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CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD August 11, 2009 The meeting of the Chesterfield Township Planning Board was called to order by Chairman DeFelippis at 7:35PM. The Open Public Meetings Act statement was read and compliance noted. Roll call was taken showing present: Donald Coover, Lawrence Durr, Joseph Malison, Lido Panfili, Matthew Weismantel, Brian Wilson and Chairman DeFelippis. Absent: Brian Kelly, Deborah Kelly, Gregory Lebak, John Nunziato and F. Gerry Spence. Professional staff present: Frederick Hardt, Solicitor. MINUTES July 14, 2009 Regular and Executive Session Minutes A motion was made by Mr. Malison, seconded by Mr. Panfili, to approve the July 14, 2009 Regular and Executive Session Planning Board Minutes. The vote in the affirmative, with the exceptions of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Coover and Mr. Weismantel, who abstained, and the motion carried. INVITATION FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK – Matters not on the Agenda Chairman DeFelippis opened the meeting for public comment. There being none, the public portion of the meeting was closed. RESOLUTIONS 31-2009 The Crosswicks Foundation: Block 202, Lot 78.01; 2 Front Street; Use Variance and Waivers for a Minor Site Plan Approval for a Museum and Office in the Village District. Approved June 29, 2009.
Solicitor Hardt advised the Board that after several drafts a conflict remains as to the conditions required for the modification of the site plan. He suggested holding the resolution for approval at the September 8th Planning Board Meeting so that the issue can be resolved. 32-2009 Matthew Berg: Block 202.41, Lot 11; 151 Bordentown-Crosswicks Road; Bulk Variance for a Fence in the Planned Village Development District. Approved July 14, 2009. A motion was made by Mr. Panfili, seconded by Mr. Malison, to approve Resolution 32-2009. The vote was in the affirmative, with the exceptions of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Coover and Mr. Weismantel, who abstained, and the motion carried. 33-2009 Matzel and Mumford: Block 202.107, Lot 7; 192 Recklesstown Way; Look-alike Inverness-2 Model. Approved at the July 22, 2009 Tech Meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Panfili, seconded by Mr. Wilson, to approve Resolution 33-2009. The vote was in the affirmative, with the exceptions of Mr. Wilson and Mr. Coover, and the motion carried. ITEMS FOR ACTION Tracy and Richard McCabe: Block 202.40, Lot 5; 14 Collington Street; Bulk Variance for a Fence in the Planned Village Development District. Exhibits were marked and Ms. McCabe was sworn. The applicant is requesting a 5’ high fence near the alley right-of-way on her property. The maximum fence height permitted in a side yard is 3½ feet as per Ordinance Section 138-83.E.(9)(b). The applicant also requests placement of the fence 5’ back from the rear property line. Mrs. McCabe testified that she needs the space as a boundary for her children’s safety and to keep other children from walking into her yard and using her children’s play equipment. Mrs. McCabe was advised that 10’ of space must remain open for snow removal by the Township snow plows. Another reason for prohibiting fences close to the alleys is that it was felt that it gave the alleys a feeling of being narrow and closed in. Mrs. McCabe discussed the option of bushes with the Planning Board. She was advised that the bushes were permitted at a height of 3½ feet. She stated that the French Gothic fence that she provided with her application was similar to that which she planned. Chairman DeFelippis opened the hearing for public comment. There being none, the public portion of the meeting was closed. Solicitor Hardt advised that approval of the application would provide for a 4’ straight or concave fence that would be placed 10’ back from the right-of-way and installed along the common boundary line on both sides. A motion was made by Mr. Panfili, seconded by Mr. Coover, to approve the application with the conditions specified by Solicitor Hardt. The vote was unanimous and the motion carried. American Properties: Proposal for Side-entry Garages to Joyce Model 2998 and the Hesse Model so that they can be built on Manor Lots. Mr. Panfili stepped down. Ken Buchholz, representing American Properties for the proposal, was sworn. At the July Tech Meeting, A subsidiary of American Properties received an approval from the Technical Committee to place a Village home with a side-entry garage on a Manor (Perimeter) lot, at the corner of Bordentown-Crosswicks Road and Adelphia Drive. This dwelling will serve as a Model home and sales office for the remaining unimproved lots. They are requesting approximately 10 to 12 more approvals for Village homes on Manor lots, due to the inability to sell the larger homes in the present market. There are 20+ unimproved Manor lots in the development. Questions arose as to demographics. Solicitor Hardt advised that the ordinance provides for a certain mix of homes that has been met. The Planning Board felt that they did not have enough information on this request and would like Mr. Buchholz to return in September with more information, including a site plan showing the specific Manor lots intended for Village homes on a site plan so that the Board could make an informed decision. Mr. Panfili returned to the dais. DISCUSSION Discussion on the Satellite Dishes, Boat Parking and Fence Ordinance Amendments in the PVD District were to be continued to the September Planning Board Meeting, when the Planner would be available. The members discussed the use of solar panels and the newer, less obtrusive models. They also discussed the issue of the housing market as it relates to Mr. Buchholz’s request. INVITATION FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK Chairman DeFelippis opened the meeting for public comments. As there were none, the public portion of the meeting was closed. ADJOURNMENT At 9:30PM, there being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Wilson, to adjourn. So moved. Respectfully submitted, Linda S. Wills, Secretary |