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MONTVILLE
TOWNSHIP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF OCTOBER 24, 2007
7:30AM
ROLL CALL
Nick Cifaretto - present Ron Cain, Jr. - present
Everett Vreeland
–present Mark
Tabakin - absent
Ron
Soussa - Present Vacancy
Jennifer Horowitz (Alt #1) - Absent Carol
Ann Soroko (Alt #2) - present
Anthony
Speciale - present
Liaisons:
Planning
Board Liaison: Gary Lewis - present
Mr. Cifaretto indicated
we have some vacancies on the EDC and asked the board members if they have any
ideas and/or nominations to forward same.
OLD BUSINESS
‘How Do’ Guide – Linda White reminded EDC members that she had
developed various guides for the EDC which she gave to Mr. Perkins for use on
the web. The only other item left is to
finalize the matrix developed on the Waiver process which was started by Mr.
Lewis and Mr. Soussa. This is still an
open item that needs to be finalized.
Update: Rezoning
GI – Mrs. White
indicated that there was an ordinance drafted on this property providing for
aged restricted housing, big box retail, mixed use concept such as a hotel,
conference center, retail and housing mix, along with self storage facilities,
office use. This ordinance was sent
back to the Township Committee and was scheduled for their meeting of October
22nd at 8:30PM. The Ordinance was distributed to the EDC
members.
Mr. Lewis indicated
that he was present with Mr. Burgis and that although it was a very good
meeting and presentation, it was decided that the ordinance be amended to
eliminate big box. The ordinance would
be scheduled on Township Committee agenda on November 5th and then
sent back to PB for referral recommendation and then scheduled for adoption at
their second meeting in November.
Towaco Area: Planning Board hired a wetlands expert to review
the area that would be used as a ‘municipal parking lot’ to determine if the
sketch provided by town planner providing for 62 parking spaces can be
realized. Once that is finalized, then the Planning Board can finalize
Towaco Center ordinances.
Pine Brook Area: Ms. White reviewed the redevelopment of the
Pine Brook Motel site which includes the property of the existing car wash
area. The applicant asked for a change in FAR%. The Planning Board heard
the presentation and the town planner is investigating the possibility of
removal of an FAR addressing over development with bulk requirements under
existing B zone. The applicant was
asked to give information to the Planner on all of the other sites along this
roadway as to their FAR/parking/variances.
Retail in Industrial Zone: Mr. Lewis indicated that he was
glad to announce that the Planning Board is going forward with an ordinance to
allow more retail in existing industrial zones, allowing 10%. This Ordinance is scheduled for Thursday
Oct. 25th PB meeting.
Update: Website Development:
Mrs. White indicated we
are going forward with developing the new website, and anticipated it would be
up and running by December/January. She indicated that the Department
Heads will have ability to update and post current items of interest; we will
be able to access all municipal forms, and the layout will be user
friendly. She asked if there were
any other changes needed, to advise her.
Mr. Speciale indicated his name was not on the website. Mrs. White indicated she would fix this.
Update: Contact with Hotels – Received printout from Ms.
Soroko with phone numbers for all major hotel chains for contact. Mrs. White will coordinate contact with Mr.
Ciffaretto.
Update: Master Plan/Sign Ordinance/Parking/Municipal ordinances
– Mrs. White explained the Planning Board has asked the board’s planner to
develop some cost proposals to proceed with updating land use elements/zoning
ordinances, which will include studying parking ordinance and bulk
requirements, including FAR%.
Mr. Cifaretto voiced
his concerns on parking needs and the cost to a developer to meet today’s
standards which may not be those the Planning Board are ultimately going to
adopt. How is this resolved? Mrs. White indicated that most new site
plans are reviewed at subcommittee and/or informally at a Planning Board and
the planner offers input at that time.
Mr. Cifaretto voiced
concerns about the Board of Adjustment and their professionals not being on the
same page as to what may be changed and the town’s planner’s comments on
parking needs, etc. Mrs. White
indicated that she is the coordinator, talks to board chair and makes sure that
the Board of Adjustment professionals discuss projects with the Planning Board
professionals so we have continuity.
Mrs. White indicated
the Planning Board has created a subcommittee to review our budgetary needs for
2008 so we can get these items into an ordinance that all can rely on. The EDC members discussed the need to
address these upgrades in order to promote economic redevelopment and
development and moved that they would support the Planning Board’s budgetary
needs in view of need to address these issues now.
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EDC Budget: Mr. Cifaretto discussed the needs for funds in
his request for the 2008 budget. He
asked for $500 for Printing & Stationery; $2,000 for Education and $2,000
for Miscellaneous: Totaling $4500 for EDC 2008 Budget. He discussed the reason
for the $2,000 miscellaneous indicating he thought this could be used to
conduct a town wide study to see what the residents want.
Mr. Lewis indicated
that one of our goals is that of business retention and expansion and thought
these monies may be better used to focus on existing businesses, realtors,
consider a breakfast and develop a list of questions that may help guide us on
how better to serve our existing commercial/industrial base. Land Use plan and residents are more related
to a planning board function and when the Planning Board goes into Land Use
changes in Master Plan, the residents will be asked to participate at this
level. Different questions were
discussed i.e. How long has business been located here? Why did they move here? What are their expectations? Are they planning to expand? Are there other municipal services that may
assist them in their goals? We can send
these out and even partner with Chamber on this endeavor, and can actually use
the Web for this purpose. This appeared
to be a good way to find out how we are doing.
Mr. Lewis also wondered if we shouldn’t invite the larger business
owners to a breakfast to discuss this?
Mr. Cifaretto said we did this several years ago, but can consider in
the future.
The budget recommended as drafted.
Mrs. White to send to Mr. Bastone.
When she received the Planning Board figures, she will send to EDC for
support.
Mixed
Use Concept – Reference: R. Soussa Letter
Mr. Cifaretto discussed Mr.
Soussa’s input relative to what constitutes a professional use? Is a beautician a professional and would
they be allowed in a professional business zone? What is the definition of a professional and how does a board
determine that. Mr. Cifaretto indicated
some are ‘licensed’ such as beautician so would you qualify this as being a
professional? Mrs. White indicated
that a beautician would be a personal service not a professional
office/use. Discussion ensued. Mrs. White indicated that perhaps when the
parking ordinance is finalized, and ordinances
are updated, there will be additional defnitions, but the way her
determinations are made are from past history/Board of Adjustment decisions on
use interpretations, guidance from town planner.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes
of: 9-19-07 Eligible: Mr. Speciale, Mr.
Cain, Ms. Horowitz, Mr. Soussa, Mr. Tabakin, and Mr. Cifaretto - rescheduled to December 19th
agenda.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Cifaretto indicated
the EDC meeting of November 21, 2007 is day before Thanksgiving and felt we
should cancel this meeting. Meeting
cancelled unanimously. Next meeting
would be December 19th.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda White
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