Transcript for Piscataway Planning meeting on January 8 2025
Note: Transcripts are generated by rev.ai and may not be fully accurate. Please listen to the recording (below) if you feel any text is inaccurate.
Speaker 0 00:00:01 The Township of Piscataway is called to order. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided in the following ways. Notice published in the Courier News notice published on the bulletin board of the Municipal Building Notice made available to the township clerk Notice sent to the Courier News and Star Ledger. Furthermore, in keeping with the guidelines that have been disseminated by the Department of Community Affairs, the planning Board has tried its best to comply with the Open Public Meeting Act through this virtual platform. Will the clerk please call the roll? Speaker 1 00:00:35 Mayor Wahler. Present Councilwoman Cahill. Council. Happy Ms. Corcoran? Here. Ms. Saunders? Here. Reverend Kinneally. He's muted. Speaker 2 00:00:50 Oh, he's here. Speaker 1 00:00:51 He's here. Mr. Ahmed? Yes. Here. Phil, how do you say your last name? I apologize. Speaker 3 00:01:02 Echeveria. Speaker 1 00:01:03 Eche. Okay. I was practicing that today. Mr. Chuva? Here. Here. And Madam Chair here. Speaker 0 00:01:10 Laura, it's not on the agenda, but are we doing a Pledge of Allegiance in both meetings? We can Speaker 3 00:01:17 Go. I think we should do it to be safe. Speaker 0 00:01:19 Okay. Speaker 1 00:01:20 I'd like and we will Speaker 0 00:01:21 Do the Pledge of Allegiance. Speaker 3 00:01:24 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice. Justice Speaker 0 00:01:40 For all. I will now entertain nominations for chairperson of the Piscataway Township Planning Board. Speaker 2 00:01:49 If I may, Mr. Barrow, I'd like to nominate Brenda Smith as chairperson of the board. Speaker 0 00:01:56 Do I have a second? Speaker 1 00:01:59 Carol Speaker 3 00:01:59 Saunders second. Speaker 0 00:02:01 Any other nominations? Hearing none. Nominations are closed. Can we have a roll call? Ms. Buckley? Speaker 1 00:02:09 Mayor Wahler? Speaker 2 00:02:10 Yes. Speaker 1 00:02:11 Gabby's not on. I'm here. Oh, Councilman Cahn I help. Speaker 3 00:02:16 Yes. Speaker 1 00:02:17 Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Reverend, he's still on mute. You're talking, he's still on mute. Speaker 2 00:02:29 Just wave and say Yes, Speaker 0 00:02:33 Uhoh. Here we go. I Speaker 1 00:02:34 Don't think his, his things aren't working. Okay. Mr. Ahmed? Yes. And that's it. Speaker 3 00:02:41 Thank you. It's a pleasure to be nominated again. Thank you. Hello, can you hear me? Speaker 1 00:02:48 Yes. Speaker 3 00:02:48 Yes, yes. We got you. Reverend Kinneally. A mic is broken. Thank you. Speaker 0 00:02:53 I'll now turn over the rest of the meeting to Chairwoman. Speaker 3 00:02:58 Okay. Thank you very much. Election is now open. Nominations are now open for Vice chairman, vice chairperson I'D to, do you have any nominations? Speaker 2 00:03:07 Madam Chair? Madam Chair, I'd like to nominate Reverend Kinneally as vice chair. Speaker 3 00:03:12 Do we have a second Speaker 1 00:03:13 Go Clerk? Speaker 4 00:03:15 Oh. Oh, sorry. Second. Speaker 3 00:03:19 Are there any other nominations? Therefore we're close to the nominations. Can we call the role for the nomination of Lieutenant Election of Reverend Kinneally as Vice Chair Speaker 1 00:03:32 Mayor Wahler? Yes. Councilman? Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Ms. Hammed? Yes. And Madam Chair? Speaker 3 00:03:41 Yes. Nominations are now open for the nom for the nomination of a secretary. Do I have nominations? I'd Speaker 2 00:03:51 Like to nominate Carol Saunders. Madam Chair, Speaker 3 00:03:56 Do I have a second? I will second Speaker 1 00:03:58 That. Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 3 00:04:00 Thank you. Are there any other nominations for secretary? Closed for nominations for secretary? Roll call please. Speaker 1 00:04:09 Mayor Wahler? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Speaker 3 00:04:12 Yes. Speaker 1 00:04:13 Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Ahmed? Yes. And Madam Chair? Speaker 3 00:04:21 Yes. Appointment of a board attorney. Speaker 2 00:04:30 Madam Chair. I'd like to make a motion to appoint Tom Barlow's, board attorney Speaker 4 00:04:37 Carol Saunders. Second Speaker 3 00:04:39 Roll call please. Speaker 1 00:04:40 Mayor Wahler? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Ahmed? Yes. And Madam Chair. Yes. Speaker 3 00:04:54 We have appointment of a planner. Speaker 2 00:04:57 I would like to Madam. Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to appoint CME Engineering. Speaker 3 00:05:03 Do I have a second? Speaker 4 00:05:04 Carol Saunders. Second. Speaker 3 00:05:07 Thank you. Roll call. Speaker 1 00:05:08 Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. We lost one. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Ms. Hammed? Yes. And Madam Chair? Yes. Speaker 3 00:05:25 Appointment of recording Secretary and Clark. Speaker 2 00:05:28 Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to appoint Laura Buckley. Speaker 3 00:05:33 We'll have a second. Second. Carol Speaker 4 00:05:35 Saunders Second. Oh. Speaker 1 00:05:36 Oh. Thanks. Speaker 3 00:05:38 Roll call. Speaker 1 00:05:39 Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Hammed? Yes. And Madam Chair. Speaker 3 00:05:51 Yes. Speaker 1 00:05:51 Thank you. Speaker 3 00:05:54 Appointments for, for the committees. Speaker 2 00:06:00 Madam Chair, if I make a suggestion, I believe Reverend Kinneally and Dawn Corcoran were on the committees last time. Unless I'm missing somebody else Speaker 0 00:06:12 And I believe Ms. Smith. Ms. Smith was also on the Speaker 3 00:06:18 Board of Ed Speaker 2 00:06:19 Committee. Yep. Speaker 3 00:06:22 Okay. And the E-D-E-D-C. That Speaker 2 00:06:24 Would be at Dawn Corcoran. Speaker 3 00:06:26 Okay. Okay. Thank you. Roll call on those. Those appointments. Speaker 1 00:06:33 Mayor Wahler? Yes. Councilman McCahill? Yes. Ms. Ward? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Ms. Hammed? Yes. And Madam Chair? Speaker 3 00:06:48 Yes. Motion for an adjournment. Speaker 1 00:06:52 Madam Chair, I make a motion for adjournment of this meeting. Second Councilwoman Cahill. Speaker 3 00:06:58 Thank you. Roll call. All, all, all in favor? Speaker 1 00:07:04 Aye. Thank you. Aye. Aye. Speaker 3 00:07:07 Granted, Speaker 0 00:07:09 Thank you very much. Speaker 3 00:07:10 Well, we will now reopen for the regular meeting. Speaker 1 00:07:15 Thank you. Okay. Speaker 3 00:07:21 The Piscataway Planning Board meeting will now 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 Muni Municipal Building notice made available to the township clerk Notice sent to the Courier News and the star ledger. Would the clerk please call the role Speaker 1 00:07:45 Mayor Wahler. Present Councilwoman Cahill. Here Ms. Cochran? Here. Ms. Saunders? Here. Reverend Kinneally. Here. Mr. Atkins name is Speaker 3 00:08:00 Alex Atkins. There he is. Right there. Speaker 1 00:08:03 There he is here. Okay. There he is. Mr. Hammed. Here. Mr. Aria? Here. All right. Chairperson. Mme. Smith. Mr. Here. Okay. Speaker 3 00:08:18 Mr. Barlow, would you please read the Open Public meeting? Notice? Speaker 0 00:08:22 Certainly Madam Chair and once again, in keeping with the guidelines that have been disseminated by the Department of Community Affairs, the planning board has tried its best to comply with the Open Public Meetings Act. Through this virtual platform, there will be a public comment period for all attendees. Each member of the public shall have one opportunity to speak during each public portion. As technology does not allow us to know if there are multiple callers on an individual phone line or logged in user account, we ask that if you wish to speak, that you log in or dial in separately so we can recognize you as a separate individual. If you wish to speak, please raise your hand on the Zoom app or if you have called in on the phone, press nine to unmute. When it is your turn to speak, you'll be called Upon either by name or phone number. Please speak at this time, you'll ask your name and address and will be sworn in prior to your question or comment. Thank you. Speaker 3 00:09:11 Thank you. Can we all recite the Pledge of Allegiance? You can see the flag over my right shoulder. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation, nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can we have the swearing in of the professionals? Speaker 4 00:09:42 Yes. Can you please raise your right hand? Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give will be the truth and nothing but the truth? I Speaker 1 00:09:50 Do. Speaker 4 00:09:51 Thank you. Speaker 1 00:09:52 You're welcome. Speaker 3 00:09:54 Mr. Barlow, are there any changes to our agenda tonight? Speaker 0 00:09:58 Yes, Madam Chair number 1124 PBO eight slash oh nine L Rrn properties has been postponed until February 12th, 2025. If you are here for that matter, it'll be heard at the February meeting. You will not get any further notice of same. And that's the only change to the revised agenda. Madam Chair. Speaker 3 00:10:22 Okay. Thank you. May I have a motion for to pay the duly audited bills? Speaker 4 00:10:34 Madam Chair, this is Carol Sons. I make a motion to pay the duly audited bills. Speaker 3 00:10:39 Do I have a second? Speaker 6 00:10:41 Reverend Kinneally? I'll second it. Speaker 3 00:10:43 Roll call. Speaker 0 00:10:50 Yes. Laura, you're muted. Speaker 1 00:10:56 Maybe that's why he wasn't answering. I'm sorry. I'm doing three things at one time. I apologize. Speaker 0 00:11:01 I read Speaker 1 00:11:01 Your list. Mayor Wahler Councilwoman Cahill. Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. Ms. Hammed? Yes. Mr. Veria? Yes. And Madam Chair? Speaker 3 00:11:17 Yes. Item number eight, adoption of resolutions to memorialize action. Taken on December the 11th, 2024. Speaker 4 00:11:26 Carol Saunders and Madam Chair, I'd like to adopt application 24 PV dash 18 slash 19 VGWL four Corporate LL Police preliminary and final site plan with bulk variance. Speaker 3 00:11:42 Is there a second Speaker 1 00:11:44 Clerk? Speaker 3 00:11:46 Thank you. Roll call. Speaker 1 00:11:47 Mayor Wahler? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Speaker 4 00:11:53 Yes. Speaker 1 00:11:54 Reverend Kinneally? Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. Mr. Hammed? Yes. And Madam Chair? Yes. Speaker 3 00:12:01 Okay. Speaker 4 00:12:02 Madam Chair, I'd like to memorialize the resolution for 24 PV dash zero two slash 12 v de meaning Communications Inc. Preliminary final site claim with both friends for withdrawal. Speaker 0 00:12:14 Yes. Please note, just by way of background, this is a matter that has been pending before the board for quite some time. The applicant, after much discussion, has decided not to pursue this application. So therefore, in order to keep the No, what I would say is the sound administration of the board's agenda, it's a dismissal without prejudice of the application. And if they choose down the road, if they want to resubmit, they certainly can. Okay. So it's just a resolution memorializing the dismissal without prejudice. Speaker 3 00:12:46 Fine. Do I have a second? Speaker 7 00:12:52 Reverend Kinneally? I'll second it. Speaker 3 00:12:53 Thank you. Roll call. Speaker 1 00:12:55 Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Speaker 3 00:12:59 Yes. Speaker 1 00:13:00 Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Mayor Kinneally? Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. Mr. Ahmed? Yes. And Madam Chair? Speaker 3 00:13:10 Yes. Item number nine, adoption of the minutes from the regular meeting of December 11th, 2024. Speaker 4 00:13:18 Madam Chair, Carol Saunders, I'd like to adopt the minutes from the regular meeting of December 11th, 2024. Speaker 3 00:13:26 Do I have a second? Kinneally? Thank you. Roll call. Speaker 1 00:13:32 Mayor Wahler. Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Yes. Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Reverend Kinneally. Yes. Mr. Atkins? Yes. Mr. Ahmed? Yes. And Madam Chair. Yes. Speaker 3 00:13:45 Adoption of the minutes. I just did that, right? You just Speaker 1 00:13:49 Did that? Yes. Yes. Speaker 3 00:13:50 10. Item number 10. 24 PB 20. Dale Meadows, urban Renewal. LLC Attorney David McPherson. Speaker 7 00:14:03 Thank you. Chairwoman. I assume everyone can hear me okay? Speaker 3 00:14:07 Yes, you can hear you fine, sir? Yes. Speaker 7 00:14:09 Thank you. I have I, my name is David McPherson. I'm with Waters Mc Firstt McNeil. We represent Riverdale Meadows. This matter is an amendment of a previously approved site plan that seeks to replace two garage structures with some recreational facilities. I have with me Bill Lane from Menlo Engineering, who is the site plan engineer, and Scott Weber from Riverdale Meadows. Bill, yes. Maybe you could give us your background and your qualifications if Speaker 0 00:14:48 We could swear him in first. Mr. Speaker 7 00:14:50 Certainly. Speaker 0 00:14:52 Carol, you're, you're muted. Yeah. Speaker 4 00:14:55 Bill, can you Thank you. Bill Lane. Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth? Speaker 8 00:15:00 Yes. Speaker 4 00:15:01 Thank you. Speaker 8 00:15:01 Thank you, thank you. I've been with Menlo Engineering for about close to 40 years now. Been a licensed professional engineer in the state of New Jersey for approximately 28 years. Testified in front of probably over a hundred boards in the state of New Jersey and many times here in Piscataway. Speaker 7 00:15:20 Madam Chair, I'm gonna ask that the board recognize Bill Lane as a, an expert. Speaker 3 00:15:26 Yes. Can you give us some of his educational background please? Speaker 8 00:15:30 Yeah. I graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology with a a, a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering Technology. Speaker 3 00:15:37 Okay, thank you. Speaker 8 00:15:38 Thank you. Speaker 7 00:15:39 Bill, maybe you could give us a, a brief description of the site and what we're trying to accomplish here. Speaker 8 00:15:45 Yeah, if I could share my screen. Speaker 0 00:15:48 Of course. Mr. Lane, any exhibits, you're gonna reference a one, A two and we'll just keep going along that You can just identify what they are. Speaker 8 00:15:57 Yeah, this is the geometry plan. It's in the set of plans. Okay. So I, I guess everybody should have this already. What we're looking to do is remove two of the garages that were or actually not installed. The two garages that were along the Edison border down over here, along what was before Sarah Lane, and a portion of Sarah Lane is, will not be constructed. What the applicant's looking to do is to install a tennis court, two pickleball courts and a half basketball court. In addition, add six parking spaces so it could, could utilize that to access the rec area. Along with that, they're looking to add a footbridge to connect over to the clubhouse, which is a good idea. So anyone at the clubhouse wants to come over and use the rec area, come over to the footbridge, the footbridge, everything we've done with it, and that as labeled on the grading plan, can be constructed with a permit by rule by the DEP. So there's five criteria, which we meet all of them, and that that could be constructed about having to actually go to the DEP for a permit. Additionally, all the landscaping that was previously proposed along the Edison border here has been redistributed, but all the planting counts are still the same. So all that's still valid from what was originally approved. That's pretty much it in a nutshell on what they're looking to do out here. Speaker 7 00:17:16 And bill the, the, the plan has proposed fully complies with the amended redevelopment plan? Speaker 8 00:17:22 Yes, it does. Speaker 7 00:17:23 Including parking requirements? Speaker 8 00:17:26 Yes. We need, we have, we're required to have 5 28. We're still at 5 61. Speaker 7 00:17:36 Thank you. Bill. At, at this bill, do you, do you have a chance to review the December 16th CME letter? Yes. And, and Rivendale can comply with their requests in that letter? Speaker 8 00:17:51 Yeah, there's only, there's only a handful that we, we need to address, but yes, we have no problem with that. Speaker 9 00:17:55 Yeah. Mr. Lane? I, I, I just made it simple. Just add notes to the plan that you know what the changes are. Don't change the header. This is an amended plan. Let's keep it simple. Speaker 8 00:18:03 Okay. We'll do thanks. Speaker 7 00:18:07 If that's all we have for the board, if, if there's any questions, we'd be happy to respond. Speaker 3 00:18:12 Members of the board, do you have any wi questions of this witness? Mr. L Speaker 10 00:18:17 Madam Chair? If I may? Speaker 3 00:18:18 Yes, go ahead. Speaker 10 00:18:20 Thank you. Just a quick question. So that where those garages, Mr. Lang were not constructed, that they were, the plan was originally to construct them because the road was gonna be constructed. Is that That's correct, yes. Okay. And so would you, is there any reason why that road is not being constructed Speaker 8 00:18:40 In order to fit erect areas? 'cause we have limited area between the property line and where the wetlands are. There's a buffer to that. So we can't put the road and fit all the recreational amenities. If we put the road in, then we can't be able to install the recreational amenities. Speaker 10 00:18:54 Okay. And no need for the garages anymore, I take it? Speaker 8 00:18:58 Yeah, just the one up north or or to the west there along Zary way. 'cause that's already been constructed, I believe. Right. Speaker 10 00:19:04 Okay. Thank you. That wa that was my only question. Thank you. Speaker 3 00:19:08 Any other board members have any questions of this witness? Thank you. We could open it to the public. Speaker 7 00:19:17 Oh, bill, can you unshare your screen please? Speaker 8 00:19:19 Yep. Thank Speaker 3 00:19:21 You. Members of the public, do you anyone wishing to have any questions of this witness? Please indicate so by shake raising your hand on screen. Ms. Buckley, do you see anyone raising their hand? Speaker 1 00:19:35 No. Madam chair. Speaker 3 00:19:37 Okay. Thank you. Close to the public. You may call your next witness. Ms. McPherson. Good Speaker 7 00:19:44 Madam Chair. We have no further witnesses as there are no deviations variances and it fully complies with the redevelopment plan. We'd respectfully request that the board approve the amended site plan. Speaker 3 00:19:56 Okay. Members of the board, do you have no further questions? This application seems to be complete. Would someone care to make a motion? Speaker 10 00:20:05 Madam Chair, this is Councilwoman Cahill. I'd be glad to make a motion that we approve this application. Speaker 3 00:20:12 Do I have a second? Roll Saunders. Second. Thank you. Roll call. Speaker 1 00:20:15 Mayor Wahler? Yes. Councilwoman Cahill? Speaker 10 00:20:19 Yes. Speaker 1 00:20:19 Ms. Corcoran? Yes. Ms. Saunders? Yes. Reverend Kinneally? Speaker 8 00:20:24 Yes. Speaker 1 00:20:26 Mr. Atkins? Yes. And Mr. Ahmed? Yes. And Madam Chair, sorry. Speaker 3 00:20:32 No, no problem. Yes. Thank you Mr. McPherson, your application. Thank you very Speaker 7 00:20:37 Much. Speaker 8 00:20:38 Thank you. Speaker 9 00:20:39 Is, is that a record or on time? Speaker 3 00:20:44 Close. Speaker 7 00:20:46 Thank you Speaker 3 00:20:46 Again. Thank you. Have a good night. Thank you. Good night. You too. Thank you. Number 11 has been withdrawn. Postponed, postponed, postponed. I'm sorry, it was a long one too. That's it. Number 12. Guess what? Do I have a motion to adjourn before we do that? Before we do that, it was a reminder that the site meeting is on January 22nd and 2025 at two 30. And our next planning board regular meeting is at seven o'clock on February 12th. Look at that. Done before the meeting would've even started last month. Speaker 1 00:21:27 Thanks. Seven o'clock's a good thing. We just have to remember, that's a beautiful thing. I'll make an offer to adjourn. Thank Speaker 3 00:21:34 You again. Okay. Second, I Good offer? Yes. All all in favor? A second. Aye. Aye. A have it. Speaker 1 00:21:41 Alright. Thank you. Happy to hear everyone happy. I apologize. I had the wrong slip. I didn't call him for any of the reorganization meeting. You are still here. I apologize, sir. I'm glad to be back. That's what I said. I'm like, I didn't call him Speaker 3 00:21:55 Welcome back. You Speaker 1 00:21:56 Look week. I'm not right in ahead. I'm telling you. All right, well thank you everyone. Have a good evening. Thank you. Speaker 3 00:22:02 Take care. Bye-bye. Speaker 1 00:22:03 Bye-bye.