WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD

MARCH 18, 2003

Pledge of Allegiance

ROLL CALL ON ATTENDANCE:

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

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

Motion to approve of the minutes of January 21, 2003 with notation to be included-"Professional appointments were voted on." was set forth by VanDerVeen and seconded by Perri. Roll call: all members present signified -ayes.

Motion to approve of the minutes of January 29, 2003 was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Perri. Roll call: all members present signified - ayes.

Motion to approve of the minutes of February 11, was set forth by Buchsbaum and seconded by Bleacher. Roll call: all members present signified ayes. Hunt, Ent, Bleacher, Perri-abstained.

APPROVAL OF BILL LIST

Motion to approve of the bill list for March 18, 2003 was set forth by Meader and seconded by VanDerVeen. Roll call: all members present - signified - ayes.

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 reviewed the revised plans dated January 29, 2003. The plans show a five (5) foot cut into the right of way for a site distance of five hundred (500) feet. Mr. Baill did not agree with Engineer Clerico’s recommendations. He asked where in the Ordinance was the design standard he was requiring? Clerico responded: Part five Section F Sub Section 9-10, Para 13, Sub Section C. "Design Standards" Driveways due to curves require topo and footage specifications to be included on the plans as well as 30/100 foot grading.

Some discussion followed: no resolve.

Item #4 of Clerico’s review letter: Mr. Lang is still waiting for LOI from DEP.

Engineer Clerico stated: the issues the Board has to address are: Their position on the site

(Minutes of March 18, 2003 - page 2)

easement, the LOI, and the flag lot. Ken Baill stated, he met with Mr. Katz, who works for the DEP. He felt the applicant should not remove a significant tree which is in the driveway area.

Mr. Clerico stated: the applicant can seek relief from the standard, but should do the required 30/100 triangle. Mr. Baill said he used the NJDOT standards. Mr. Clerico suggested, the adjacent property owner could grade his property to accommodate the requirement. Mr. Clerico proposed a shift of the location for the flag stem. Mr. Lang stated: he did not want to fall into a denial of a waiver. Mr. Lang agreed to come back in April with an alternate plan for site distance. Carried.

Martin Jennings, Esq. represented the application. Mr. Blanche was present. Attorney Shurts read Resolution #1-2003 which he prepared for this application.

Motion to approve was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Perri. Roll call: Dudbridge-aye, Bleacher-abstained, Greenwood-no, Ent-aye, Buchsbaum-stepped down, VanDerVeen-no, Hunt-aye, Smith-aye, Perri-aye.

Resolution to be memorialized and distributed accordingly.

Vincent Bisogno, Esq. represented the applicants, Tamke Tree Experts. Robert Lorentz, PE of Heritage Consulting Engineers addressed the waivers. He outlined the changes on a colorized version of Exhibit A-2 which was marked Exhibit A-9 sheet one of 3 Revised March 6, 2003. The map showed a large area colored in blue which was submitted to the DEP for an LOI. The permit has not been received as of this date. The standard D&R requirement is 100 foot buffer. They will need a waiver for the detention basin. D&R would prefer to reduce the current buffer and increase the buffer in another area of the plan.

Waivers and requests needed:

1. Seek waiver of the Township buffer and defer to the D&R requirements.

2. Walkways need to be concrete as per Clerico. Tamke would like to pave to the building with wheel stops. This should meet the requirements for all units.

3. Waiver requesting the road pavement meet the RSIS standards not the Township’s.

4. Waiver for curbing and landscape areas. Okay with leaving curbing on the curves for the site.

5. Lighting waiver. Each unit has an exterior light fixture (down-directed). The complex plans to have three (3) lamp posts on all the time.

6. Requesting timber guard rails for the slope areas.

7. The well would be a community non-public well, tested annually with test results submitted to the DEP and copied to the Health department.

8. Signage. Two free standing signs, one at Route 179 and Kari Drive, and one at the driveway entrance to the complex, each measuring two by six a total of twenty-four(24) square feet. Also, requesting a single directory sign four by six with unit and tenant names inside the complex.

9. Fire Pond on Breen property to be accessed for fire prevention. Chairman Ent would prefer a stand pipe.

10. Buffer. Plans are to plant a solid evergreen buffer for screening purposes.

Mr. Hunt presented three (3) photos of prototype buildings. (They were marked for exhibits as A10, A11, A12. He also suggested the evergreen buffer would have other softening plantings and wood chips with railroad tie curbing.

Engineer Clerico summarized his letter and waivers: Item A1 outdoor storage 30 by 60 gravel area should be limited to the exclusive use of the property owners. Should be listed as a condition.

A-3. Site triangle, is acceptable with condition to maintain. A-4. Stream corridor, he would recommend deferring to the D&R standard. Would need a waiver from the standard for the fifty (50) foot buffer. The designation of the lights to be on for security is reasonable and no waiver needed. Require a water test before construction permit.

Motion to grant waiver on stream corridor standards was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Bleacher. Roll call: VanDerVeen excused herself. All other members present signified-ayes.

Motion to grant waiver on B-5D standard for sidewalk - granting no sidewalk necessary was set forth by Bleacher and seconded by Hunt. Roll call: VanDerVeen excused herself. All other members present signified - ayes.

Motion to grant waiver for parking spaces to be six (6) feet apart excluding overhead door areas, was set forth by Buchsbaum and seconded by Bleacher. Roll call: VanDerVeen excused herself.

All other members present signified - ayes.

Motion to grant waiver of curbing requirements, to be timber ties, was set forth by Bleacher and seconded by Hunt. Roll call: VanDerVeen excused herself. All other members present signified - ayes.

Motion to grant waiver of (D1AA page 4) paving standards for parking spaces. They could be less than standard but will comply for the aisles and entrance. All else will be granted relief was set forth by Buchsbaum and seconded by Bleacher. Roll call: VanDerVeen excused herself. All other members present signified - ayes.

Motion to grant waiver from the standard for guard rails, now to be timber, was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Greenwood. Roll call: VanDerVeen excused herself. All other members present signified ayes.

Motion to grant waiver for the evergreen buffer was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Perri. Roll call: VanDerVeen excused herself. All other members present signified - ayes.

Brian Mulligan, Esq., David Schmidt, Engineer, and Mark Bowles were present. Attorney Shurts stated the application had been deemed complete at the January 21, 2003 meeting. Engineer Clerico had submitted a revised letter with conditions. Brian Mulligan, Esq. agreed with the review comments and conditions. Engineer Schmidt will revise the map for the County.

Motion to approve with conditions outlined in Clerico’s letter was set forth by Hunt and seconded by Perri. Roll call: all members present signified - ayes. Greenwood-abstained.

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.

The application was deemed complete at the January 21, 2003 meeting subject to submission and marking of exhibits, Al-application, A-2 Affidavits of Service, Exhibit A3 & A4 Plans dated 03/01/02. Ms. Dunne swore in Frank Pazdin a Civil Engineer with Dewbern, Dewberry and Goodkind as an expert witness. He stated: the shed below the tower to house the equipment would be eleven (11) feet by six (6) inches wide six (6) feet deep. The area would be fenced, with only warning signs and emergency call numbers on the fence. This would be an unmanned site no water or septic. No improvements are required. It has a gravel driveway access. The total height of tower with the antennae will be 137 feet high. The antennae is four (4) feet high, six (6) feet wide set back four hundred forty (440) feet from Route 518.

Ms. Dunne swore in Alfred T. Jerger II of Motorola Civil Engineers as a Radio Frequency expert.

She marked for exhibit A-6 a signal strength poster. Mr. Jerger stated: his field test showed marginal service for the area. He explained the computer generated model showing the signal coverage. He submitted as exhibit A-7, the FCC required test report from Pinder Telecom Group.

Public Portion:

Deb Barr of Chimney Hill Rd asked what is the feasibility of no antennae on this tower and move it to another area? Ms. Dunne responded: PSE&G have granted permission to lease only that tower. Gary Dudbridge commented the tower and antennae were too visible from his home.

Jamie Kampf suggested a different kind of fencing. Perhaps wood instead of chain link.

Motion to approve the conditional use upon completeness of outstanding permits was set forth by Hunt and seconded by VanDerVeen. Roll call: Dudbridge excused himself. All other members present signified - ayes.

Motion to approve the site plan with a condition of Board on Board fencing was set forth by Buchsbaum and seconded by Shapella. Roll call: Dudbridge excused. All other members present signified - ayes.

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.

Attorney Shurts stated the application was deemed complete at the January meeting. Mr. Allibone had submitted a revised plan dated Feb 3, 2003. Engineer Clerico’s review letter dated Feb. 10, 2003 stated: the issues are variance relief, slope disturbance in excess of the ordinance, and driveway entrance. Mr. Clerico suggested the applicant redesign the driveway and return to the next meeting. Mr. Allibone granted an extension.

Bob and Robert Fulper were present. They proposed the Planning Board set up a sub committee to address the commonality issues of their application and position.

Chairman Ent asked for Volunteers. VanDerVeen suggested the open space committee take on the assignment.

Fulper committee: Joan VanDerVeen, Ron Shapella, Alex Greenwood, Peter Buchsbaum, and Jamie Kampf.

Mr. Fulper granted an extension to June meeting.

A workshop meeting was scheduled for April 16, 2003.

Jamie Kampf suggested, Agricultural Subdivisions be approved by sub committee only.

Motion to endorse agricultural subdivision be granted and approved by sub committee was set forth by Perri and seconded by VanDerVeen. Roll call: all members present signified - ayes.

Motion to adjourn at 01:20 a.m. was set forth by Shapella and seconded by Ent.

Roll call: all members present signified - ayes.

Respectfully submitted,
Catherine L. Park, Secretary