Present were:

Patrick Gillespie, President	Edward Testino, Councilman	Raj Patel
Peter Davis, Vice-president	Michael D'Agnes	Joseph Arena
Robin Rosen, Secretary	Larry Redmond	Laheri Mehta
Mark Proudman, Treasurer	Michael Spina	John Vincenti
Russell J. Azzarello, Director

 

 

 

 

Absent were:

Mayor Jim Phillips

Nick Smolney

Kevin Ruffler

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m.

Salute to the flag was followed by roll call.

Statement was made that the meeting was held in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meeting Act.

A motion was made by Peter Davis, seconded by Mike D'Agnes and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the February 2004 Treasurer's Report.

A motion was made by Peter Davis, seconded by Mike D'Agnes and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the February 2004 bill list.

A motion was made by Peter Davis, seconded by Mark Proudman, with Robin Rosen abstaining, for the approval of the January 14, 2004 meeting summary, with the amended las page to read meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm instead of meeting was called to order at 8:45 pm. The motion carried.

Mr. Azzarello gave his Director's Report.

Globespan Birata appears to be looking into locating at the exit 120 site. The market is growing and their stock is picking up so they are weighing this location with one at exit 109 in Red Bank. One of the issues they face is that Old Bridge has charged them taxes over the last two years. They have appealed those taxes. They were not happy with the fact that Old Bridge prevailed.

If Globespan does not occupy the building they do not get a tax abatement.

Mr. Gillespie stated that Globespan has a state grant that is contingent upon their moving to Old Bridge. Mr. Azzarello will check with the EDA to see what the status and cash value is of that grant.

Mr. Azzarello and Brian Enright, tax assessor, have discussed long term goals to bring Globespan into Old Bridge along with tax incentives offered in the original tax abatement program. The PILOT program would seem better suited at this time.

The Old Bridge division of Raritan Bay Medical Center had its 25th anniversary kickoff in January. We are beginning to campaign to address the Old Bridge division.

Raceway Park will be utilized in conjunction with attention to the hospital. Raceway Park wants to address better ways to attract attention to the community in a positive way.

Mr. Azzarello congratulated Robin Rosen and Oasis Ford on their acquisition of Future Chevrolet, which will now be Oasis Chevrolet.

Mr. Azzarello attended a meeting in North Brunswick with Congressman Rush Holt on behalf of the mayor and the Economic Development Corporation. Congressman Holt has been asked to come to Old Bridge for our economic development issues, and also to be involved in the 25th anniversary of the hospital.

Mr. Azzarello met with WAWA Corporation. They are interested in locating on Route 516 (near Old Bridge Tire).

Meetings have been held with Michael Alfieri regarding what his plans are to develop his land. His plans for development seem somewhat altered over what the original general development plan called for. Negotiations are under way.

Mr. Azzarello met with Kara Homes regarding their overall development and their new office building. Kara Homes has retained David Himmelman to look into a long term tax abatement program.

Mr. Azzarello informed the board that the mayor wants us to consider two new redevelopment zones. A piece of Mannino Park, which will be the YMCA, and the Rose Farm, which will be the municipal golf course. Both are Township owned lands.

Under the redevelopment statute we gain more flexibility, funding mechanisms and the ability to develop properties such as the YMCA and golf course.

A recommendation will be made from the board that we support the efforts of a redevelopment zone in the partial part of the Mannino Park and the Rose Farm.

The resolution will be sent to the Council for the February 23, 2004 meeting for approval and then to the Planning Board.

The O&Y parcel has been renamed Old Bridge Crossroads.

Mr. Azzarello explained that the agreement we reached with the YMCA is that we were going to provide the land and they were going to provide the building, construction and the management of it at no cost to the taxpayer. They are going to raise the money through a capital campaign and then mortgage the remaining portion through membership fees and charge enough to carry debt service.

A motion was made by Larry Redmond, seconded by Joe Arena and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the Executive Director's Report.

A motion was made by Ed Testino, seconded by Raj Patel and unanimously agreed upon to approve a resolution for the golf course property (Rose Farm) to be considered by council as a redevelopment area.

A motion was made by Joe Arena, seconded by Mike Spina, with Peter Davis abstaining, to approve a resolution on a portion of the Mannino Park site (YMCA) to be considered by council as a redevelopment area. The motion carried.

Mr. Azzarello will meet with Tom Downs, attorney, to prepare the resolutions for council.

PRESENTATION

Jonathan Heilbrunn, Esq. was in attendance to explain plans for a renovation of the Browntown Shopping Center, now owned by the Lightstone Group, and a new facility, Ralph's Italian Ices, which will be located in the shopping center. Carter Burgess Consultants, Inc., located in Maryland, are the architects and planners for the site.

New facades are planned for the entire facility, and a general clean up of the site. There is approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of office space, which will remain. No changes will be made internally at this time. The complex is 100% occupied.

Proper notification will be given to the existing tenants to prepare for the construction.

A traffic engineer has been contracted to perform studies of the roadways and to do parking counts within the shopping center.

It is the intention of the Lightstone Group to buy out the lease of the existing gas station and replace it with a more aesthetic station.

Ralph's Italian Ices presently has a location in Manalapan. They do not yet have an application before the planning board in Old Bridge.

A motion was made by Mark Proudman, seconded by Mike D'Agnes, with Larry Redmond, Edward Testino and Patrick Gillespie abstaining, for the endorsement of the presentation of the rehabilitation and facade improvement of the Browntown Shopping Center. The motion carried.

Peter Davis, chairman of the subcommittee, gave the results of the February 9, 2004 meeting in which they reviewed a draft redevelopment plan from Dave Roberts, Schoor DePalma.

Mr. Davis explained the three maps (A, B and C) and their delineations.

The maps showed senior detached homes, senior attached condos and townhomes, offices and hotel, senior apartments and retail in the center, with small shops such as a deli and restaurant and some flex space.

The amounts of the units were not given. These figures will be provided with the final plan.

Mr. Vincenti stated that offsite costs such as a traffic light and utilities can become part of the redevelopment plan and the obligation of the master developer.

Mr. Davis informed the board that by the next meeting we will have a full plan for consideration complete with the number of units and how many square feet we are talking about, both residential and commercial.

The subcommittee will meet before the March 10, 2004 meeting.

Mr. Gillespie asked Mr. Azzarello to review and chart the submissions received from the developers from the November 13, 2002 special meeting showing who submitted, what was submitted and how much it comports with what we are contemplating.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.