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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF JANUARY 18,
2011
START TIME 8:15AM
I. ROLL CALL
Ron
Cain, Jr. - present Margaret Miller – Sanders - present
Everett “Dick” Vreeland - present Deane Driscoll
- present
Ron
Soussa - absent Kevin Seidel,
Alt. #2 - present
Jennifer
Horowitz -absent Arnold
Schancupp – alt #1 - present
Alexander Kachmar - absent
Also present:
Liaisons:
Township Committee: Jim
Sandham - present; Scott Gallopo
(alt) - present
Planning Board: Tony
Speciale - present; Gary Lewis - present
Township Staff:
Meghan Hunscher, PP -
Principal Planner - present
II. REORGANIZATION
Appointment
of Temporary Chairman - Motion to appoint Dick Vreeland as temporary chairman
made by Mr. Cain; seconded by Mr. Schancupp; Roll call: unanimous
Appointment
of Chairman - Motion to appoint Deane Driscoll
as Chairman made by Ron Cain;
seconded by Mr. Schancupp; Roll call: unanimous
Appointment
of Vice Chairman - Motion to appoint Kevin Seidel
as Vice Chairman made by Mr. Vreeland.
Mr. Seidel respectfully declined to be considered for the
nomination. Motion to appoint Ron Soussa (in absentia) as Vice Chairman made by
Mr. Vreeland; seconded by Mr. Seidel; Roll call: unanimous.
Selection of Meeting Dates - On motion made by Arnold Schancupp and seconded by Dick Vreeland,
meeting dates and time of the Third Wednesday Monthly@ 8:15AM with Meeting Place of
the Municipal Chambers Conference Room were unanimously approved.
Appointment of subcommittees - Mr. Driscoll appointed the
following members to the subcommittees:
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Business Retention - Maggie, Deane, Dick, and Arnold
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Business Recruitment - Alex, Jen, Ron S.
II. BUSINESS
Zoning Board report - Mr.
Driscoll indicated that the Board of Adjustment reorganized and heard and
approved the JCP&L application for sound wall to mitigate noise from
transformers.
Planning Board report - Mr.
Speciale indicated that the Planning Board held a reorganization meeting and
will discuss proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance at the 1/26 meeting
III. APPLICANTS / BUSINESSES
There were no applicants or
businesses to come before the committee.
IV. SPEAKERS
Presentation by Larry Anderson
and Steve Durak of Anderson Realty Services on behalf of The Fresh Market
regarding prospective site locations including Route 202 and Changebridge Road
Mr. Anderson and Mr. Durak of
Anderson Realty Services, site selection professionals for The Fresh Market,
appeared before the Committee to provide an overview of The Fresh Market and
desire to be located in Montville. The Fresh Market sells meats, poultry, fish
and fruits and vegetables. Classical
music is played and no carts leave the store.
Mr. Anderson indicated that The Fresh Market is a high-end grocery store
that has a target trade area consisting of a residential area having a median
incomes $100,000 or greater with 50-70,000 households within a ten (10) minute
drive. The store prototype is approximately
20,000 square feet sited on 2 to 3 acres that can accommodate 140 parking
spaces. Montvale is the location of the
closest store.
Mr. Anderson indicated that
he considered about five different locations before deciding that the PSE&G
owned property at the intersection of Changebridge
Road and Route 202 was the preferred
location. The company is based in North Carolina and has spent six (6) years exploring the New Jersey market. Other towns that the business finds meets
their target area criteria in the northern New Jersey
area include Verona, Tenafly, Summit,
Westfield, Bedminister, Morristown, Redbank, and Manasquan.
Mr. Anderson indicated that
of the fifteen (15) acres that PSE&G would sell, only about six (6) to seven
(7) acres are viable for development.
This is due to topographical challenges, the existence of the Morris Canal
and potential wetlands. Although The Fresh
Market approached PSE&G with the intention of purchasing 2 to 3 acres,
PSE&G is only willing to sell the entire parcel. Mr. Anderson indicated that they were
initially looking at land adjacent to the self-storage facility, but after
discussing with County
Planners and Engineers,
decided across from the I-287 ramp would be more feasible. The State would also have to be involved due
the fact that they are responsible for the traffic light. The County suggested that while the developer
for The Fresh Market would not be constructing the by-pass road, an easement
and driveway opening could be created to allow for a future by-pass road.
Mr. Anderson outlined the
requirements that PSE&G presented to them prior to negotiating a deal. This includes an appraisal and a letter of
support from Montville. Mr. Anderson acknowledged that the letter
would not provide any assurances of board approval or rezoning. Ms. Hunscher
indicated that she discussed the letter with Anthony Barile, PE Township
Engineer and the Township Attorney’s office and they agree that the appropriate
agency to issue the letter would be the EDC.
Ms. Nielsen asked Mr.
Anderson if he had considered other property including the property on the
north side of Route 202. He indicated he
had, but it was not suitable. Mr.
Sandham asked the Planning Board members present about the specifics of the
property, including the zoning. Ms.
Hunscher responded that the property is zoned for office. Mr. Lewis requested that Ms. Hunscher
describe what the Master Plan contemplated for this area. Ms. Hunscher indicated that the Master Plan
would allow an incentive of increased floor area if the by-pass road were to be
constructed, however unlike on the north side of Route 202, retail uses would
not be permitted even if the by-pass road were to be constructed. Therefore the applicant would have to apply
for either a rezoning request or to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for
approval.
Chairman Driscoll asked the
committee if they were in favor of providing a letter in support of The Fresh Market. Ms. Miller said it would be a welcome
addition to the community especially since there were no grocery stores in Montville and this type of
business has been desired by residents for some time.
On a motion made by Dick
Vreeland and seconded by Kevin Seidel,
the members unanimously agreed to issue a letter from the EDC in support of The
Fresh Market.
V. WORKSHOP
Site identification for
development and redevelopment (time permitting) - This agenda item was
postponed
VI. MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of 12-21-11
– Eligible: Ron Cain, Jr., Margaret Miller – Sanders Everett (“Dick”) Vreeland,
Deane Driscoll, Alexander Kachmar, Kevin Seidel, Alt. #2
On a motion made by Ms.
Miller-Sanders and seconded by Mr. Schancupp the minutes were unanimously
approved as presented.
V. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business to discuss, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
_____________________________
Meghan Hunscher, Principal
Planner
Adopted at February 15, 2012
regular meeting
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