WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD
NOVEMBER 21, 2000
The West Amwell Township’s Planning Board meeting of November 21, 2000 was called to order in the new Municipal Building located at 150 Rocktown Lambertville Road, at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Jeff Ent, same declaring compliance with Open Public Meetings Act. The meeting was taped and tape placed in the general file.
Roll call on attendance: Meader-here, Ent-here, Backes-here, Perri-here, Comly-here, Hunt-here, VanDerVeen-here.
Absent: Bleacher, Aneskavich, Dudbridge, Greenwood.
Also, present: William Shurts, Esq., Robert Clerico, Engineer, Anthony Mercantante, P.P.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion to approve of the minutes of Sept. 19, 2000 was set forth by Comly and seconded by Meader. Roll call: all members present - signified ayes.
Minutes of October 17, 2000, carried to November meeting.
APPROVAL OF BILL LIST
No bills were presented for payment.
DENNIS, J. - Minor Application
Bruce Gage, Realtor represented the applicant. Also present was John Dennis, the property owner. Attorney Shurts stated the flag stem on Lot 17.07 was in compliance with flag lot standards, however Lot 17.05 had a flag stem in excess of one thousand feet (1000) in length. Attorney Shurts addressed Mr. Gage, he stated the application must have testimony to resolve this excess on that parcel. Bruce Gage submitted two letters, one from Wade Newton the surveyor for the tract, and one from Steve Ombalski, Engineer. The letters stated, they had conducted a site inspection and found it to have no restrictions to prohibit the construction of a driveway. Mr. Ent instructed Mr. Dennis to have his Engineer or expert witness at the next meeting to testify. Engineer Clerico reviewed his letter dated October 13, 2000. He suggested the driveway standards be examined before granting approval. Applicant granted extension to the December meeting.
DROBNIS, DIANE - Resolution-BLOCK 30 LOT 15
No one appeared for the resolution. Attorney Shurts read Resolution #8-2000 which he had prepared with conditions for driveway width and limits on further subdivision.
Motion to approve with conditions was set forth by Meader and seconded by Comly.
(Minutes of November 21, 2000 - page 2)
Roll call: Ent-aye, Comly-aye, Meader-abstained, Hunt-abstained, Perri-abstained, VanDerVeen-
abstained, Backes-abstained. Resolution to be memorialized and distributed accordingly.
Planner Mercantante suggested a deed amendment to record a farm workers residence as a temporary dwelling.
NEW BUSINESS/CORRESPONDENCE
CALTON HOMES - MAJOR SUBDIVISION
The question of street lighting was discussed by Betty Jane Hunt. She had investigated the possibility of gas lights instead of electric. She reported the gas would be more costly. The original street lighting plans could be scaled down the builder had no problem with less lighting. Mrs. Hunt will check with John Towle regarding the installation of wire and boxes that are capped for future use.
ORLEANS HOME BUILDERS. Mr. Ent stated they are supposed to pave, stripe and curb
the Fire Company lot.
STEVE WILLIAMSON was present. He asked if the Mt. Airy Project (now the Orleans Tract)
could move the houses away from his property line. The closest house is 350 feet away. His driveway is 600 feet long.
No comments.
GPU - SITE PLAN REVIEW
Grace Bertone, Esq. appeared for the application. She stated the public hearing had been noticed,
and presented the affidavit and the proofs of service as exhibits. Engineer Clerico reviewed his letter dated November 20, 2000. He stated the application would need a waiver for completeness
Application carried to December meeting.
CALTON HOMES - PHASE II SITE PLAN
No appeared for the application. Engineer Clerico reviewed his letter dated November 21, 2000.
He stated the file map is a procedural formality. Item #10 must have date of the file map and the recorded number of the map. Page 2 Item 2, The map must remove the Township easements from the filed map. Page 3 Item 4, The conservation line on Lot 20.59 must preserve the natural tree row. Engineer Clerico found no significant issues.
Carried to December meeting.
ORDINANCE ALLOWING MODIFICATION IN COMMERCIAL ZONE
Planner Mercantante presented a drafted ordinance allowing modification to existing non-conforming residences in the Commercial zone on Route 179.
The members present approved and recommended it be sent to the Township Committee for adoption.
Motion to send to Committee for adoption was set forth by Hunt and seconded by VanDerVeen.
Roll call: all members present signified - ayes.
STEEP SLOPE/STREAM CORRIDORS
Anthony Mercantante, Planner presented a draft ordinance for Critical Environmental Areas. This Ordinance would establish the building area in each zone (he presented a schedule). The schedule showed how the lots would be based on minimum useable area. Taking into consideration the slope, wetlands, open areas, flood hazard zones, wetland transition areas.
The steep slope Ordinance will be worked on for the next meeting.
VanDerVeen noted for the record, the Master Plan is due for review in 2001.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 10:35 p.m. was set forth by Perri and seconded by VanDerVeen.
Roll Call: all members present - signified ayes.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine L. Park, Secretary