MEETING OF JANUARY 8, 2001
MINUTES
Mr. Domidion called the meeting to order at 8:10 PM, reading the following statement: "In accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Law - Chapter 21, P.L. 1975, public notice of this meeting was provided in accordance with Annual Notice Procedures." (C10:4-28 of said Act.)
On a motion by Mr. Vig and seconded by Mr. Fitzpatrick, the minutes of December 4, 2000 were accepted as submitted.
LIAISON REPORT
Mr. Hennessy reported that the Township reorganization meeting was held on January 7, 2001. Ms. Goubeaud was re-appointed as a member of the Commission, and Mr. Heyer was newly appointed as a member.
Mr. Hennessy stated that the Township has received a Green Acres matching grant of $600,000. The money can be used only for land acquisition, not for improvements. The Township is considering which properties to obtain with the funds. Mr. Domidion suggested the site on County Route 537 across from the High School, which is in dispute as possible Mount Laurel housing. Holly Bush Farm on Conover has been proposed. Harold Nolan thinks that more recreation facilities should be located in the Clover Hill and Fox Hedge area. Mrs. Burry and Mr. Yodakis have expresssed a need for more open space and farmland.
Mr. Hennessy reported that he and Mr. Heyer have been appointed to Area 12 Watershed Management representing Colts Neck.
PLANNING BOARD
PB #546, Block 11, Lot 3, subdivision for Shiv Kureti on Dutch Lane Road, is scheduled for final public hearing on February 13. The county intends to widen and straighten Dutch Lane Road, which will necessitate removal of the lilac hedge. Mr. Domidion will speak with the County Engineer.
PB #525, Block 48, Lot 44, site plan for Folio Office Building on State Route 34 next to Texaco station, has access road running through rear of property. No significant environmental impacts were noted.
PB #560, Block 32, Lots 8, 11 & 12, site plan for Brock Farms on State Route 34 north of County Route 537, proposes demolition of a one-story building, and construction of a new one-story building to the rear of the former. No significant environmental impacts were noted.
PB #561, Block 30, Lots 14 & 15, site plan for Ron Rose Office Building on Route 537 behind the General Store, proposes a smaller building than the site plan submitted several years ago. There is a large ash tree near the eastern property line between this property and Lot 16. It provides an aesthetic anchor for this portion of County Route 537, and its preservation would be beneficial. Appropriate steps should be taken to assure that the root system of this tree is protected, and that drainage patterns are not changed in such a way as to significantly alter its environment.
PB #562, Block 32, Lot 22, site plan for The Woods Furniture on State Route 34, proposes site improvements to the former Apache Tomato property, including decreased paved surface and a narrowed highway access. Mr. Fitzpatrick noted that there is currently a large holly tree at the site of the proposed dumpster and a red maple tree. It was agreed that the holly tree should be preserved in favor of the red maple tree. Mr. Domidion noted that this property abuts the Freer Nature Preserve, and that the plan shows a buffer of 30 feet. This end of the property will be further divided from the store by a proposed jughandle that would be located across from Artisan Way. The isolated portion of the property is hilly and inappropriate for building, so a larger buffer of at least 75 feet, or everything north of the access road, would be feasible, and is desirable due to the very great difference in use between commercial and totally natural.
PB #563, Block 40, Lot 1, subdivision for Galloping Hill Estates on County Route 537 at Lakeside Avenue, preserves an open space lot on County Route 537. Currently pasture, if left to naturalize it would not coordinate with the surrounding environment. It is recommended that rows of white pines be planted along County Route 537.
PB #564, Block 46, Lot 15, site plan for Delicious Orchards on State Route 34, proposes a 1,500 sq. ft. canopy. No significant environmental impacts were noted.
ZB #520, Block 50, Lot 26, site plan for Nextel Communications on Obre Road next to State Route 18, located on Shockland Farm property, proposes a telecommunications tower. It is recommended that the location be pushed back into the treed area in order to soften the visual impact, and remove it a further distance from the nature preserve on Obre Road.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Hennessy reported that the Shade Tree Commission has agreed to his returning responsibility for framing a shade tree ordinance to the Environmental Commission, as Shade Tree has not begun to draft an ordinance. Mr. Domidion asked Mrs. Massey to work with Mr. Heyer on a Shade Tree Ordinance Subcommittee. Mrs. Massey agreed, and Mr. Domidion will ask the Shade Tree Commission to appoint a member.
Mr. Hennessy and Mr. Heyer have been appointed to the Area 12 Watershed Management Group, representing the Township.
Mr. Domidion plans to meet with Mrs. Burry of the Historic Preservation Committee, and assign Block and Lot numbers to buildings which received historic site plaques, in order to include them on Natural Heritage Mapping.
Mr. Hennessy reported that a letter regarding encroachments into Township greenways will be sent to property owners in March.
Mr. Domidion will ask Michael Steib about the feasibility of requiring metes and bounds of easements to be shown on preliminary plats.
Mr. Domidion read the Budget Message for the Commission for 2001. He has budgeted for additional memberships in ANJEC for associate members. $100.00 has been budgeted for water testing equipment for the St. MaryÕs Environmental Committee. He ordered a tree measuring tape which has circumference on one side, and diameter on the other. The total budget increased from $1,300.00 to $1,530.00.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Anderl reported that some residents of Obre Road have heard that there may be plans to convert the Obre Road Nature Preserve in Pop Warner fields. This preserve is emerging Pinelands, and is an area unique in the Township. Mrs. Anderl wrote a letter praising the Preserve and the progress that has occurred there, and Mr. Domidion will frame a resolution advising that nature preserves be permanently preserved as totally natural areas and not be taken for any other alternate uses.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Colts Neck Republican Club is having a reception for the new mayor at the fire house on January 28, from 2-5 PM and all committee and commissions are invited to set up tables for publicity, RSVP Mary Parker
Notice of land use seminar in Princeton on January 29 & 30
Notice of Lake Management Course at Rutgers in February
Hearing on the State Development and Redevelopment Plan will be held in Freehold on January 16 at 7 PM
LOI for Block 8, Lot 6
Applications for Freshwater Wetlands Permit for Block 46, Lot 17.03 (Victor Losquadro) and for Block 46, Lots 1/1, 1.50, 1.51, 1.52 & 17.02 (golf course)
On a motion by Mr. Vig, seconded by Mr. Fitzpatrick, the meeting adjourned at 10:36 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 5, 2001.
Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Terry
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