Present were:

Patrick Gillespie, President	Nick Smolney	Laheri Mehta
Peter Davis, Vice-president	Michael Spina
Russell J. Azzarello, Director	Larry Redmond

 

 

 

Absent were:

Mayor Jim Phillips	Edward Testino, Councilman	Raj Patel
Mark Proudman, Treasurer	Michael D'Agnes	Kevin Ruffler
Robin Rosen, Secretary	Joseph Arena	Michael Jacobs, Business Administrator
John Vincenti, Township Engineer

 

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:45 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 Nick Smolney, seconded by Larry Redmond and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the October 2004 Treasurer's Report.

A motion was made by Nick Smolney and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the November 2004 Bill List.

A motion was made by Laheri Mehta, seconded by Nick Smolney, with Larry Redmond, Nick Smolney and Peter Davis abstaining, for the approval of the October 13, 2004 Meeting Summary, with the correction in Linda Seiler's last name. The motion carried.

Russell Azzarello gave his Director's Report.

Mr. Azzarello stated that the Council named the Redevelopment Agency. The EDC will mesh with the Redevelopment Agency in some format.

Two resolutions were handed out to the Board: One for the Crossroads Redevelopment Plan and one supporting the new COI zone.

The first resolution echoes the position that the Economic Development Corporation took when we were reviewing what our role would be in the effectuation of the Redevelopment Plan. The EDC recognized that we would not be implementing the plan. Implementation of the Plan would be done through an entity which has now been determined to be the Redevelopment Agency.

The EDC offered to lend resources, expertise and values. The Resolution before the Board reiterates that position.

Mr. Gillespie stated that the citation in the Redevelopment and Housing Law that specifically allows for advisory bodies to local Redevelopment Agencies should be added to the last paragraph of the resolution.

The second paragraph will also be amended to read "consents to serve" instead of "will serve".

A motion was made by Nick Smolney, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon to accept the resolution with the changes put forth.

The second resolution refers to certain areas zoned residential in the Township that the Town Council has recognized would be best suited for non-residential (COI Zones, office, commercial and industrial).

Mr. Redmond explained that this was presented at the Planning Board on November 9, 2004 and, because everyone was seeing the maps for the first time, it would not have been fair to vote on it at this time. Comments were taken from the public. The Engineering and Planning Departments will address any questions and it will be voted on at the December 7, 2004 Planning Board meeting.

Mr. Azzarello stated that this falls in line with our mission and all ratable growth.

Mr. Smolney asked if there were any technical issues on the zoning designation being sought in terms of moving from residential to non-residential.

Mr. Smolney wants to make sure that we put forth the positive aspects of what everybody wants.

Mr. Gillespie explained that there are two ordinances before the Council. The first is that there is a change in the zoning map. The important thing about that change is that there are 750 acres of property currently zoned for residential that has highway frontage and redesignate it as COI.

Mr. Smolney wants that to be a very strong aspect of the support that the EDC brings. The EDC will only support the ordinance referring to the COI zones.

The other ordinance is more of a generic, technical ordinance (signs, setbacks, etc.). The EDC will not be involved in that.

Mr. Redmond stated that this zoning change is in direct correlation with Smart Growth and the way planners and municipalities are now thinking.

A motion was made by Nick Smolney, seconded by Laheri Mehta, with Peter Davis abstaining, for the support of the Resolution supporting the COI zones - Ordinance #39-04 specifically. The motion carried.

Mr. Azzarello stated that we are still working with BJ's Club. The fifteen acres they are looking at is privately owned. Options for signage such as licensing or leasing are being looked at.

The Board of Education wants to protect their land at the Nike Site should the need arise for a future school site.

Healthnet will be meeting with Mr. Azzarello later this week to discuss the public relations that they would like to put forward about coming to Old Bridge Township. They will be occupying the 5th floor at exit 120 with approximately 235 people in a 40,000 sq. ft. area.

Mr. Azzarello met with Turner Construction, who is doing the work for Healthnet, the Building Department, the national facilities manager and the local facilities manager to expedite the permitting process.

Mr. Azzarello informed the Board that there is a redevelopment zone currently being identified in Aberdeen where the Anchor Glass company used to be. Sharbell is the developer. They are going to do a mixed use development and are interested in Alfieri's property at exit 120.

Mr. Azzarello is meeting with Michael Alfieri because his GDP has a short lifespan. He has come in with a couple of plans but he has an obligation under the current GDP for 1.6 million square feet of commercial, office ratables, etc. He has given us a plan of 800,000 and his concern is that he cannot get the egress that he anticipated.

A motion was made by Nick Smolney, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon for the acceptance of the Executive Director's Report.

Mr. Gillespie opened the meeting up to the public and seeing there were no public comments, closed the public portion.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.