MINUTES - MENDHAM TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD

WORKSHOP MEETING, APRIL 1, 2002

The meeting of the Mendham Township Planning Board was called to order at 7:31 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Present:  Mr. Giordano, Mr. Tolley, Mayor Porter, Mr. Mountain,

Mr. Buchanan, Mrs. Kinsel, Mr. Majorossy, Mr. Timpson

Absent:  Mr. D’Emidio

Also Present:  Mr. Falcon, Attorney; Mr. Balut, Engineer; Mr. Kimball, Planner

Absent:  Mr. Aubin, Environmentalist

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

ADEQUATE NOTICE OF MEETING of the Mendham Township Planning Board was given as follows:  Notice was sent to the Daily Record and the Observer Tribune on January 4, 2002 .  Notice was posted on the bulletin board in the Township Hall in Brookside , New Jersey on January 4, 2002 , and Notice was filed with the Township Clerk on January 4, 2002 .

MINUTES – March 20, 2002 minutes moved, seconded and carried to approve.  Mayor Porter and Mr. Mountain abstained.

RESOLUTION PB 02-07

Resolution granting Minor Site Plan approval and Variance relief for premises of Mendham Golf and Tennis Club, Block 144, Lot 24.

At the request of Mr. Giordano, Mr. Falcon reviewed the Resolution Draft. He noted minor modifications he will be making.  Mr. Balut and Mrs. Kinsel initiated a discussion, which lead to a request that wording from the Tree Ordinance, Chapter 23, be utilized in the Resolution.  Mr. Balut suggested the plantings and all other modifications discussed be included on the plan as a future reference.

Mr. Falcon will incorporate these suggestions and provide a finalized Resolution.  Motion was made by Mr. Tolley and seconded by Mr. Buchanan.  Mayor Porter, Mr. Majorossy and Mr. Timpson abstained.  Mr. Giordano voted nay and motion carried.

MASTER PLAN ELEMENTS FOR APPROVAL

As chairman of the Master Plan Committee, Mr. Tolley proceeded to open discussion.  He indicated that Mr. Kimball would present highlights and major points in each element.  Board comments are encouraged.

Land Use Plan and Historical Preservation Plan

Mr. Kimball stated that these plans were previously adopted in 2001 but now required modification. The last paragraph in each of these Plans will include a reference to the newly created Appendix, “Lands Recommended to Be Reserved for Public Purposes,” developed by the Township Committee and approved by the Planning Board.

Mr. Kimball continued his presentation indicating that this same paragraph will also be incorporated into the last four elements being considered for adoption this evening.  Reserving these lands for development allows the municipality time to negotiate in the event listed properties become available for purchase.

Mr. Giordano opened the meeting to the public for comments.  There were no comments, and the meeting was closed to the public.

Motion was made by Mr. Tolley to adopt these modifications to the Land Use Plan and the Historic Preservation Plan and to include the new Appendix to the Master Plan.  Motion was seconded by Mayor Porter, vote all aye.

Community Facilities, Open Space, Recreation, and Conservation Plans

As an introduction to the final four elements, Mr. Kimball explained they were not a State requirement for a Master Plan and therefore, were the last to be developed. In the previous Master Plan of Mendham Township, Open Space, Community Facilities and Recreation were combined in one plan. He advised the Master Plan Committee to divide these elements into three separate plans in order to make them more closely aligned with the Municipal Land Use Law. 

Mr. Kimball especially wanted to thank the following residents and committees for their excellent contributions:

1.      Mrs. Koste on Open Space Plan

2.      Mrs. Zimmerman and Mr. Pierson on Community Facilities

3.      Daryl Brewster on Recreation

4.      Mrs. Link on Conservation.

Mr. Kimball indicated the approach this year in drafting these four plans was strategic rather than with specific, detailed recommendations as in the previous plan.  The reason for this is that the Township Committee has become more involved recently in implementing specific recommendations.

Community Facilities Plan

Mr. Kimball stressed the following three factors affecting community facilities:

1.      A need for high quality facilities due to heavy reliance on volunteers and keeping up their morale

2.      A recognition to cooperate with other communities

3.      An emphasis on preserving the historic character of the Township

The Board was asked for comments.  Mrs. Kinsel asked if there were any changes made since the Board’s last review prior to Public Hearing.

Mr. Kimball replied the only change was the word “acquisition” to “recommendation” as Mrs. Porter suggested at the previous meeting.

Mr. Giordano opened the meeting to the Public.  There being no comment, the meeting was closed to the public.

Mr. Tolley made a motion to adopt the Community Facilities Plan, Mr. Mountain seconded, vote all aye.

Open Space Plan

Mr. Kimball continued by saying the most important focus should be on the “greenway vision” as described on Page 99, which relates directly to the enclosed map. There is an attempt to coherently link open spaces, which affords many advantages.  This is the most important policy embodied in this plan.

The meeting was opened for Public comment with no comment being offered.

Mayor Porter explained the Open Space Committee evaluated every parcel of land in the Township with the “greenway concept” of foremost concern.  The result is the Appendix list.

Mr. Buchanan suggested adding The Wills Cemetery to the Oak Knoll Cemetery reference for historical purposes.

Mr. Giordano noted the correct spelling of Mosle Road be determined.

Mayor Porter pointed out that Water Street and Main Street in the Historic Preservation element are both correct.  It was decided to leave the name as Water Street .

Mr. Tolley made a motion to accept the Open Space Plan, Mr. Majorossy seconded, vote all aye.

Recreation Plan

Mr. Kimball described this as the third of three companion elements. Foremost in its preparation was the concept of “active” recreation.  Recommendations are strategic rather than detailed.  The enclosed map refers to these three companion elements.

There were no Public comments and Mr. Tolley made a motion to accept the Recreation Plan and the accompanying map.  There was a second by Mayor Porter, vote all aye.

Conservation Plan

Mr. Kimball continued his summary by explaining this plan was the product of the Environmental Commission and was drafted by Mrs. Link.  Essentially, it is an important supporting document for the LUP.  Water resources are of major concern.  The plan sets forth environmental goals and objectives and makes reference to the Appendix.

Mr. Kimball added that if “Alternate Design Concepts” are considered and endorsed by the Board and the Township Committee at some future date, this element will require revision.

He introduced Mrs. Link in the audience to respond to questions.

Public Hearing was opened to the public.

Mrs. Koste, Open Space Committee, responded.  She wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Master Plan Committee for their extraordinary efforts.  She expressed concern about getting Master Plan information out to the public since so few were present.

Mr. Mountain and Mr. Kimball agreed to collaborate in preparing a press release and updating the Township website.

Mrs. Koste also requested this document become available in the Township Library.  Everyone agreed it was an excellent suggestion.

The meeting was closed to the public.

Motion was made by Mr. Tolley to accept the Conservation Plan with changes, seconded by Mr. Timpson, vote all aye.

One final issue before the Master Plan Committee is to finalize FAR standards.  The Committee will also prepare the reexamination report in the near future rather than waiting until the six-year requirement due in 2005. 

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Falcon proceeded to update the Board on Judge Stanton’s cell tower decision and its impact on the Mountain Union application.  Because the Judge threw out the existing ordinance, hearing this applicant will be delayed.

Mr. Giordano read Resolution PB- 02-08 allowing the Board to go into Closed Session.

CLOSED SESSION

There being no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded, all aye, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lillian Smith, Secretary