MINUTES

OF THE

CRANBURY TOWNSHIP

PLANNING BOARD

CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

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 November 3, 2005, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

Thomas Harvey, Chairperson, of the Cranbury Township Planning Board, called the meeting to order and acted as the Chairman thereof.

STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE NOTICE

Pursuant with the Sunshine Law adequate notice according to the open public meeting 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 PRESENT

Mr. Dreyling, Mr. Golubieski, Mr. Kehrt, Mr. Speer, Mr. Stout, Ms. Weidner, Mr. Harvey

PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

Ms. Carolyn Cummings, Court Reporter; Josette C. Kratz, Administrative Officer/Planning Secretary; Cathleen Marcelli, Township Engineer, Joseph Stonaker, Esquire, Planning Board Attorney; Richard Preiss, Township Planner

Examination of the Township of Cranbury’s Master Plan portion involving the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan

Housing Element and Fair Share Plan

Draft October 21, 2005

Prepared and Presented by Mary Beth Lonergan, PP, AICP

Notice was published in the Home News Tribune on October 21, 2005

Notification was mailed to the Adjacent Clerks on October 21, 2005

Notification and a copy was sent via FedEx to the Middlesex County Planning Board on October 21, 2005 and received on October 24, 2005

Tom Harvey thanked the professionals for their hard work on this plan.

Mr. Stonaker explained what the board was doing tonight. Ms. Kratz confirmed publication and notification. Mr. Stonaker sworn in the Township’s professionals.

Ms. Lonergan gave an overview of the Third Round report first explaining income levels. Third round growth share number is 160 units. This is consistent with the state plan. The third round is made up of three components. Prior round made up of regional contribution agreements and had 76 affordable units built. Twp adopted growth share ordinance.

Ms. Lonergan explained that regional agreements would be credited for next round. Rental units cannot be priced at rate higher than 60% of median income. Most provide at least 10% at 35% median income. It is not realistic that they all can afford those rents; they have to be able to pay the rent.

Mr. Preiss explained how they came to decide locations and criteria sub-committee used. Site had to have access to water sewer and roadways, environmental suitable, accessible to community facilities, compatible with surrounding land uses and in scale and character of neighborhood, state plan designated as acceptable, size and shape to accommodate building, economics, and geographic distribution (not all in one area). They agreed on three sites, two had already been designated prior. First was the Maplewood Site, a single lot on Maplewood Avenue already owned by CHA. Second was Four Seasons @ Cranbury site, which was agreed upon in settlement already. Lastly, was the Route 130 “D” site, which would have to be acquired.

Mr. Stonaker said that after last meeting there was input from public with two issues left by board for actions this evening. The use of Four Seasons for family or senior units. “Or” was put in the draft. Other was restricted access to Ryan road and language was added to restrict access to emergency and pedestrian only.

Mr. Preiss explained its advantages and that it as not located on the east of Route 130. It has 400 ft of depth; others looked at were much shallower. There would be sufficient room to setback from Route 130. There was no history that indicated contamination. Due diligence would have to be done. It shares common characteristic with residential development. A few years ago a proposed plan was to put a fairly large office building 40,000 SF with large parking lot, which would have far more impact on the neighborhood. It may be more that 24 but less than 48 units.

Mr. Griffin said that he supported limited access to Ryan Road. He pointed out the danger of access on Route 130 in that area. If he lived there he would just park on Silvers Lane as opposed to put up with the problems.

Ms. Stave said that part of her reason for flexibility was to put senior housing next to a substantial senior development. Common grounds consideration could be given since there is the adjacent open space.

Ms. Weidner felt the diversity in the school is better. He asked about merging with the Route 130 verse the one parcel. One unit and 25 on Route 130 versus access could be avoided.

Mr. Stasis asked if they would see site plans tonight. Mr. Harvey said that they would not see them until CHA comes in. Mr. Stasis said that development was on the Board and knew it as 16 units. That site is bussed to school. She was told 16 units when they bought their house and disturbing to see now 20 or 30 units. There are maples lining the street. She was concerned if they would fit on the site and what the plan would look like. The density would be much higher, what services would have to be provided, common areas, etc.

Mr. Preiss said the density would be comparable to the development CHA has already done in Cranbury. It would be no different that most people do not know they are affordable housing.

Mr. Berkowsky said that the site was 2.67 ac with 20 units planned. Density would be less than RLM Zone. They had always looked at 20 units and planned for such. They agreed with parking situation, but they are not the affordable housing’s cars creating the parking problems on South Main Street, which was a County road.

Mr. Harvey felt there were two issues: one concerning one-unit to park and secondly the issue of flex or family. He asked for comments from the Township Committee.

Mr. Stonaker read the resolution into the record.

ROLL CALL

AYES: Mr. Dreyling, Mr. Golubieski, Mr. Kehrt, Mr. Speer, Mr. Stannard, Mr. Stout, Ms. Weidner, Mr. Harvey

NAYS: None

ABSTAIN: None

ABSENT: None

MOTION CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

There being no further business, on motion duly made, seconded, and carried, the meeting was thereupon adjourned at 10:25 p.m.

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

I, 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 November 3, 2005, consisting of 11 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 23, 2006.

Josette C. Kratz, Secretary

/jck