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MONTVILLE
TOWNSHIP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2007
7:30AM
ROLL CALL
Nick Cifaretto -
present
Ron Cain, Jr. – present
Everett Vreeland -
absent
Mark Tabakin - present
Leonard
Murphy – absent
Ron Soussa - present
Jennifer Horowitz (Alt #1) – entranced noted
Carol
Ann Soroko (Alt #2) – absent
Anthony
Speciale - present
Liaisons:
Township
Committee: Art Daughtry - present
Planning
Board Liaison: Gary Lewis - present
It was with sadness
that Mr. Cifaretto announced the death of Mr. Murphy. Board members asked secretary to send in the donation from them
in honor of Mr. Murphy.
OLD BUSINESS
Update: Website Development
Mrs. White indicated
that she has given a lot of information to Mr. Perkins for web, that the web
should be up and running by December, and that she sent copies of what was on
the EDC website to the members asking them to supply their comments as to any
other changes and/or what should be put on EDC website.
Mr. Speciale indicated
that the Chamber is also looking at upgrading their site with links to various
Montville Township webs and other websites with common goals.
Mrs. White indicated
that Dick Vreeland volunteered to take some photos for the EDC website of
various places in the community, and she would remind him of this.
Mr. Daughtry indicated
they are trying to get on budget with the web, in view of some personal delays,
but appear to be on line for December.
Update: ‘How Do’ Guide
Linda White indicated
she has gathered a lot of documents on building permit process/whom to contact
in township and gave them to EDC and Mr. Perkins to consider using for the
WEB. The only aspects not finalized are
the documents developed on the ‘application’ process, which is still an open
issue.
Update: Rezoning – GI, Towaco, Kramer, Pine Brook
& Stiles Lane
Stiles Lane:
Mr. Cifaretto indicated that this improvement is going to be but
back into the budget. Discussion ensued
on why the County has now required townships to pay ½ expenses and what their
involvement would be with this. Mr.
Daughtry reviewed some of the improvements he worked with recently within the
Rt. 202/Park Avenue area for a traffic light, indicating there is a Morris
County Freeholder meeting with the Township Committee on September 26th
and invited EDC members to attend, especially based on concerns of needs to
address some upgrades along county corridors.
Mr. Daughtry brought EDC up to date on the Robbins tract (before
Changebridge Plaza/Stiles Lane on Changebridge), which was in litigation
indicating that this can only be used as open space. Mr. Cifaretto mentioned condemnation, and wondered if this should
be looked at, but Mr. Tabakin indicated a township couldn’t condemn their lands.
Mr. Daughtry indicated he did get a request from Mr. Nelligan as to
the possibility of using some open space in town to develop a community center
type of building for special needs children.
He indicated Mr. Nelligan felt that the State might lighten challenged.
Mr. Soussa wondered if the Township shouldn’t investigate use of
properties we might have acquired, noting Kramer property/dog park area, to see
whether or not the properties were purchased with township funds. If not, then perhaps we can look at these
types of properties to see if we can put it back on the tax rolls.
(Ms. Horowitz entered)
GI Site –
Pending before Planning Board and scheduled for September 27th
agenda. Mr. Burgis is developing
ordinances for the various uses that the Planning Board narrowed this study down
to, including aged restricted housing.
Mr. Daughtry indicated he feels the Rt. 46 access to this site is
problematic, noting we should also be looking at the Kevor Konner area of Rt.
46 since it should be a total revisiting of this highway area. Mrs. White indicated we did send the letter
to the State on the need to address Rt. 46 but no response received at this
time. Discussion ensued. It was felt that if there was a developer
interested in both sites, that we may be able to have the developers face this
issue.
Kevah Konner site -
Still being reviewed to see how much land is buildable; plans are at
the DEP level.
Towaco Center -
This area is pending before Planning Board and is on their agenda
for October 11th meeting of Planning Board. Ordinances and possible amendments to master
plan will be discussed.
Update: contact with Hotels
Linda White indicated she tried to contact Ms. Soroko several times
for the list of hotels to send a letter of inquiry to, but hasn’t received
anything yet.
Update: Sign Ordinance
Mr. Cifaretto indicated he would like to see a ‘simple code’ one
that isn’t too complex and is user friendly.
Linda White indicated this draft is a compilation of various sources and
is being developed as a ‘guide’ to things that have been brought up and/or ways
to find what is best for our community, and isn’t the ‘draft ordinance’ but one
that should be commented on so that all agencies involved in the land use
process are comfortable with final results.
EDC members asked to review and offer their input, if any.
Mr. Speciale indicated that he would have a concern with eliminating
the use of ‘logo’ signs, discussing the lifestyle malls being considered by
community. They should be considered. Mrs. White indicated she received some
photos from the Design Review Committee on a mall in Sussex that has a Dunkin
Donuts. They maintain theme but allow
the logo on window.
(Note: Mr. Soussa left)
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman’s
Memo of 7 August 2007 (discussion)
Mr. Cifaretto indicated
his desire to finalize some of the issues that he committed to writing in his
memo of August. He indicated we already
learned from the Chairman that the Planning Board is dealing with FAR% and
parking ordinances. He felt that there
should be relief from having to deal with an FAR% and that the parking numbers
should be less stringent.
Gary Lewis indicated
that we should focus on reviewing the Master Plan that needs to be
addressed. Mrs. White indicated that
the budget is on the agenda for discussion and that proposals were already
requested from Planning Board professionals for work on the zoning
ordinances/any master plan revisions needed, etc. Mr. Lewis expressed concerns about lack of support to fund this
project, which will be costly, and thought that the EDC may be able to help by
supporting it with Township Committee members. Mrs. White noted the EDC receives all copies of pending
ordinances/studies from Planning Board and Planning Board invites comments and
participation. Mr. Cifaretto indicated
the EDC should be involved in the process.
Discussion ensued on
developing ordinances that have illustrations to aid in determining
heights/side yards that will be easier to understand. Township should be concerned about developing ordinances that impact
existing residential lots/homes.
Reporting Request made
from the chair on status of the items pending, asking that the Planning Board
and Township Committee supply these reports on progress on:
FAR %
Parking Needs
Master Plan
Stiles Lane
Budget for EDC
Linda White indicated
that there are funds left in this account, and was there any work that the EDC
wanted to fund before end of year, and/or mentioning seminars and
conventions. Mr. Cifaretto supported
seminars/education. Mr. Soussa asked to
be registered for the one EDC seminar being conducted. Mrs. White will coordinate. Any other interest, advise accordingly.
Mixed Use Concept:
Mr. Cifaretto indicated
he received an inquiry from Mr. Soussa on individual uses, discussing what
constitutes a professional and who may occupy professional offices, explaining
about a professional may also sell certain products. Mr. Cifaretto indicated that this may be more in line with a
mixed use, and that he had no objection to looking at the concept of mixed uses
in future. Looking at a specific site
and use though is a Planning Board and not an EDC issue.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes
of: 8-22-07 Eligible: Mr. Speciale, Mr.
Cain, Ms. Soroko, Mr. Vreeland, Mr. Soussa & Mr. Cifaretto - Adopted
Meeting adjourned
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda M. White
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