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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF JANUARY 16,
2008
ROLL CALL
Nick Cifaretto - present Ron Cain, Jr. -
present
Everett Vreeland - present Mark Tabakin - absent
Ron
Soussa - present Deane Driscoll (Alt #1) - present
Jennifer Horowitz - absent Carol
Ann Soroko (Alt #2) - absent
Anthony
Speciale - present
Liaisons:
Township Committee: Deb Nielson -
present
Township Officials: Linda
White, Land Use Administrator - present
Planning Board Liaison: Gary Lewis & Tony Speciale - present
REORGANIZATION
Appointment of Chairman - Nick Cifaretto
Appointment of Vice Chairman – Ron
Cain, Jr.
Selection of Meeting Dates – 2/20/08, 3/19/08, 4/16/08, 5/21/08, 6/18/08, 7/16/08,
8/20/08, 9/17/08, 10/15/08, 11/19/08,
12/19/08 @ 7:30AM – Meeting Place:
Municipal Conference Room – Adopted
EDC Purpose & Goals:
Chairman Cifaretto restated the EDC’s goals and objectives
stating that they are looking to help fill existing commercial/industrial space
within the township. Their focus is not
on rezoning but if the Township Committee asks the RDC for a specific project,
they will investigate and respond accordingly.
Although there was a memo written that may have created some action, at
least it started the activity on addressing parking, setbacks, heights and
issues of site development that were restricting commercial/industrial
buildings to go forward with changes.
Stiles Lane Access:
Would like to see this further investigated as to opening
access. Where are we with this? Ms. Nielson indicated that it is reflected
in the budget but priority is the issue.
What is the goal of opening this roadway up? Mr. Cifaretto elaborated in assisting the property owners on
Stiles Lane, the small commercial strip area, and future build out. Mr. Cifaretto would at minimum like to see
the concept sketch at this level. Mrs.
Nielson will get a copy for EDC.
State DCA Permit Procedures:
Concerns voiced over the need to have plan review for small
interior tenant spaces sent back down to the State. This is creating unnecessary delays and concerns as to how it may
affect future growth and tenant changes when dealing with the major
corridors. Mrs. White indicated that
she had been having conversations with Mr. Laird to determine if there was a
way to keep these types of reviews in house.
She would continue discussing this issue with him.
The EDC asked if possible to obtain a memo from Mr. Laird on
this process of when it can be reviewed in house and when permits are referred
down to state, and how we may be able to better serve the owners of these
facilities by keeping them in house.
Mr. Cifaretto explained some of the concerns he relate to the
buildings on Changebridge that had to go back down to the State either for
first tenant approval or other changes to the interior. One example was a 1,500 sq. ft. fit out for
a new tenant.
Lengthy discussion
ensued on planning for the future, writing specifications, and ways to promote
quicker turn around on permit review, loss of permit revenues and discussing
with the Township Administrator. Mr.
Lewis and Mr. Cifaretto will work on this as a subcommittee. Mrs. White was asked to list this on the
next EDC agenda for update.
Upcoming Seminars –
Morris County EDC – Wednesday March 19th @ County College of
Morris 5PM to 8PM – Registration $30 each - Mrs. White to confirm date and
register Deb Nielson, Ron Soussa, Dean Driscoll and Ron Cain Jr.
Website Development
Members felt the site needed more ‘punch’ and hopes this
happens as the web evolves.
Coordination of Survey
for Business owners
Mr. Cifaretto developed this questionnaire. He indicated he would put on computer and
that Ms. White would transmit to all committee members. He asked members to jot down their changes,
comments and ideas and we would review this at next meeting.
Towaco draft Master Plan – Planning Board schedule of
1/24/08
Ms. White noted this is on agenda for that Planning Board
meeting night. Mr. Cifaretto indicated
he would attend on behalf of the EDC to support this plan that night.
Update: Changebridge
Road, Old Bloomfield, Rt. 46
Mrs. White indicated Kramer/Changebridge study on retail
uses along this corridor scheduled for February 14th at Planning
Board level. The Old Bloomfield/Rt. 46
study is scheduled for January 24th meeting night.
Nothing yet on Kevah Konner site. She did contact both the owner of this site and GI to work
together on the State highway issue discussed at last meeting. Nothing came back from state from the
Township’s letter, and nothing further from these owners.
Highlands Map
Mr. Speciale displayed the Highlands Map prepared by Mr.
Omland for the Planning Board. Concerns
noted that the two of the larger areas for redevelopment are reflected in the
planning area. More specifically, the
concerns related to the southern district which is near Rt. 46, a major
highway.
Discussion ensued.
Mrs. White indicated that Mr. Omland noted that the Highlands Commission
representatives would come up to the Township to discuss our community. The Planning Board was looking to do this,
but scheduling wouldn’t be until March.
EDC thought this a good idea and wanted to be involved in this meeting. When scheduled, Mrs. White will notify EDC.
Letter of Support:
For Township Committee’s consideration of adoption of Planning
Board Budget. Motion made to send the
letter of Support from EDC for Master Plan review to Township Committee passed
unanimously.
For development of Retail along Changebridge Road. Motion made to send the letter from the EDC
supporting retail along Changebridge Road to the Planning Board and the
Township Committee unanimously passed. Mrs. White will send the letter
accordingly.
Coordination of
Support for State DOT involvement along Rt. 46
Mrs. White mentioned that the Township did send a letter to
the State about the areas of possible redevelopment. Nothing in response from that agency was received. This letter was sent by the Township Administrator. Mrs. White indicated she recently sent an
email to Mr. Bastone and Mr. Barile to indicate this is something we are still
looking at this.
NEW BUSINESS
Scheduling for Inviting Potential Developers to EDC meeting
– not coordinated at this time.
MINUTES
Mr. Speciale asked that the minutes of 12-19-07 be corrected
to reflect him as absent. Mrs. White
will correct. All minutes carried to
next agenda for action and Mrs. White was asked to send out copies of the
minutes again.
Adoption of EDC minutes of 12-19-07 – Eligible: Mr. Cifaretto, Mr. Vreeland, Mr. Soussa, Mr.
Cain, Mr. Tabakin, Ms. Soroko
Adoption of EDC minutes of: 9-19-07 Eligible: Mr. Speciale, Mr. Cain, Ms. Horowitz, Mr.
Soussa, Mr. Tabakin, and Mr. Cifaretto
Adoption of EDC Minutes of 10-24-07 – Eligible: Mr. Speciale, Mr. Cain, Mr. Soussa, Mr.
Cifaretto, Ms. Soroko and Mr. Vreeland
OTHER
Mr. Speciale indicated that the Chamber of Commerce will
hold their annual dinner dance on March 1st. A prior Chairman of this EDC will be
honored, Aaron Van Duyne as Citizen of the Year. This is the 45th Award Dinner Ceremony.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda White
Changed due
to League of Municipalities Convention Week
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