MINUTES

OF THE

CRANBURY TOWNSHIP

PLANNING BOARD

CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

APPROVED FEBRUARY 7, 2008

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING

            The regular meeting of the Cranbury Township Planning Board was held at the Cranbury Town Hall Municipal Building, Old School Building, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, New Jersey, Middlesex County, on October 4, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Josette C. Kratz called the meeting to order and presided over the meeting until Allan Kehrt, Acting-Chairman was appointed.

STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE NOTICE

            Pursuant with the Sunshine Law adequate notice in accordance with the open public meetings act was provided of this meeting’s date, time, place and agenda was mailed to the news media, posted on the Township bulletin board, mailed to those requesting personal notice, and filed with the municipal clerk.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

Michael Dulin, Allen Kehrt, Thomas Panconi, Eugene Speer, Richard Stannard, Dietrich Wahlers, Joan Weidner

PROFESSIONALS IN ATTENDANCE

Jacqueline M. Wahler, CSR, Court Reporter; Josette C. Kratz, Secretary; James A. Vena, P.E., Traffic Consultant (filling in this evening for Andrew Feranda); Cathleen Marcelli, P.E.; Valerie J. Kimson, Esquire; Richard Preiss, P.P.

APPOINTMENT OF ACTING CHAIRPERSON

Mr. Wahlers nominated and motioned for the appointment of Allen Kehrt as acting chairperson in order to conduct business for this meeting.  Mr. Dulin seconded the motion.

VOTE ROLL CALL

              AYES:      Mr. Dulin, Mr. Kehrt, Mr. Panconi, Mr. Stannard, Mr. Wahlers, Ms. Weidner

             NAYS:      None

       ABSTAIN:      None

         ABSENT:      Mr. Golubieski, Mr. Speer (arrived later), Mr. Harvey

MOTION CARRIED

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no public comments made.

MASTER PLAN RE-EXAMINATION HEARING

Proposed Amendment to the Land Use Plan of the Master Plan

Involving the Open Space and Recreation Plan Element

Mr. Kehrt thanked all of those that worked on the Recreation Master Plan.

Mr. Preiss gave a brief overview of the stages that took place and the changes: the correction of boundaries on the West Property and the deletion of the Township priority list.  A sentence was added indicating that Township residents may be able to utilize fields and facilities throughout Cranbury when fields are not reserved for formal activities.

They received feedback from Ms. Stave asking that the plan reflect a recommendation to incorporate a plan of Mr. Ferranda’s for aligning the entrance of Millstone Park on Old Trenton Road and a left turn storage lane on Old Trenton Road.

Ms. Marcelli briefed the board on discussions regarding County involvement.

There was discussion about lighting and the preference to not have any.

Ms. Weidner said that the school has approved field hockey and wrestling, as two newly approved sports.  Lacrosse is not an approved sport.

Mr. Robert Dillon asked about putting the old Unexcelled property into the open space inventory.  There was discussion but the property was unavailable.  The property was a privately owned parcel in the industrial zone and deemed unsafe until full munitions remediation has been completed.  If we list a privately owned property as open space there is the possibility that if someone, at a future time, may be entitled to a temporary or permanent taking.

Mr. Hasselbach also spoke of his recollection of the discussion at the time he was on Committee.

Mr. Speer motioned for the approval of the Open Space and Recreation Plan Element.  Mr. Dulin seconded the motion.

VOTE ROLL CALL

              AYES:      Mr. Dulin, Mr. Kehrt, Mr. Panconi, Mr. Speer, Mr. Stannard, Mr. Wahlers, Mr. Weidner

             NAYS:      None

       ABSTAIN:      None

         ABSENT:      Mr. Golubieski, Mr. Harvey

MOTION CARRIED

APPLICATIONS

PB 122-06        Danny Perovic/ADJ Land Developers, LLC

                        Block 5, Lot 14

                        2670 Route 130

                        Minor Site plan for Change of Use to Restaurant

REPRESENTATIVES:             Donald S. Driggers, Esquire

                                                Dan Perovic, Applicant

                                                Joe Perovic, Applicant

                                                Allen Perovic, Applicant

                                                Mark Berkowsky, Architect

Mr. Driggers explained that this was an existing site on County Road 535, east side.  There presently was an Enterprise Car Rental on the site and recently the vet’s office vacated.

Ms. Kimson swore in the applicant’s professionals and the boards professionals.

EXHIBIT A-1   Colorized Site Plan

EXHIBIT A-2   Colorized Site Plan

It was mentioned that washing of cars was not a permitted activity and that the applicant would take full steps to stop any further continuation of that activity.

The existing satellite dish was used for vehicle tracking, but the applicant felt that it was no longer in use and would look into having it removed.

The intended operation hours for the pizzeria would be Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with outdoor seating for consumption of food.  There would be no outdoor food service provided.  Intent was for a more park-like setting of twenty (20) seats.  Seating would be on the west of the building and would be seasonal.  At this time, there were no plans to be open on Sundays.

The applicant intended to be part of the sewer connection formula.

Dumpster would be located to the rear, further than currently located.

No large trucks would be permitted on site.

Ms. Marcelli mentioned that the applicant would be responsible for obtaining the necessary permits and their fair share cost for the sewer extension.

The intention was to have the pizza sign under the Enterprise sign as one freestanding sign.  There would be a sign on the building, which would conform to the ordinance.  They would eliminate two existing signs and no signs would be within the site triangle.

Mr. Preiss asked about the fence.  The applicant stated that they would replace the fence.  Ms. Marcelli asked that it be noted on the plans and a detail provided.

There was question on the amount of cars in the parking lot.  Mr. Driggers explained that Enterprise has taken advantage of the parking area available from the closure of the veterinarian’s office and that the applicant would enforce the parking issue.

Mr. Speer asked how the enforcement would take place.  Mr. J. Pervoic said that the agreement was that they have no vehicles in excess of twelve (12) parked overnight.

Mr. Preiss asked about vacuuming.  Applicant advised to look further into that operation.

The applicant would need a waiver for the import of additional 1,000 CY of fill.

Ms. Marcelli asked if the engineer was going to give some testimony on the storm water management system. 

Mr. Driggers said that the engineer was not present tonight.

Ms. Marcelli said traditionally the board hears some testimony so the board can understand, generally, how the storm water management system was working.  She also had other questions.  She wanted to hear testimony with regard to some of the waiver requests. 

Mr. Kehrt indicated he had never seen an application come before the board without engineering testimony.

Mr. Berkowsky said that the applicant would provide curbing along the pedestrian sidewalk. 

Mr. Preiss asked what the proposed colors for the building would be.  Mr. Berkowsky said that they did not discuss that.

Mr. Driggers said that they would have to bring the engineer back at a later hearing and asked if they could carry until the next meeting in November.

Mr. Preiss asked that applicant bring a color rendering of the building indicating their proposed color choices.

Ms. Marcelli said that she understood applicant’s desire to keep the existing driveway so as to avoid having to obtain a road-opening permit; however, since the Township does have a standard for a two-way driveway to be  30” and applicant’s driveway does not meet that standard, testimony must be provided.

Ms. Marcelli’s recollection was that there was a sign saying all traffic should turn right and if so that would limit the accessibility.

Mr. Kehrt felt that the lighting on this site was too intense.  Mr. Berkowsky said that brighter was better.

Mr. Preiss felt a medical office-parking ratio should be applied, because a veterinarian’s office was similar in operation.

Ms. Marcelli said she agreed with Mr. Berkowsky with regard to the curbing as there are requirements for storm water management purposes that you want to eliminate it to allow sheet flow.  However, she was also concerned with the driveway width and pavement thickness.

Mr. Stannard felt that there would need to be a change with the Enterprise operation.  He has rented from them many times and every single time they use that parking area for staging vehicles.

Ms. Marcelli said that there might be another option.  If the applicant restricted the building to just office space then they could reduce the amount of parking required and comply.  If he applicant wanted to restrict the tenants in that building there parking might not be as much of a concern.  She agreed with Mr. Preiss that medical would intensify the usage of parking demand on the site.

Applicant asked to carry until November 1, 2007.

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

There being no further business, on motion duly made, seconded, and carried, the meeting was thereupon adjourned.

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

                        I, the undersigned, do hereby certify;

                        That I am duly elected and acting secretary of the Cranbury Township Planning Board and, that the foregoing minutes of the Planning Board, held on October 4, 2007, consisting of 5 pages, constitute a true and correct copy of the minutes of the said meeting.

                        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name of said Planning Board this February 7, 2008.

                                                                        Josette C. Kratz, Secretary

/jck