Present were:

Mayor Jim Phillips	Russell J. Azzarello, Director	Larry Redmond
Patrick Gillespie, President	Edward Testino, Councilman	Nick Smolney
Peter Davis, Vice-president	Joseph Arena	Michael Spina
Robin Rosen, Secretary	Michael D'Agnes
Mark Proudman, Treasurer	Laheri Mehta

 

 

 

 

Absent were:

Kevin Ruffler

Raj Patel

John Vincenti

 

The 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.

Mr. Azzarello informed the Board that Mr. Larry Redmond's father-in-law passed away.

A motion was made by Mike Spina, seconded by Joseph Arena and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the February 2004 Treasurer's Report.

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

A motion was made by Peter Davis, seconded by Mark Proudman and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the February 10, 2004 meeting summary.

Mr. Azzarello gave his Director's Report.

Mr. Azzarello informed the Board that Academy Honda is looking to expand on their property.

Michael Alfieri owns a tremendous amount of property by exit 120. The original general development plan called for 1.6 million sq. feet of commercial ratables and 155 single family homes. He has asked to revise the plan. He has changed the commercial to 800,000 sq. ft. and the residential to 100 singles. His contention is that the original plan was predicated on having access off the Garden State Parkway. He is not getting cooperation from the DOT for this access.

The changes might invalidate the general development plan. He is looking to the town for some alternatives. We are fearful that we have a developer who is looking to lead with the residential rather than the commercial.

Raceway Park will be hosting the Warped Tour in August 2004. Approximately 27,000 people are expected. They have applied for and received a transfer of a liquor license.

Mr. Azzarello was the guest on the Mayor's cable show, called Visions, which airs before the council meetings. Council President William Baker sat in for Mayor Phillips.

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

Dave Roberts, School DePalma, was present to discuss the results of the meeting with the sub-committee and John Vincenti. Ms. Babineau's comments were also incorporated in the revised draft and the ones which weren't will be discussed.

One of the changes made was to specify owner occupied dwellings. The density was also specified.

Mr. Roberts explained that a redeveloper's agreement essentially accomplishes the same thing as a developer's agreement under a GDP. In addition to the site plan application, a developer of a project this size will provide the Township with all the submission requirements of a GDP. This means that you get a more comprehensive traffic study, a community facilities element, phasing, etc. so you have the additional information to review as part of the project rather than a straight site plan application.

Mr. Gillespie stated that regardless what the zoning of the property has been the adoption of the plan supersedes the zoning.

Mr. Roberts stated that overall the plan is consistent with the Master Plan. The one inconsistency is that the Master Plan focuses on all non-residential.

Mayor Phillips suggested that we agree on two units per acre which will net approximately 1000 units.

Mr. Roberts stated that the developers will tell us if these figures will work.

Ms. Babineau had comments concerning the public areas being kept for open space and for use by all residents. Mr. Phillips stated that Phillips Preserve adjoins our property and we have met that criteria.

Mr. Roberts stated that most likely a developer will come in and buy the whole tract and then dedicate the remaining property back to the Township.

Mr. Roberts suggested that we allow the Planning Board to have flexibility as it relates to the plan.

Mr. Azzarello stated that if the plan is as marketable and salient as possible, it makes the buying community come in. If you send the plan out restrictive, the buyers will not be interested. As you get the buyers, you can tighten the plan.

Mr. Roberts suggested that it might be some value telling developers up front what we expect in off tract improvements.

Mr. Roberts explained that the last part of the draft plan addresses the process of selecting the redeveloper. It is pretty much the standard request for qualification process.

The redeveloper selection process is normally done by the Township Council unless a redevelopment agency consisting of seven members is established.

Mr. Roberts stated that the redevelopment agency needs to be approved by the Local Finance Board.

If the Local Finance Board does not approve a redevelopment agency, the fallback is on the Township Council or the Housing Authority.

Another option is to have the governing body retain the redevelopment power, and the Economic Development Corporation would call them in when we need to use it. The Economic Development Corporation would do the screening of the redevelopers, but the actual agreement would be signed with the governing body.

Mr. Redmond stated we need an agency that will be solely devoted to this project.

Mr. Gillespie stated that anyone serving on the redevelopment agency will be required to attend two classes.

Mr. Roberts stated that we will have time to make changes to the plan between the time the Planning Board sees it and the Township Council introduces it. When it gets adopted it will be an ordinance.

Mr. Gillespie informed the Board that the governing body will introduce the plan at first reading; it is then referred to the Planning Board. The Planning Board has 45 days to review and it goes back to the Township Council for the second reading. It will then be published and a public hearing will be held.

A motion was made by Mike Spina, seconded by Mark Proudman and unanimously agreed upon to approve and adopt the draft plan as it has been presented with the changes discussed, and that prior to the formal presentation to the Township Council the sub-committee will meet at least one more time, and also to resolve Anne Babineau's comments with the understanding that the plan being approved will not change in any drastic way between now and April 12, 2004, which is prior to the Economic Development Corporation's next meeting, but is the date we will present the plan to the governing body.

The next sub-committee meeting will be held on March 22, 2004 at 6:00 pm in the mayor's conference room.

Mr. Gillespie informed the Board that in January 2004 the Board adopted a resolution to carry over the current officers of the Corporation. Upon discussions with Tom Downes, attorney, we were not in compliance with the standards of our by-laws.

Mr. Downs prepared a resolution amending our current by-laws to bring us into compliance.

A motion was made by Joseph Arena, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon to amend the current by-laws of the Corporation as per the resolution prepared by Mr. Downs.

A motion was made by Mike D'Agnes, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon to move the slate of the current officers until the next reorganization meeting, which will be held in January 2005.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.