EAST AMWELL PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

April 9, 2008 at 7:30 PM East Amwell Municipal Building

Call to Order, Attendance and Pledge of Allegiance

This meeting of the East Amwell Planning Board was opened on April 9, 2008 at 7:30 PM. The following notice was read, “In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, this is a regularly scheduled meeting pursuant to the annual meeting notice as published in the January 17, 2008 issue of the Hunterdon County Democrat, a copy of the agenda for this meeting was forwarded to the Hunterdon County Democrat, filed in the Township Clerk’s Office and posted on the bulletin board on April 2, 2008.”

Present: Roberta Canfield

Fred Gardner

Robert Gilbert

Gail Glashoff

Bela Kamensky (arrived at 7:45 PM)

Linda Lenox

Don Reilly, Chairman

Dart Sageser

Michael Weis

Joe Wolfgang

Roger DeLay

Frank Banisch, Planner

Chris Norman, Attorney

Dennis O’Neal, Engineer

Citizens’ Privilege to Speak on Items Not on the Agenda

Chairman Reilly opened the floor to public comment on anything not listed on the agenda. No one came forward. A motion by Fred Gardner, seconded by Linda Lenox to close to the public was unanimously approved.

Review of Minutes

A motion by Gail Glashoff, seconded by Linda Lenox to approve the minutes from 3/12/08 with a few minor revisions was unanimously approved.

New Business – Other

Discussion: Consideration of renewal of Ordinance 05-21 with respect to exemption from site plan review of “tents” used in conjunction with a “veterinary hospital”

Attorney Norman commented that the Board and Township Committee had already approved Ordinance 05-21 which allowed the Equine Center to have a temporary tent. He noted that the ordinance had an expiration date of December 31, 2007 and now the Equine Center is returning to the Board and asking that the date be extended so they can keep their temporary tent up. Attorney Norman stated the Board can either eliminate the date all together, or set a new expiration date.

East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – April 9, 2008

Attorney Connelly came forward on behalf of the MidAtlantic Equine Center and stated that the original ordinance was passed two years ago due to an emergency caused by a salmonella outbreak and the need to house horses. In the interim, MidAtlantic has been before the Board with a permanent plan for a major expansion and is still pursuing that application. However, there has been another outbreak of salmonella and MidAtlantic is being called upon again to take on horses from other facilities. They are requesting to put the temporary tent back up.

The consensus of the Board was to extend the expiration date to December 31, 2009 in order to provide MidAtlantic with sufficient time to finalize their original application to expand their facility.

Chairman Reilly opened the floor to public comment. No one came forward.

A motion by Gail Glashoff, seconded by Roberta Canfield to extend the expiration date on the original temporary tent ordinance to December 31, 2009 was approved with Mr. Kamensky abstaining.

Roll Call Vote: Gail Glashoff: Yes, Roberta Canfield: Yes, Fred Gardner: Yes, Rob Gilbert: Yes, Linda Lenox: Yes, Don Reilly: Yes, Dart Sageser: Yes, Michael Weis: Yes, Joe Wolfgang: Yes, Roger DeLay:Yes.

Discussion: Continued support of the Department of Agriculture

Ms. Lenox explained that at the Township’s Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting they suggested the various Boards and Committees send in letters of support in an effort to try and get Governor Corzine to reconsider his position on abolishing the State’s Department of Agriculture.

Chairman Reilly commented that he did not want the Planning Board to become a political forum, but that if the Board believes the development of the Township is enhanced by having the Department of Agriculture, then the Board may want to consider sending a letter.

Since the Township Committee had already drafted a Resolution from their perspective, a motion was made by Rob Gilbert and seconded by Linda Lenox to allow Chairman Reilly and Administrative Officer Andrews to rework the Township Committee’s Resolution so that it applied to the Planning Board and send it to all relevant County authorities.

Discussion: Endorsement of Route 31 Corridor Study

Planner Joanna Slagle from Banisch Associates presented a fact finding report complete with color maps on the study and possible rezoning of the Route 31 corridor. Several Board members complimented how thorough the report was. There was some discussion and the following suggestions were made: The ranking of the maps should be referenced on each map, and the road boundaries outside of East Amwell should be shown for about a mile radius so people can better orient themselves when viewing the maps.

Ms. Glashoff asked what will be done with the study once it is adopted. Chairman Reilly commented that it will be kept and maintained as a reference document which will help establish a rationale for any changes the Planning Board makes to the Master Plan. Chairman Reilly suggested the Board endorse the Route 31 Study tonight and let Planner Slagle make the noted revisions.

A suggestion was made to post the study on the Township Website. Ms. Andrews will ask Township Administrator Matheny if this is possible.

Chairman Reilly opened the floor to public comment on this matter, no one came forward.

East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – April 9, 2008

A motion by Gail Glashoff, seconded by Linda Lenox to endorse the Route 31 Study and allow Planner Slagle to make the noted revisions was unanimously approved.

Roll Call Vote: Gail Glashoff: Yes, Linda Lenox: Yes, Roberta Canfield: Yes, Fred Gardner: Yes, Rob Gilbert: Yes, Bela Kamensky: Yes, Don Reilly: Yes, Dart Sageser: Yes, Michael Weis: Yes.

Discussion: Review of 2008 Planning Board Goals/Priorities

With respect to the Tree Harvesting Ordinance, Mr. Weis noted that the subcommittee will try and get together to review this issue by June 2008 and report back to the Planning Board.

Mr. Gardner commented on his desire to name, the currently unnamed streams in the Township. He stated he believed he could get the cooperation of the South Branch Watershed. It was the consensus of the Board to endorse whatever names may be suggested. Mr. Sageser stated that his wife is on the Historic Commission and commented that it is possible some of the streams may have been named historically, and over the years the names have been overlooked.

Chairman Reilly suggested the Board open to the public at this time. No one objected to the change in the agenda. Chairman Reilly opened to the public. Andrea Bonette of 17 Ridge Road came forward on behalf of the Sourland Mountain Planning Council and asked if she could get a copy of the Realtor mailing that was done by the Planning Board regarding the environmentally sensitive Sourland Mountain. Ms. Andrews stated she would email a copy of the mailing to Ms. Bonette.

A motion by Fred Gardner, seconded by Linda Lenox to close to the public was unanimously approved.

Oral Reports

FOSPC: Ms. Lenox reported that the preservation outreach fair was a success. Mr. Gardner commented that he had heard from someone who attended that they enjoyed the forum and the opportunity the fair presented.

Agricultural Advisory Committee: Ms. Lenox reported that there is a Farm Forum event scheduled for 10/20/08 and she will provide upcoming details.

Environmental Commission: Mr. Sageser reported that the Commission was pleased with the Planning Board’s suggestions regarding the Pantel/Rynearson proposed subdivision.

SM Smart Growth Grant: No report given.

Stormwater Committee: No report given.

COAH: Attorney Norman commented that a Superior Court Judge in Burlington County had recently stayed the third round COAH plans in that area and noted he would keep the Board informed of the outcome.

PB Secretary: Ms. Andrews noted that she was in receipt of a binder containing the “Amendment Application For The Water Quality Management Plan” if anyone was interested in reviewing it.

Chairman: No report given.

Attorney Norman and Planner Slagle left the meeting at this time, 8:29 PM.

Ms. Canfield asked if anyone knew what was happening along Frontage Road. She indicated she thought it may have something to do with extending gas lines. Chairman Reilly suggested any activity going on may actually be taking place in West Amwell and noted he wasn’t aware of anything specific.

East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – April 9, 2008

Presentation of Vouchers

A motion by Linda Lenox, seconded by Gail Glashoff to pay the vouchers as listed on the agenda was unanimously approved.

Chairman Reilly adjourned the meeting at 8:33 PM.

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Maria Andrews, Administrative Officer