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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF
NOVEMBER 17, 2010
8:00AM
ROLL CALL
Ron Cain, Jr. - present Margaret Miller –
Sanders - present
Everett
Vreeland - present Kevin Seidel, Alt. #2 - present
Ron Soussa -
present Deane
Driscoll - present
Jennifer Horowitz - present Alexander
Kachmar (excused absence)
Arnold
Schancupp – alt #1 – present
Liaisons:
Township
Committee: Jim Sandham – excused absence;
Deb
Nielson (alt) - present
Planning
Board Liaison: Tony Speciale - present
OLD BUSINESS
BoA & Planning Board applications
update
Mr. Driscoll discussed the on-going “no show” issue with the
BOA; Ron Soussa inquired about why
the board limits the applicants to one hour.
Deane indicated that two additional hearings will be added in 2011.
Mr. Speciale discussed the Rails application was approved
and that the master plan draft is available to review. December 9, 2010 is the public hearing and
all are invited to attend. He also
suggested that the Planning Board look at the impervious coverage requirement
for decks be eliminated.
Master Plan Update
The draft master plan is available. Ms. Hunscher brought a copy for the members
to review. It is also posted on the
website. Mr. Vreeland and Mr. Cain
requested CD versions.
Website Development – update
Mr. Driscoll discussed the need for updates on the
website. Ms. Hunscher asked for
specifics. These included the vacancy
list and areas in town that would be candidates for redevelopment. Ms. Horowitz questioned whether the effort to
maintain a vacancy list was necessary since realtors and developers already
knew of this information in their networks.
Also, politically it might be untenable to post suggested areas for
redevelopment on the Township website, especially if they have not been
designated as such.
Temporary Sign Policy
Ms. Horowitz indicated that she had spent a lot of time and
effort into updating with suggested revisions the 2009 policy, but had not
received a response from subcommittee members.
She was understandably upset that no one had responded with constructive
comments to provide guidance on the policy.
The committee decided to have Tony Speciale bring it up at the next
Planning Board meeting and Ms. Hunscher will add it to the agenda for 11-22 to
discuss extending the policy and/or modifying it. Ms. Hunscher will also circulate the modified
policy.
Update on developer inquiries
Ms. Hunscher reported that there is interest being generated
in the Lowes pad site (40K), possibly a grocery store; developers are
interested in property including the Pine Brook Motel and the O’Dowd property;
there have been some discussions regarding rezoning and tenants are leasing up
space and in some cases there is a turnover of tenants in existing strip
commercial centers.
NEW BUSINESS
Subcommittee formation to evaluate consultant(s) for retail
analysis an economic development
A subcommittee of Ms.
Miller-Sanders, Mr. Vreeland, and Mr. Driscoll was formed to meet with the
retail analyst consultant along with Ms. Hunscher to determine whether this
would be useful to the Township and if a proposal should be solicited. Ms. Hunscher will reach out to the consultant
to set up a time.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of 10-20-10 – Eligible: Cain, Miller
– Sanders, Vreeland, Seidel, Driscoll, Soussa, Horowitz,
Schancupp, Kachmar
Motion: Mr. Driscoll
Seconded: Mr. Vreeland
Roll call: unanimous
OTHER BUSINESS
Ron Soussa
recommended that a suggestion be made to the Township Committee to reduce the
sign permit fee for real estate signs from $150 to $25. A motion was made by:
Motion: Ron Soussa
Seconded: Maggie Miller-Sanders
Roll call: unanimous
A presentation was made by Brad Bischoff of Sovereign Bank
about how his bank actively seeks to make loans to small businesses to expand
Mr. Driscoll asked the committee to spread the word that the
Montville
Kiwanis located at the United Methodist Church Route 202 has a food pantry
available to those in need.
Ron Soussa asked
that the planning and zoning board agendas be forwarded to the committee;
however in an effort to reduce clutter on everyone’s inbox, the agendas are
posted on the Township website for review.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Hunscher
Meghan Hunscher, PP AICP
Principal Planner
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