A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Land Use Board was held on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wantage Township Municipal Building. The meeting was held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Public Laws 1975, Chapter 231. It was properly noticed and posted to the public.

ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mssrs. Smith, Space, Slate, DeBoer, Hough, Cecchini, Cillaroto, Grau. Mmes. Kanapinski, Mylecraine, Attorney Glenn Kienz, and Engineer Harold Pellow.
EXCUSED: Mssrs. Corrigan, Bono, Mme. Gill.

APPLICATIONS

L-13-2005 JUSTIN VANDER GROEF
The applicant is requesting an extension of 190 days to file the deeds for a minor subdivision memorialized December 20, 2005.

Mr. Justin Vander Groef appeared before the Board. Mr. Grau made a motion seconded by Mr. DeBoer to grant a 190-day extension to file the deeds for the minor subdivision.

ROLL CALL VOTE:
THOSE IN FAVOR: Smith, Space, Slate, DeBoer, Hough, Cecchini, Grau, Kanapinski, Mylecraine.
THOSE OPPOSED: None. Motion carried.

L-34-2005 LAURENCE VERMUELEN
Application for preliminary major subdivision approval of 75.37 acres into eight lots under the Open Space/Agricultural Preservation Option. The property is located at 22 Black Dirt Road and is known as Blk. 30, Lot 1.04 in the R-E zone. Work session discussion scheduled.

The applicant has requested that the work session discussion be carried to a later date. Ms. Kanapinski will be in touch with the applicant to reschedule.

L-1-2003A LGR ENTERPRISES, LLC.
Application to amend the preliminary major subdivision approval granted on March 25, 2003 and memorialized on April 29, 2003 for Eagle Ridge at Wantage II. The property is known as Blk. 135, Lot 6.01 on Sherman Ridge Road.

Attorney Mark Huntz, Engineer Jeffrey Doolittle, and the applicant, Mr. Skip Ferguson appeared before the Board.

The applicant’s professionals made a brief presentation of the application and its modifications. The original application was approved for 20 lots and they have now changed it to 18 lots. Consequently, this will mean less roadway, no variances involved.

It was discussed that the Board will need to do a site walk in order to see the difference in the roadways from the 2003 plan and the new plan.

Mr. Harold Pellow’s report was reviewed and discussed. It was noted that the sidewalks would be waived under RSIS. To reduce bright lighting from headlights at the intersection of Robert’s Way and Amy Drive, a minor modification on the alignment or landscaping will be provided.

The meeting was opened to the public. Mr. Ronald Bassani, 6 Robert’s Way, made a comment on the new road parallel to a portion of Robert’s Way which will have an impact on the value and the aesthethics of all the houses in that area. It was discussed that the routing of the new road is being forced by the DEP and the Board has no jurisdiction over this issue. It was discussed that the applicant and the Board will look into the suggestion that was made to study any other possibilities as to the routing of the road.

Ms. Rebecca Schwarz, 46 Smith Road, expressed concern with the sales trailer which is just sitting there and she described as an eyesore. She asked if it could be moved. Mr. Ferguson stated that he would be happy to move it as soon as he has an access road to relocate it to another spot on the property.

Mr. Scott Kenyon, 8 Robert’s Way, thanked the Board for doing a site walk. He is very pleased with the developer and he praised them for their quality of workmanship and for their excellent work.

A site walk was scheduled for Monday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. During the walk, the Board members will note another possible place where the trailer can be moved to. The main part of the application was carried to the June 20, 2006 meeting, no further public notice required.

L-33-2005 CJS INVESTMENTS, INC.
Application for preliminary major site plan approval of 52 acres located on Lower Unionville Road. The property is known as Blk. 2, Lot 20.01 and is located in the ML zone.

Attorney Dennis Collins, Engineer Stuart C. Challoner, and Planner Creigh Rahenkamp, appeared before the Board.

The professionals made a brief presentation of the application. A color rendering of the landscaping plan, an aereal photograph of the area, consisting of 3 sheets, dated 5/16/06, was introduced as Exhibit A1.

The Board took a 10-minute recess.

Mr. Harold Pellow’s report was reviewed and discussed. It was agreed that items 3.03, 6.13, and 6.14 would be waived.

Marie Springer of 161 Owens Station Road and Dennis Miranda, an individual representing the Sierra Club, had issues with the waiver of the L.O.I. It was explained to them that the Board cannot delay an application because of the L.O.I. and the waiver may be granted at this time since this is a preliminary approval application.

Mr. Cecchini made a motion seconded by Ms. Kanapinski to waive the items mentioned above.

ROLL CALL VOTE:
THOSE IN FAVOR: Smith, Space, Slate, DeBoer, Hough, Cecchini, Kanapinski, Mylecraine, Grau.
THOSE OPPOSED: None. Motion carried.

Marie Springer asked if the settlement of 1988 was for one-family homes. Christine Feoranzo wondered how that approval from 1988 and the present situation agree with smarth growth in New Jersey. Dennis Miranda had questions regarding features of constraint and questions on slopes. Mr. Jim Kozlowski, next door neighbor referred to the type of density being used, vertical or horizontal.

Edward Henry, Records Manager at Walkill River National Life Refuge asked about the requirements for changes under COAH.

Mr. Caporuscio referred to the monies paid to the Township in 1988. Ann Smulowicz inquired as to who was the engineer back then.

Jim Doherty asked if any court did in fact find that the Township failed to meet the COAH obligation or wasn’t the agreement of 1988 a settlement before even such incrimination was made.

The meeting was closed to the public and opened to the Board.

Mr. Pellow and the applicant’s attorney disagree on the interpretation of what constitutes “usable land”.

Mr. DeBoer asked Mr. Rahenkamp if in his opinion this site would be a good affordable property site, if he has visited the site, and what is his opinion of that road. Ms. Kanapinski asked if the developer was supposed to have filed site plans within 3 years following the 1988 agreeement. Ms. Mylecraine referred to the wildlife refuge which was not there in 1988 and is there now and wondered how will the State see how the refuge being affected with the building of Mt. Laurel units. For the record, there was a round of applause from the audience. Chairman Smith cautioned the audience not to have that outburst reaction in order to keep the hearing without prejudice and to observe the rules of order.

Attorney Glenn Kienz noted for the record that the Board reserves the right to call
Mr. Rahenkamp back for testimony, if needed.

The Board suggested that the applicant take a look at the Township’s design standards. A site walk was scheduled for Monday, June 5th at 4:30 p.m.

The Board agreed with the public that the applicant needs to supply the Board with a plan of the presenters ahead of time in order to have the information available to the public. It was noted that the presenters at the next meeting will include a traffic engineer and an environmentalist. An expert on wastewater and water issues will be scheduled for a future meeting.

Mr. Grau made a motion seconded by Mr. Cecchini to carry this application to the June 20th meeting. No further notice required.

ROLL CALL VOTE:
THOSE IN FAVOR: Smith, Space, Slate, DeBoer, Hough, Cecchini, Kanapinski, Mylecraine, Grau.
THOSE OPPOSED: None. Motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT
On a motion duly made seconded and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Stella Salazar
Assistant Secretary