MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
January 22, 2009
Sandy Batty read the Open Public Meeting Advertisement Notice: Adequate notice of this meeting was given to the Citizen and the Daily Record, was posted with the Borough Clerk and the Bulletin Board, and made available to all those requesting individual notice and paying the required fee.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Holmberg, Nix, Nachshen, Gormally, Tempesta, Shaw, Batty Absent: Selver, Mimberg, Loveys
Oaths of office for members beginning new terms were signed and authorized by Charles Gormally.
REORGANIZATION:
Election of Chairman: Sandy Batty was nominated by Steve Shaw, seconded by Charles Gormally. Election of Vice-Chairman: Joan Nix was nominated by Sandy Batty, seconded by Steve Shaw. The Chair and Vice-Chair were approved unanimously by a single roll call vote.
Appointment of Board Attorney: Steve Shaw recommended Peter Henry of Dillon, Bitar & Luther, seconded by Joe Tempesta.
Appointment of Board Engineer: Steve Shaw recommended William Ryden of Anderson and Denzler, seconded by Joe Tempesta. .
Appointment of Planning Consultant (as needed): Joan Nix recommended Duggan Kimball, seconded by Charles Gormally.
Appointment of Secretary and Administrative Officer: Joan Nix recommended Marge Jackson, seconded by Steve Shaw.
The previous four appointments were approved by 7-0 roll call vote.
Designation of Newspapers: The Citizen was designated as the paper of record and The Daily Record as the second paper of notice for 2009.
Designation of Meeting Dates: 2009 meeting dates were approved with a start time of 7:30:
February 26 June 25 October 22
March 26 July 23 November 19
April 23 August 27 December 10
May 28 September 24 January 28, 2010
The designated newspapers and meeting dates were approved by voice vote.
REVIEW OF MINUTES: The amended Sep. 25, 2008 minutes were approved by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: none
REPORTS:
Sandy Batty presented her list of committee members for the year.
Joan Nix reported that the Master Plan Committee will meet and continue work of the Master Plan Re-exam and use that information to amend the plan and give it to the Kimballs for review.
Sandy Batty said that her goal for the year is for the committees to spend time with emphasis on planning since we do not expect many applications considering the economy, the Highlands issue and the water restrictions.
Sandy Batty reported that Highlands has offered up to $100,000 grants for each municipality that has filed a letter of intent. Joe Tempesta reported that Bill Ryden has attended a class and will be part of a committee that will apply for grants because the process involves GIS mapping. Joe will meet with Bill Ryden and Susan Kimball on Tuesday 1/27. Sandy said the Bedminister ERI is being used as a test case and would be available for study.
Sandy Batty asked if all members were aware that Council filed its intent to conform and received an extension from COAH until December, 2009. Charles Gormally described that resolution as a non-binding letter of intent to conform. Steve Shaw said this is an opportunity to study the regional master plan.
Highlands has asked for information by Dec. 8, 2009, including:
1. Build-out analysis - look at towns’ zoning, how much more could be built, how many properties could be subdivided? In commercial zones, how much more space is possible?
Charles Gormally views this as ammunition to look at our zoning ordinances to determine how much affordable housing could be added. He thinks that is a sufficient level of protection, not necessarily certification.
Sandy, Corey & Charlie will serve on the Highlands Committee; Steve is not sure he can serve.
Corey Nachshen said that he learned there were $50,000 grants available that had not been applied for by municipalities.
Ordinance Committee: Doug McWilliams is leading this committee. Corey said the Environmental Commission is considering adding a noise component to the ERI. It was acknowledged that there wasn’t much to be done about Route 46 or air traffic noise. Marge Jackson pointed out that Zoning Board approvals for air conditioning condensors frequently result in a condition requiring installation of vegetative screening or special noise abatement covers.
Site Plan Review: It was noted that this Commmittee has not been active since Bill Ryden determines completeness. It was agreed that the SPRC should resume reviewing applications and deem them complete before they come before the Board.
Joan Nix asked about the plan from the Lakers’ Sports Club to add pavers to the field area, increasing ILC. It was clarified that we have no jurisdiction; they come before this Board only as a courtesy. There is an exemption in the Municipal Land Use Law for government facilities; this includes the Board of Education.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted,
Marge Jackson, Secretary