will stay the new five bedroom single-family dwelling constructed on the newly created lot. Just to reiterate, the variance is required for both lots lot frontage. Sorry, lot. Yes, lot frontage and a lot width is required. 75 feet as proposed hundred feet is required. There are two existing nonconformities for the existing house lot. 83.03. The lot frontage, or sorry, the front setback on fourth place is existing condition of 17.7. Front from state seats south 21.2. Both of those are existing and there's one, what I believe diminish experience for side yard setback, 9.55 versus the 10 required for the existing home. And lastly, accessory structure. Front setback required a 60, we're proposing 35.5. There, there were comments about the garages needing to be a minimum clear depth inside the building of 20 feet. The proposed house has that dimensions on the architectural plans. We will enlarge the proposed detached garage slightly to ensure that it has the 20 foot required.
Speaker 11I believe that the board can grant these variances both under C2 and a C1 criteria. With regards to the C1 hardship, as I mentioned, the existence of the stream and the flood hazard area does not allow subdivision to create a two fully conforming lots. With regard to c2, we're eliminating a very large accessory structure. It does, does not meet front yard setback. It's only at about one foot versus the 60 foot required. And the side yard setback is about five feet versus the 10 foot required. So we're eliminated those existing nonconformities nonconformities totally. Frankly, it's not particularly, it's not particularly a good looking structure. So I think the aesthetics of the neighborhood will be greatly improved by removing that at adding a new home. I also point out that the lot areas are in excess of 16,000 square feet where 10,000 is required. I did bring a, an exhibit that I'd like to, to show to the board and Tim if you could probably show the screen of that.
Speaker 10Yep. Just gimme one second. And Mr. Barlow, we'll mark this as, oh there it's, we'll mark this as as a two, let me zoom out a little bit.
Speaker 3Tim, what do you wanna call it? Is it the existing
Speaker 11Map? Neighborhood analysis.
Speaker 3Okay.
Speaker 10I think everybody,
Speaker 11This is a copy of the Piscataway tax map. The subject property is highlighted in blue. There's two red circles. There are the 200, 300 foot radii and within the 200 feet there's a total of 19 properties. Of those eight or nonconforming, I have highlighted those in, in orange. They vary from 75 by a hundred fifty one sixty nine. There's couple that are about 94 other 97. So they're not conforming to the zone. They're existing single-family lots developed. I didn't include the property. That's the park or is an exempt small lot for exempt owned by the Township of Piscataway within the 300 foot, oh by the way, the eight nonconform and that represents 42% of the total. Within the 300 foot there's a total of 27. Lots of those 10 are nonconform, that's 37%. So I show this to the board to show that what we're suggesting that the subdivision of two lots of LTE required setback or sorry, required lot with lot frontage. It's not inconsistent with this, the existing neighborhood pattern of development. And for that reason, I, I don't believe it'll be have any negative effects to his own plan or the master plan. And I think these variances can be granted based on the proofs I've just mentioned. And I think it'll be an asset to this neighborhood. Skyway.
Speaker 10Thank you Mr. Fletcher. I don't have any other direct questions for Mr. Mr. Fletcher. So I'll, I'll present him for questioning from the board
Speaker 2Board members. You've heard the testimony of Mr. Fletcher. Do you have any questions of this witness?
Speaker 4I do. Ma Madam chair. I just wanna make sure, I know he said at the grade of the new home we'll just have a seller in it. But I wanna make sure that there's a restriction and it can't stole it in a toilet in the basement.
Speaker 10I certainly, I'll just ask Mr. Mowa if he has any issues with that. I don't think we're proposing any, any bathroom structures in the basement.
Speaker 4Well, I know Mr. Archer, you may not be proposing it now, but people have a habit of putting things in without letting the building department No,
Speaker 10No, I completely understand that. I just wanted to make sure that we weren't showing it and that I was agreeing to it if we were showing it.
Speaker 4Yeah. And, and given the fact that a high water content level in that area, it, it would behoove whoever the new homeowners are. That that doesn't happen. So
Speaker 3Mr. Archer, you, will you agree to that as a condition of approval or do you want to swear in Mr. Matawa so he can agree to it on the record?
Speaker 10I I am fine agreeing to it. I see no objection from Mr. Mowa and he's, he's more than capable of unmuting and voicing his objection to me. And then we can swear him in if he does object. But I think we're all good. I also saw our architect shake his head. I believe so. I think we're all good.
Speaker 3Okay.
Speaker 2Any other questions of Mr. Fletcher? Okay.
Speaker 6Madam chair. I'm not too familiar with this area. Is that in the, the older section of Piscataway? Am I right? Mayor?
Speaker 4No, Reverend Kinneally. This is the possum town area of
Speaker 6Piscataway. Oh, pos Townson Town Road. Okay. Alright. Cause I'm not too familiar with that street. I got the map home. But is there sidewalks in that area too?
Speaker 4Not at the moment. There will be when they start these
Speaker 6Two houses. Okay. Because I don't have any paperwork on that in regards to,
Speaker 12Not that, not that what I observed when I walked the site, Reverend County. Okay.
Speaker 10I can confirm.
Speaker 12Mayor pointed out it was gonna be sidewalks
Speaker 6Starting. Well, that, that's is my question. That was my next question. Thank you.
Speaker 10Yes. We're more than happy to put in the sidewalks. They're not there currently. There's also a handicap ramp that we are agreeing to put in as well as well as some easements and, and such on Mr. Hessey's
Speaker 6Report. Thank you Tim.
Speaker 2Any other questions from the board? Okay, it's now the, it's now open to the public for any questioning. Ms. Buckley, would you check and see if there's any indication from the public that they wanna ask this witness questions?
Speaker 3You're muted. Laura.
Speaker 1Oh, I thought I hit the button. No one's raising their hands. Madam chair.
Speaker 2Thank you. Close to the public. You may proceed. Mr. Arch.
Speaker 10Thank you Madam chair. I have no other witnesses planned unless there were any direct questions. So I would just ask generally of the board if they feel the need that, that our architect or our our applicant be sworn in and here.
Speaker 2Members of the board. Mr. Stelton, do we, do you have any questions?
Speaker 12No, I, I think they've answered them. Mr. Fletcher knows about my letters by now. Just wanted the numbers to add up.
Speaker 2Ms. Cochran, are you all
Speaker 12I think they were thorough.
Speaker 2Ms. Kaman, do you have any questions?
Speaker 7I do not. They agree to all of the items in the reports. So no questions on my side
Speaker 2Then. Do I hear a motion?
Speaker 7Madam chair torn Corcoran. I'd like to make a motion that we approve the application subject to the staff reports also subject to the applicant installing a check valve and they must work in conjunction with the Department of Public Works for that. Installing a clean out and that be no bathroom installed in the
Speaker 2Basement. Second. Do I have a second? Atkins? I'll second. Thank you. Welcome.
Speaker 1Mayor. Wahler? Yes. Councilwoman. Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally.
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1Mr. Atkins?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1And Madam chair.
Speaker 2Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much. Have a happy New Year. You too. Thank you. I believe we've completed our agenda for tonight.
Speaker 1Yep. motion to
Speaker 2Adjourn. Okay. We have a motion to adjourn. Keeping in mind that our next site plan meeting is January 25th and our next planning board meeting will be February the eighth as a reminder.
Speaker 1So
Speaker 2Madam chair meeting. Thank you. Goodnight. Everyone Good? Everyone. Goodnight everyone. Stay safe. Enjoy your upcoming Martin Luther King Day weekend. Absolutely.
Speaker 1You also.
Speaker 7Bye-bye.