Pledge of Allegiance

The West Amwell Planning Board meeting of January 21, 2003 was held at the Municipal Building at 150 Lambertville Rocktown Rd, Lambertville, N.J. Chairman, Attorney William Shurts opened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. He declared the meeting was advertised and complied with the "Open Public Meetings Act." The meeting was taped and the tape placed in the general files.

Attorney Shurts administered the Oath of Office to the new members of the Board. He swore in

Betty Jane Hunt as a Class II member for a term of one year. Gary Bleacher as Class III member for one year term. Peter Buchsbaum as Class I for one year, Ron Shapella as Class IV three year term. Alexander Greenwood Alternate #1 two year term. Nance Palladino as Mayors designee.

ROLL CALL ON ATTENDANCE:

Perri-here, Ent-here, VanDerVeen-here, Palladino-here, Hunt-here, Schapella-here, Dudbridge-here, Meader-here, Smith-here, Buchsbaum-here, Bleacher-here, Greenwood-here.

Also, present: William Shurts, Esq., Robert Clerico, Engineer, A. Mercantante, Planner.

Results of the Nominations and appointments: Board of 2003

Chairman: Jeff Ent

Vice Chairman: Bernard Meader

Secretary: Catherine Park

Chairman Jeff Ent appointed Betty Jane Hunt, Bernard Meader and Gary Dudbridge as the Subdivision Committee.

Designated Newspapers: Trenton Times with an alternate: Hunterdon County Democrat.

Professional appointments:

Planner: Anthony Mercantante

Attorney: William Shurts

Engineer: Robert Clerico

Motion to approve of the minutes of October 15, 2002 with notation to be included-"Buchsbaum excused himself from the board" and "Orleans has some street lights"was set forth by Meader and seconded by Perri. Roll call: all members present signified -ayes. Bleacher-abstained.

Motion to approve of the minutes of November 19, 2002 was set forth by Meader and seconded by Shapella. Roll call: all members present signified - ayes. Shapella, Buchsbaum and Bleacher abstained.

Motion to approve of the minutes of December 21, was set forth by Meader and seconded by Hunt.

Roll call: all members present signified ayes. Dudbridge and Bleacher abstained.

APPROVAL OF BILL LIST

Motion to approve of the bill list for January 21, 2003 was set forth by Meader and seconded by VanDerVeen. Roll call: all members present - signified - ayes. Bleacher abstained.

Martin Jennings, Esq. represented the application. Mr. Blanche was present. William Bohren Engineer was sworn in for testimony by Attorney Shurts. Mr. Bohren displayed a rendering of the re-alignment of Rocktown Road which was marked as exhibit A-5. The plan proposing 5.984 acre parcel be subdivided into two (2) lots, one 2.969 acres and one 3.04 acre lot as remaining land.

The shortage would be 3100^th of an acre in this zone.

Mr. Blanche testified that he was not successful in purchasing additional land to make his lot conforming. He stated for the record: "his original survey was incorrect." It showed 7.5 acres.

He wants to sell both lots. It is currently under farmland assessment. Mr. Fulper farms this parcel and stated the land has been productive and there is adequate water supply across the street, at the dairy. Mr. Fulper added the curve in the road should have been softened years ago.

Attorney Shurts said the application would need a variance for the shortage of acreage. Mr. Blanche said the road dedication should be a trade off.

Motion to grant a variance for shortage on lot size was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Dudbridge. Roll call: Bleacher abstained, Shapella-no, Meader-aye, Greenwood-no, Ent-aye, Buchsbaum-stepped down, VanDerVeen-no, Hunt-aye, Smith-aye, Dudbridge aye, Perri-aye.

Motion to approve with conditions: revised maps, map show culvert location, set pins, was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Dudbridge. Roll call: Bleacher and Buchsbaum were no eligible to vote, Shapella disqualified himself, Meader- aye, Greenwood-no, Ent- aye, VanDerVeen-no, Hunt-aye, Smith-aye, Dudbridge-aye, Perri-aye.

Vincent Bisogno, Esq. represented the applicants, Tamke Tree Experts. He marked the following as exhibits for the hearing: A1-Original application, A2-Affidavit of Publication, and four photos marked A3, A4, A5 and A6. Douglas Hunt, Pres. of Tamke Tree and Robert Lorentz, PE of Heritage Consulting Engineers were sworn in for testimony.

Mr. Hunt stated: Presently the headquarters for Tamke Tree is located at 706 Martinsville Road in Liberty Corner, NJ. The company rents a small satellite office off of Route 179 in West Amwell. Their main business is the maintenance of trees and shrubbery. Mr. Hunt said he has a contract of sale to purchase the property pending the approval of the site plan. The land is 80% wooded with an open grass area. They intend to build in the open area. The plan is to build two buildings for office and storage spaces. The property is in the HC zone which permits retail and storage facilities. Tamke Tree intends to occupy 2400 square feet of building A which will be 10,000 square feet total. The remaining 8100 square feet will be flex space and offered as eight (8) rental units. Building B has 8400 square feet and will have eight (8) flex rental spaces. The construction is concrete block, twenty (20)feet eight (8) inches high with fourteen (14) foot overhead doors. The flex space will be divided into fourteen (14) individual rental modules, each with a window, bathroom, passage door, loft for additional storage and overhead door. Photos of similar buildings in Flemington were distributed to the Board members.

The applicants are proposing an outdoor storage area for wood chips and tree products for future disposal. The facility will not be open to the public. Mr. Lorentz requested a total of three (3) signs, one on Route 179, second one at the driveway entrance on Kari Drive and the third, directly on the site. The signage proposal was marked as Exhibit A7. The plan shows 76 parking spaces.

Engineer Clerico the applicants are seeking several waivers. The Board Members must review the parking, handicap parking, the proposed paved area , sidewalks in the complex and the proposed septic system. Since there was a great deal of information which had to be presented a the next meeting, the applicants requested an extension to carry the application to the March 18, 2003 meeting.

LANG, STEVE - MINOR- BLOCK 23 LOT 16

Ken Baill and Steve Lang were present. Chairman Ent moved this application to the end of the agenda.

David Schmidt, engineer for the project requested the application be deemed complete. Engineer Clerico recommended the Board waive items 6-J, 6-K and 10 and 20 which are noted in his review letter dated January 16, 2003.

Motion to grant waivers on items 6J, 6K, 10 and 20 of Clerico’s review letter was set forth by Buchsbaum and seconded by Perri. Roll call: all members present signified ayes.

Carried to next meeting.

Thomas Allibone represented himself. The applicant proposes a single lot minor subdivision creating a two (2) acre lot in the front portion of his property along Mill Road. The remaining lands are a four (4) acre lot which includes a home and outbuildings.

Motion to deem complete was set forth by Buchsbaum and seconded by Hunt.

Roll call: all members present signified - ayes.

Lynn Dunne, Esq. represented the application. She stated for the record: The Cellco Partnership plans to install an antennae on the top of an existing 127 foot tall PSE&G transmission tower.

Engineer Clerico reviewed his letter dated January 15, 2003. In his letter he recommended waivers be granted for items 17-d, 22, 21, 7-g and 27 for completeness.

Motion to waive items listed above was set forth by Meader and seconded by Buchsbaum.

Roll call: Dudbridge-abstained, all other members present signified- ayes.

Motion to deem complete was set forth by Meader and seconded by Buchsbaum.

Roll call: Dudbridge- abstained, all other members present signified - ayes

Carried to February meeting.

FULPER FAMILY-GED-(Carried from December 2002)

Mr. Fulper sent a letter to the Planning Board requesting an extension to February meeting.

LANG, STEVE - MINOR - BLOCK 23 LOT 16

Steve Lang and Ken Baill were present for the application. Ken Baill said he prepared a DEP application for Wetlands, applied for an LOI, and tried to purchase additional land from the adjoining property owners. Engineer Clerico stated: The plans show a five (5) foot cut into the right of way for a site distance of five hundred (500) feet. He suggested the applicant and Mr. Baill meet with him at the site to resolve any questions. (First on agenda, February meeting). Carried.

Buchsbaum said there are three items to address:
1. General Language
2. Cluster/Concept
3. Draft of Planner-(set up a sub committee)

Next workshop is planned with Ed Clerico on January 29, 2003.

Motion to adjourn at 11:10 p.m. was set forth by Meader and seconded by Ent.

Roll call: all members present signified - ayes.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine L. Park, Secretary