The West Amwell Planning Board Workshop meeting of May 15, 2003 was held at the Municipal Building at 150 Lambertville Rocktown Rd., Lambertville, N.J. Chairman, Jeff Ent opened the meeting at 7:30 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.

ROLL CALL ON ATTENDANCE:

VanDerVeen-here, Schapella-here, Smith-here, Greenwood-here, Palladino-here, Bleacher-here, Ent-here, Dudbridge-here, Perri-here. Hunt arrived at 8:40 p.m., Buchsbaum-arrived at 9:50 p.m. Meader-absent.

Also, present: A. Mercantante, Planner, Attorney William Shurts, Hydrologist, Matt Mulhall.

Robert Clerico, Engineer.

Audience: Mike Rassweiler, Thomas King, Hal Shute, Ruth Hall.

Proposed Land Use Areas

Planner Mercantante displayed a map of the Township showing the proposed zoning changes. He distributed a handout. The board reviewed this document.

Comments:

Shapella prefers current Master Plan goals.

Recreation Commission would like the Equestrian trails deleted.

Historic roads should be included.

Mercantante recommended special design standards for scenic corridors.

VanderVeen suggested the community information such as history and preference for rural character be included in the Master Plan.

Mercantante suggested the stream corridor buffer be increased. (A quick vote of members gave a positive vote in the majority).

VanderVeen suggests a "to-do-list" and proceed with the Master Plan.

Clerico stated the stream corridor definitions should be perfected.

Palladino stated the Municipal Assessment which recommended eleven (11) steps, should be taken one step at a time.

Informal consensus: South Middle North SRPD

Bleacher 2-4 2-4 3 4

VanderVeen 6 6 4 11

Shapella 10 5 5 10

Ent 4 4 3 8

Buchsbaum 6-8 6 3-4 8

Perri 4 4 3 10

Dudbridge 10 10 6 15

Smith 6-8 6 4 8

Hunt 3 2-3 2 4

Adesoji Adelaja, Ph.D., Exe. Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources from Rutgers University gave comments on agriculture in the future.

A workshop was scheduled for May 28, 2003.

A Public Hearing will be June 25, 2003.

Tom King asked what impact the land in preservation has on his taxes?

Chairman Ent suggested Assessor David Gill come to the next workshop for some insight on the tax impact of preservation and down zoning.

Motion to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. was set forth by Shapella and seconded by Perri.

Roll call: all members present signified - ayes.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine L. Park, Sec.