Planning Board - Regular Meeting

Good. Calling this meeting of the Palm Lakes Planning Board to order. Coral W advance notice is required by NJSA 10 colon feedback. What? Getting a lot of feedback. Feedback. I don't know why. Look at echo. Hello. Someone sign with their phone. Yeah. Feedback. Is there a speaker under there that you can like turn down? Yeah.

Oh, it's coming from right there.

Technical difficulties.

No, it's still there. flashlight on the phone.

Never. I don't think there's a volume on that. Where's the feedback coming from there? Coming from right here. Coming back on the computer. Is there a microphone? Volume control. Like as big as her. Is there a switch over there on the screen that kicks it off or not just that? Wow. Wow. What would I need to know about that? How about now? No, it's still there. No, we'll hear you when you guys. They'll hear you.

That's better now. Like two second delay. It's coming through. Um, you know what? Let's try this. Let's everybody shut their mics off for a minute underneath.

Test them. If you're pushing the button, you got to hold it. Yours is still on cuz I heard you. Everybody's got theirs off. Still playing. That microphone is being played. Okay. So, it's recording and playing at the same time. Is it just your mic? No. No. There's a there's a microphone here that when you speak in any of these, it's playing. Do you know anything about What if it's a software? What's a software issue? And it's uh something in the program that we are speak. Yeah. I don't know. Try now. Hello. External.

Hold on. That may be good. That's it. Okay. Okay. Good. You fixed it. She fixed me. You take credit for that. Take credit for credit. Brian, you're not taking credit for anything. Everybody could put their mics back on. On top, Mr. Red button on the bottom. Or if if you switched it off on the bottom, turn it on on the bottom. I did. If the red light is on, you're good. If the red light's on, you're good. You're good. Okay. Shall we try this again? Yep. You are

okay. Follow advanced notice is required by NJSA 104-16 has been provided this meeting at least 48 hours in advance of today giving the time date and location and to the extent known time the agenda of the meeting such stated that formal action may or may not be taken. The notice was one posted on the bulletin board outside of the offices of the municipal clerk reserved for this and other similar announcements. two provided to the suburban trends, the newspaper designated by the burough council to receive such notices and three filed with burrow clerk. Please stand for pledge of allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Can we get a roll call, please? Yes. Mr. Simone here. Mr. Otto here. Dr. Pendster here. Mr. Bulby here. Mayor Sarah here. And Councilman Patrick Quinn here. Uh Mr. Bma here. And Mr. Foster here. Thank you all. Thank you.

Okay. First item on the agenda is minutes. We have two sets. Regular meeting minutes for June 17, 2025. Can we have a motion on that, please? Motion by you Paul. Yeah. Bulby. Second. Okay. Yes. Mr. Foster. Uh, Mr. Simone. Yes. Mr. Otto. Yes. Dr. Pendster. Present. Mr. Bulby. Yes. Mayor Sarah, yes. Councilman Quinn, yes. Mr. BMA, yes. And Mr. Foster, yes. Thank you.

Second item, regular meeting minutes, September 6, 2025. May I have a motion, please? I'll make a motion, Mr. Otto. Second. Second by, Mr. BMA. Uh, roll call. Discussion. Anybody have comments, questions, or additions? Okay, roll call. Mr. Simone, yes. Mr. Otto, yes. Dr. Pendexter, yes. Mr. Baldi, yes. Mayor Sarah, yes. Councilman Quinn, yes. Mr. BMA, yes. Mr. Foster, yes.

Okay. First item after that is approval of bills. First set is Collier's Engineering and Design Professional Services for July through August and the total amount of $6,5145. Is there uh any questions on these invoices? If not, I'll take a motion. Motion. A second. Second. Second. Foster. Thank you. Uh all in favor? I.

Any opposed? And the second set is for Mar City Falcon LLP Legal Services. Uh this looks like it's for June, August, and September. $3,966.50. Motion to approve. I'll make Mr. Foster. I'll second. Second by Mr. Otto. All in favor? I.

Thank you. Any opposed? All right. Correspondence. Public notice. We have a public notice of the north pumping station replacement. That is the one that's behind MAX. Uh the MUA has that uh scheduled for replacement because it's an old station. Uh this is a letter for notification that a flood hazard area. Individual permit will be submitted. They required to notify several agencies including the planning board. If anybody wants to see the location map that came with it, I have it here, but it's it's basically directly behind the almost in the uh parking lot behind Max. The second one is a memo from Brans Municipal Clerk, adoption of an ordinance zoning walls in the ordinance of the borrow of Bloomingdale in the county of Pake. um their ordinance was adopted uh 7th day of October. That's just forformational purposes. And let's see with that we are into applications. We have one application on the agenda tonight that is PB25-04 Washington Urban Renewal LLC.

Chairman, you might want to mention Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, we do have a bit of bad sad news for us on the board here. Uh, we were advised that Andy Silverstein, who is a longtime member of the planning board and is the redevelopment agency, has passed away uh, unexpectedly. U, from what I understand, it was rather short illness. Um, Andy has had probably 40 years between the two, if I had to guess. 35 to 40 years of dedication to the barrel. Um he has been a member and the chair of this board and he was the chair of the redevelopment agency and was school board on board of adjustment.

School board of adjustment. That's right. So he he has been in the burrow a long time and he has been active in the burrow and he was a genuinely nice guy and um we're very sad to hear that he passed away and our condolences from the board go to his family. PB2504 Washington Urban Renewal LLC 125 WQ Avenue block 3101 lot 401 zone DR A1 and yes sir bring us up and and start your uh application. Thank you. Good evening chairman, members of the board. My name is Steve Beltry. I'm an attorney. I represent the applicant and owner of the subject property 125 Wiku Avenue in Pomp. Uh, as you all probably know, the subject building is in the middle of the redevelopment area. It is known as the Washington building. We are here tonight seeking a preliminary and final site plan approval for changes to the existing building and parking area. We believe the proposed changes and improvements will upgrade and modernize the building and be a benefit both to the community and surrounding property owners. The biggest proposed change will be to demolish the existing second floor which is currently used for office space and to rebuild it to provide for residential apartments. We're proposing eight apartments, seven two-bedroom apartments, and one one-bedroom apartment. You should note that the residential apartment use is a permitted use in the zone.

The existing first floor and basement retail units will remain. They are also permitted uses in the zone. The existing parking area will be repaved and restriped. They will provide 21 spaces plus we receive a twospace EV credit. So we'll have a total of 23 uh offsite uh parking spaces, I should say on-site parking spaces, off streetet parking spaces. Each apartment will receive two exclusive spaces between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. The other improvements will include a new trash enclosure area, a new lighting plan, new landscaping, uh a firstf floor residential lobby, and a new atrium entry to the rear of the building to the commercial unit. This application has been presented to the Pompton Lakes Redevelopment Agency and after several thorough meetings, we did receive design approval. In February of this year, the applicant entered into a redevelopment agreement and has posted all necessary escros. your engineer in in uh its report uh mentioned a split zone issue and wanted a clarification on that and it was addressed at the redevelopment agency in detail. If if we go back 10 years the subject

site was comprised of two lots lot four and lot five. On lot four, the building was located and that was in the redevelopment area. Lot five, which is behind, was the parking area, and that was in the business district. The issue came up at the redevelopment agency because we were wondering if there was proper jurisdiction to be there because of the split lot situation. research was done and Debbie Lawler from CERS and the burough attorney determined that in 2014 the lots merged into what is now lot 4.01 1 and I have an email from Miss Lawler from June of 2022 that says that I also asked my client for the tax bill and the tax bill clearly is now one lot 4.01 and it was determined that the redevelopment agency that the entire lot was in that district. So what looked like there a split lot situation or split zone situation I don't think exists at the present time. We've tried to design and improve the property to comply with the goals and almost all of the requirements of the zoning ordinance and redevelopment area. However, there are some variances that we are applying for. They are pre-existing variances for the most part. And what you're going to hear is

that this application does not aggravate or accentuate any of those variances. In fact, what it does for the the biggest variances, the uh uh impervious coverage and the off- streetet parking variances, we're reducing the existing deficit. So, we believe that if this application is improved, the entire situation on site will improve. There was also a note in the uh engineers report about facade signs. Um and we agree with the comment in that report and my clients have agreed to eliminate any ex uh excess facade signs that triggered any type of variances. We will comply with the ordinance. Having said that, I do have uh four potential witnesses tonight. We have uh professional engineer, our architect, a professional planner, and the applicant is also here.

Great. So, with that, I'd like to call uh Thomas Donnu, our professional engineer. Can I raise a question to Mr. Brewer before you get started?

Yes. Um so as the applicant has indicated at some point in time these lots were merged into one lot. I I have no um reason to dispute that. Um however at the time that the area in need study was conducted only the portion of the property that contains the building was found to be in need of redevelopment and therefore included in the redevelopment plan. merging the lot does not move the zone line um making it um in my opinion a splitzoned lot. I don't think that that necessarily has any bearing on what the board would decide to do tonight because we evaluated it um as a split zone lot and we looked at the variances in that way. But um I don't know if these my interpretation versus the applicants interpretation needs to be rectified before we proceed or if that is moot if the board is okay with the application. They're okay with the application. I don't think that it has a an impact on the jurisdiction of the board. So correct,

the board can go forward if it has to be resolved at the end of this. I'll reevaluate, but the the board has jurisdiction to hear it. So they need to go and if you did split split lot zoning and they can address both of them, it's kind of a mood issue. We do that. Okay. See how far we can get. Okay. Uh again, we're calling Thomas Donnu, our engineer. Please spell your Please uh state your name. Spell your last. Thomas Donahue. D O N O H U E. Engineer. Keep your hand up. Engineer for the applicant. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you'll give this evening before this board will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you God. Thank you.

Proceed. Mr. Donnie, can you give the board uh the benefit of your qualifications and experience? I have a bachelor's of science and civil engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. I have over 30 years of experience in engineering, civil engineering, site planning. I've testified uh before at least 100 boards in New Jersey. Uh some of the surrounding ones are Riverdale, Monik, Butler, Kennelon, Lincoln Park, and Wayne. and my license is in good standard. Acceptable. Thank you. Thank you.

Uh Mr. Donnie, in preparation for tonight's meeting, have you reviewed the zoning ordinances of the burough lakes? And are you familiar with the site located at 125 W Avenue? Yes, I am. Now, you prepared a site plan which is in front of the board tonight. Is that correct? That's correct. Uh, can we mark that site plan uh A1? Is there any Has there if there's not been any change, it doesn't need to be marked. You can just reference the page. No. Yeah, I don't think there's been change since the last revision. Correct.

Correct. Um, the plans that I'll be discussing are consist of seven sheets um entitled preliminary and final site plan for lots 4.01, 01 block 3101 last revised on 10725 and Mr. Donnie you uh take the board through the plant. Um the property is the corner lot um has frontages along Wiku Avenue, Kolfax Avenue and Lakeside Avenue. It's irregular in shape. Uh the building,

excuse me a minute before you start, Tom. But you said the current um revision is as of when? 10725. Okay. The plans I'm looking at are 925. We had 107. You have 107. Now see the set. I got this one here is revised. Yeah. 902. Oh, I'm wondering here. I'll take that. Just want to make sure we're all in the same place. Mine's 107.

So, check your front page on Mr. Donnu's set of plans. A revision of 107. I have not. Yeah. 107. Okay. Now, we're on the same page. No, I have 94. You have what? Uh, September 4th. Okay. Uh, this is not the set. That's Donnie. Um, not not the architect. It was the engineering set. It's got a colored um map.

You have it. I have about 10 share. There are definitely emails. I don't know if I have enough copies for everybody. Well, we can share anyway. It's big set.

Done. Wait, do we have another extra set here? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Does anybody need a set? 107. Yeah. Anybody else need a set? 107. All right. Sorry, Tom. Okay, we're on 107 and uh what drawing are you on? I'm on sheet two, existing conditions. Gotcha.

Um again, the property has three frontages on Monu Avenue, Kfax Avenue, and Lakeside Avenue. It's irregular in shape. Uh the property size is 17,820 square ft. Uh the property contains the existing two-story building which has frontages on Wanuku Avenue and Kfax Avenue. Um as mentioned uh the current uses are retail on the first floor and basement and on the second floor uh there are existing offices. Uh the parking lot is striped with 18 parking spaces. There are uh concrete walkways behind the existing building. Uh the building has a nonconforming sideyard setback of.3 ft where 10 ft is required and also a non-conforming imperous coverage of 100% where 85% is maximum and also non-conforming parking in the front yards of KFax and Lakeside Avenue. Uh the parking lot has access off access egress off of KFax Avenue and also Lakeside Avenue uh through two driveways. Uh the existing parking demand for the current uses uh retail spaces uh would require 49 parking spaces and the office area would require 29 parking spaces. A total of 78 parking spaces would be required for the current uses. And again, the parking lot is strike with 18 parking spaces. Switching to sheet three of seven entitled site plan. Are the applicants proposing to renovate the

first floor retail space as shown in the architectural plans and the architect will describe those in more detail. Uh the second floor offices will be removed and the applicant will construct one one-bedroom apartment and seven two-bedroom apartments. Additionally, the basement will be renovated. Uh the existing retail will remain and residential amenity spaces will be added to the basement. The parking lot will be reconstructed with curbs and striping for 21 parking spaces. Access will be from KFax Avenue and that driveway will be widened to 24 ft. The Lakeside Lakeside Avenue driveway will be closed. A dumpster area will be installed. on the northern property line of the parking lot. Uh there'll be some ballards added along the um ends of the proposed parking spaces adjacent to the sidewalk entering into the building area. The parking lot will have one ADA van parking spaces and also two EV parking spaces provided. Uh the applicant is proposing to use the parking lot as efficiently as possible. So with the parking calculations again retail spaces which will remain the area will remain constant uh 49 parking spaces one one-bedroom space will be two parking spaces and seven two-bedroom uh apartments will be 14 parking spaces requiring 65 parking spaces for the uses.

Uh there'll be 21 parking spaces striped in the parking lot and we have a two EV credits. So we'll have 23 parking spaces provided. Um what the site plan indicates is that we are proposing to label the parking lot with the apartment. Mouse is sensitive. um with uh two spaces for each apartment. Um and we'll also have signs at each one of those for residential apartment parking only between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Uh therefore, those spaces can be used for retail during the day uh beyond those hours. Uh, additionally, we're providing a loading space and the loading space um is 10 by30 and that will also have a sign indicating that the loading zone uh parking will be from Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Uh beyond that, that parking space can be used for residential and or retail for the property. uh variances and and design waiverss required for the project would be the building sideyard setback of.3 where 10 ft is required. The impervious coverage will be reduced to 96.7% where 85 is maximum 85% is maximum and again the existing is 100%. Uh we'll continue with the parking spaces located in the front yard on KFax and Lakeside Avenue as existing. Uh the loading space, we're indicating that to

be in the front yard um where it's only permitted in the side and rear. Again, we have three frontages and um that's location that we're the applicants proposing it at. Um, also a requirement is 25 ft from the property line and we're proposing it to be 3 ft beyond which is beyond um the landscape buffer area that we're proposing. Uh, the loading excuse me the uh parking number of parking spaces 23 proposed 65 required again the existing is 18 where 78 is uh the current demand. Uh so the proposed project will reduce the demand and also increase the number of parking spaces on site. Switching to sheet four of seven the entitled draining plan. Uh currently the entire roof runoff discharges through roof leaders onto the existing parking lot and from there uh street flows across the pavement to Kfax Avenue mostly and then a portion of that goes to Lakeside Avenue. Uh what the applicant is proposing to do is to collect the entire roof runoff um into one pipe and discharge that to the existing inlet that's in Kfax Avenue. So the amount of water onto which would flow onto the parking lot would be reduced more or less in half. Uh the parking lot will be mil and resurfaced and regraded to provide uh

sheet flow pitching over to the proposed widened driveway on Kfax Avenue and will discharge into the existing inlet that's on Kfax Avenue. a soil erosion and sediment control application will be made because uh the proposed um disturbance of the parking lot is over 5,000 square ft. So that'll be uh provided at a future date. Switching to sheet five of seven entitled lighting plan. Uh the applicant is proposing to install three building wall lights to provide lighting on these adjacent sidewalk areas. Um along with that they'll be installing two light poles. Uh the light poles will be 16 the illumin uh the light fixtures will be at 16 ft uh for light poles and 15 ft for the wall units. Um the engineer has requested that the average light intensity for the parking lot as we're indicating now to be reduced and we can comply with that request. Uh the uh parking lot is sufficiently lighted with the current layout but will be reduced um in the future to um comply with the burough code ordinance. the landscaping plan, which is sheets six of seven. Uh the proposed parking lot area is 6,940 square ft. Uh the office is proposing to install six shade trees surrounding the parking

lot area along with uh small shrubs and ground cover which will be planted in the border area which will be between the parking lot and the uh municipal sidewalk which surrounds the parking lot area. Additionally, the applicant will install two shade trees along Wanaku Avenue. Uh it would appear that two of those trees are are missing as um they would be in line with the uh two exist two outside existing trees that are on one avenue. So the applicant will plant those two on a few. That's an overview of the projects. Sheet 707 is construction details uh which will be installed during construction.

Um first let me ask a general question. Has this gone past the county yet? Has county been consulted? Yes, the county has reviewed this. Um they had some questions regarding setbacks and the setbacks of the awnings on Wanuku Avenue along with um the right of way uh master plan right ofway was not indicated previously on the uh Wanu Avenue right of way

and they didn't require a trench train on Kofax. They did not require a trench drain in their comment letter. They did uh make a recommendation their specific wordage. Have you guys seen it? Okay, I can comment to that once.

Uh comment number 11 of the county um review letter which was dated June 27th, 2025. Uh it indicates it is recommended the municipality require the applicant to retain a 25-year storm for a 1-hour duration on site. Just wanted to make sure you went through the county cuz they have quite a bit of say here. We we have there's a letter and stipulate that we will comply with all their conditions uh prior to any building permits being issued. Great. engineering. Let's see what we have there. You have a long letter to address.

Okay. So, just um if I may just go back to the county letter for a minute. Um I understand the storm water management that you provided was just a direct connection to the inlet. And in theory, we have no exception to that. Take no exception to it. Um, but in seeing the county's comment, I just want to make sure um because I can't tell where this drainage is going once it hits that inlet, if it's going towards Lakeside or towards Waniku. But if the county is recommending that we put in some sort of a retained system, some kind of dry well or something, I would um defer to the county and say that we should add that cuz I'm thinking that if you're going directly to this inlet, it's probably heading towards Monu Avenue and that's what their concern is. Um from from the survey and from my inspection of that inlet, it appears to be going towards Lakeside. Um but again, KFax and Wanukq are could get effective. So

yeah, but I I believe the applicant will comply with putting in the uh infiltration basin if that's a requirement. Yes, I would stipulate that we include that as a requirement since the county is also recommending it. Um generally speaking,

what's the what's the specific requirement? um to put in a seepage pit to allow for the drainage the roof leader drainage rather than a direct connection to the inlet. I mean overall they are reducing the runoff um so you wouldn't technically require storm water management measures. It's not a major development um by by D definition but given the county I would defer to them and ask the applicant to include that. And and while we're on utilities, did you um anything with the sanitary sewer?

The sanitary sewer, I think we just needed to know um I remember what my comment was. I don't know if we've heard about the existing connections and if they're going to be reused or if there's going to need to be any upgrade. I believe the the existing um size of the service line is 5 in which comes off the rear of the building and there's an 8 in line um running through the parking lot currently which it connects to. Uh we would have to check to see if uh the 5- in line is uh sufficient to handle uh the proposed. So there's no calculation that's been made?

Not at this point. if we can work with you and and uh if it needs to be a 6 in then we'll we'll provide that.

And then really my my other comment on the letter is the requirement or the request for a traffic statement with trip generation counts. The county is looking for um just some statement saying you know what the increase is if it's over 100 trips then you would need a traffic impact study. So, I don't know if you've looked at that or can give us, you know, some info on on the increase in traffic that you expect. So, I I'm going to comment on that. Um, a traffic uh engineer has been consulted. Uh, he is working with the county. We don't believe that there's going to be uh a need for a traffic study with the county. Uh I don't have the certification yet, but obviously that'll be a condition subject to.

Okay. This is a permitted use. Uh so we did not intend to do a traffic study, nor do we think it's necessary. Okay. Well, we'll find out at some point. Absolutely. Okay. Okay. Um next question. You mentioned that there are 21 parking spaces proposed, but it appears that there's only nine on the Lakeside Avenue side and then you have the loading space. Are you considering that to be a shared parking space?

Yes, because as I mentioned, the the applicant is trying to use the space available on site as best as possible. And so they're designating a loading area for Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. And then beyond that, that parking area or that area can be used for retail or residential use,

but it doesn't specifically say that on the signage that you're proposing. It says that the loading zone parking area only for that time. If you would request different verbiage, we can we can modify that as necessary. That's why I left it as being 10 parking spaces on that. I'm not sure we can double count for parking and loading in one spot. But my my bigger concern is that I mean where I live, deliveries come all day long. Um, not to say nothing of move in, move out, which I understand is occasional, but um, why it would end at 12 is not clear to me.

Well, if there were deliveries uh, for the tenants, the um, applicant would inform them that deliveries would only take place during those times. You can't tell UPS when they're going to come. I'd love to be able to tell Amazon UPS when I'm going to be home, but that doesn't doesn't work that way. Well, I guess if that space is available at that time, then or or we have to reduce the number of parking spaces. There's too few now. Yep. By one. By one. Well, while we're speaking of parking, and I'm not trying to cut you off, but

the um reservation or whatever for parking spaces, overnight parking for tenants, um sounds like a benefit to the tenants, but my concern is that once 8:00 a.m. or whatever time that ends um comes, there's nothing to is there um any are are they forced to vacate those spaces because I would assume that a certain percentage um are going to be working from home and therefore how will we ensure that the ground floor businesses have the parking that they expect? Well,

we don't know how many people are going to be working from home. That's right. Most people I I can't give you a percentage that would stay or I would say most people work from home a couple days a week. Um and so I'm just trying to make sure that these businesses aren't left they know what they're getting into. Well, again, there's um whatever spaces would be available or would be available at that time. There's also a municipal parking lot which is nearby which could be used uh as as currently being used. Yep. Okay. I mean I just want this on the record. So the you're asking for a variance and the board needs to understand what what the situation may be on site.

So let me ask you another question too about that. The current makeup of the building compared to the future makeup of the building, if this were approved, shows that the office space up top and the residential space up top, there'll be more spaces required for the residential. No, no, more for the retail. There would be more spaces required for office space. Okay. So, you're reducing by a dozen or so spaces. The required number, the deficit. Yes. Okay. And then the basement is currently retail.

There's a section of the basement which the architect can describe which is currently retail which will remain as retail and that requires parking calculation which is built into what you guys gave us. Yes, correct. Okay. I'll have a question for Mr. Untily about the use of the the basement. So we'll wait for you for that. I'm sorry. Go ahead. anymore, but you you you're going

all right. I'm kind of bouncing around here. Um, one of the items that we were asking for testimony on is why um the approach of installing a green roof um wasn't looked at because that would increase the allowable impervious coverage by 10%. So, just um if you looked at that approach or Well, you could ask the architect. I was not involved in that, but we've provided as much green space as we can around the parking lot and we are reducing the impervious coverage and providing more parking spaces.

All right. So, I'll hold I'll hold that question for the architect as well. Um, I think there's some signage. I think you would want to speak to that, Kristen, or um Well, they sort of they sort of um the attorney mentioned that in his intro. So, you're going to bring the signage down to eliminate the need for any variances based on this calculation. There's a comment in the letter. I think it's number 13. Mhm. And we agree. Okay. plans will reflect that. Yes.

And um my last question is the uh the dumpster seems to be kind of on that interior lot line. Um how would that trash be picked up? So a uh frontload garbage truck would enter from Kfax Avenue. uh front load um the dumpster area back up and then do multiple um K turns within the parking lot free area and then exit out to call back. Okay. Would you be able to provide a template for that?

Um I do have one that I prepared. Um it's you'd have to mark this with evidence. Yep. So this you have a hard you have a hard copy. I do.

So yeah, if we can get the hard copy out, mark it and give it to um board secretary before we talk about it. That's me. Evidence number one, Mr. Brewer. Yeah. A1.

Thank you. So this is a uh plan which indicates a front load garbage truck which is uh little less than 34 ft in length. Um, and this clam indicates the truck. I'm entering from Colax Avenue going over to where the dumpster area is and then backing up. So, it has the ability to back up again through multiple K turns with not affecting the parking spaces and then exiting out onto Colax Avenue. Do you know what size dumpsters are proposed there? Just two.

Um, the size is I I don't know exactly, but the size is 8 ft deep by 15 ft wide. So, they could probably provide like two would be one foot and then some recycling and that would be both for the building residents and the businesses. Yes. And would they be separated for um recycling or you would have recycling containers in there? Also, is it possible that since the dumpsters are not big, you wouldn't need a 35 ft long front load dumpster and a smaller unit could be used. I mean, I don't know what they make, but it would seem like

it could be. I was just trying to use the largest one. Yeah, sure. But I'm just I'm thinking practically is would be, you know, with people walking and parking and cars pulling out. I'm just suggesting should this happen, should this go through, maybe they can require that whoever the waste hauler is uses a smaller vehicle. That's all. Okay. May May I ask another question? Sure.

Okay. I I didn't know if we were going to wait till the end. Um what is the what are the I know it's an odd shaped parking lot with a lot of parking in it. What is the current way that the garbage trucks get in and out? Is does that change because they could previously leave through uh Lakeside Avenue or is it a similar kind of difficult proposition with the the existing?

Currently, I believe there's two um or one dumpster which is on the sidewalk area right behind the building. This area over here where my cursor is. Um, I'm not exactly sure how they enter exit, but there is uh two means of entering and exiting uh that parking lot area through the two parking uh excuse me, through the two driveway areas. Okay, I'm I'm just trying to think at the margin here and you know, we know that not everything is going to be ideal at all points in time. However, I want to think about is, you know, is this making things marginally more difficult or marginally, you know, a little bit easier

compared to we're providing more parking spaces on site and also I believe with the removal of that driveway. Uh the on street parking could also be extended um along Lakeside Avenue which currently takes place. So there could be additional parking on the street available with that driveway closed.

Anything other things you want to talk about? I mean, the only thing regarding this that I have a problem with is if the parking lot is completely full, what I can see happening is that truck may want to back out on the coax as opposed to making I forget how many turns there were, but it looked like there were at least six turns to get out. Yeah. Um, can you go back there? Cool. So, when it comes back, is it just nudging that little corner of the loading zone? You're you're assuming there's a car parked in that loading zone, right? So, it's not backing into it,

right? It would be to here. One, two, three, four, five, and then out. And again, um, the applicant can request or or require a smaller dumpster, which would alleviate some of the I would make sure that's in the conditions that this goes for approval that they use a smaller vehicle. Mhm. Mayor, just following up on what you're saying, did you look at maybe moving the dumpster somewhere else where it's closer to one of the entrances so the truck doesn't have to come in and out so much? Because I I see that as a problem.

You only have two openings and you have spots. You're going to gain a spot by not by using the spot that's in front of the uh dumpster and you're going to use a spot by taking So, you're just going to break even, but it would make the drive in out much easier. If we located the dumpster uh somewhere on the other side even adjacent to the um atrium which is this location here in this parking space um may be challenging for it to access. Well, I'm thinking on the lakeside on the lakeside side up there. Isn't that easier to get coming in and out with the dumpster right there when you come in and out? Is there enough space? I I'm I'm not following you.

Keep this driveway open one driveway. We only have one driveway right here on on Kax, right? So is where your where your zoning loading zone is. Yeah. If you flip-flop that, wouldn't it be easier for them just to turn into that and get into that? I I don't believe they'd be able to make this I'd bring that up. I know into that. is is no. Would you be able to put the dumpster approximately where says apartment number three, the last space there over here

and the entrance on Lakeside would be pull in and pull out without going near any of the cars. I don't know if it works with the spots on the far end if you close off keep Lakeside driveway open. Yeah. and possibly even move it down to like where the number 10 is there. Yeah. And you lose those spots. You just go in and then you back out. I I don't know if the numbers work with the spots, though. Yeah. But we would lose four parking spaces, but you gain any over. We lose this parking space, too. So, that would be six.

I think the simpler solution is just to manage the people who pick your garbage up. And unless somebody says that they don't make smaller ones, then I mean that would seem to be the least offensive and still maintain the number of spaces that you have. Um it's not ideal no matter what you do. And you do gain a couple spots on Lakeside Avenue. You do gain a couple spots in the lot by closing up the uh entrance and exit there. And you do absolutely lose those spots if you were to change the opening from uh Kfax to Lakeside. Is that correct? Yes.

What would your be your guesstimate of how many times the garbage truck would have to come into the lot? Once or twice a week? Twice a week. I would say twice a week. Okay. It's just not not a whole big deal. No, it's not a big deal. That's the town picking up the garment. That's not a private contractor, right? No, it's private. Is it be private? I'm sure. It's not the town. So, it's private, but twice a week from for the private contractor. Yes, I'm sure. Can I ask a follow-up question? Um, everybody on here, right now, you have uh certain designated spots for each of the retail establishments there. Uh, are you not for each retail establishment?

No. Good. because the one for the bodega is a rather ominous warning and it seems like there's I don't know three or four spots there that and I live nearby here that it seems like they're always empty so it' be good if there were just open parking for retail and not designated for the the bodega the gym or whatever it was. No, I I agree. Yeah, I've been to that. Only only the apartments. Good. Another question. This may sound silly, but I do have my reasons. Are the apartments going to uh be pet friendly? I I couldn't answer that.

Well, the reason I'm asking is because we have the issue with the Meridia project. Um people are going to have pets and uh there's been issue with people walking their dogs uh on school property which is right around the corner and that's a concern because they're not supposed to be walking their dogs on school property. And the town is currently discussing um like a a dog park or an open area down behind where Mike knows where the quans used to be for A1 Auto Body, but that's quite a ways of walk. So, I was just curious as to whether uh they're going to be pet friendly parking spots, apartments, and if so, I'm just wondering there's not going to be much green space there for them to use for for uh walking the dogs.

I don't have an answer on that. And I would I just to jump on that I would almost say that we might require this to be a nonprofit spacing. I'll agree with that. That can't that's the applicant. Yeah, I'll agree with that. No, you can't speak until you're Well, let let me let me say that uh based upon what I'm hearing, the applicant would agree with that condition. So, no pet. We can always get that in testimony later. Yes. CC or so. There's a lot of consent on the

two more things. One, I I I love the idea that what you're doing with the rainwater drainoff because I don't know what effect it the draining into the parking lot had on uh the corner there of Lakeside Avenue and Kfax Avenue, but I've at times been sitting in the ice cream station when the water came right into the building itself. So any water that may have come off the the Washington building out into uh Kfax Avenue that that caused a problem with that, it can only help by having a direct drain into the into the system. And and this is going to sound silly, but as part of the historical commission, I would ask that when you renovate that building that you save that plaque, if you want to call it, uh the 1924 is it or 26, I forget, if that's possible. Uh, I would like to I'd like to retain that cuz that's a part of Papa Lake's history. So, just to kind of keep that in mind.

Is there still that drawing of the Washington building here in the in our building? They say it's the back. Yeah. No, something completely off. Okay. Mayor, so go back to the parking gate. My concern is I think you have the spot's good, but what what what's the when you have a registered parking that's a shared parking concept, but people are there already and they don't move. What happens at that point? There's no fine. There's no nothing. So, people are going to be looking for extra parking. If people are either working from home or not working that day or whatever happens and your hours were a little off, I thought, you know, you said 6:00 at night, I think, is when it goes back. 6 to 8. We said

6. So, what happens if they're back at 5? Where do they park? Well, if there's an an open space, then they would park there. They could go to a retail doesn't, you know, if but at that time after 6:00, it would only be for residential. Correct. There's open spaces available uh hopefully on on the property. Otherwise, it's either on street parking or or the municipal lot which is 150 ft away. Um and again we're reducing the demand um on this property.

Yeah. And you know and the other thing that and this is all not just your project it's all the projects we do you know snow removal becomes an issue right with something like this because these cars have to be moved in order to clean the lot to snow to move them back. And I don't know what the plan is. Um and I know it's a difficult something to address but it has to be addressed on a small lot or these cars can't get in and out. And if you plow that lot you're going to lose some parking spaces as well. So instead of just plowing you, I'm going to have to remove it. So would changing the would changing the hours I remember I know you said something about the hours. Would changing the hours uh and having a stipulation like that make the load any easier? Is that still going to be a concern?

What I'm and it doesn't happen often, but you know I think what we have to look at as a board is when we have a bigger snowstorm, just what Paul was saying, then we might have to require them to remove the snow out of the lot. you can't push the snow into our street obviously and there's you can't if you're going to take up spots you're not losing spots to park. So that's something that we have to keep in mind because these isolated spots there's nowhere to go. They're not going to be able to park once the snow hits the ground and they pile it up in an area. Um so you know you use Lidle as an example. We've all been there when they had big snowtorms and those huge piles take up 10 12 spots. Even if they take three here that's going to make a difference. It's true because there's only so many spots and that's a huge if it's even three, it's a huge percentage of the lot.

It's just something to think about because I don't want, you know, I don't want their residents complaining, you know, they want they they deserve to have a spot and, you know, obviously someone shopping will have to go look for a spot. I understand that if they can't find a spot, but you don't want residents then screaming, "I don't have a place to park. My spot's covered or whatever it is. I have one other question related to parking. If I could throw this out. Um, do you have any comments from the fire department? Has anybody gone to them and talk to them about project?

I know that was one of our comments whether the fire department and the MUA had any concerns over fire safety or sanitary sewer connections. Uh we had a received a letter from the uh fire prevention bureau dated August 30th, 2025. Um talked about the sprinkler room and standpipe locations, egress within the building. So the applicant will comply with all those requirements. Will comply.

Yes. and the municipal u utility authority. We received a letter on dated September 3rd, 2025 and uh they had not received the architectural plans at that time. So they were requesting those to determine uh connection fees for the number of units um residential units versus um office space. So, I'm sure the applicant will comply with uh any requirements that the municipal utility authority has. Correct. I don't think you mentioned how many spots are in the public spot on one. Did you mention that?

Um there are a few sp uh parking spaces out front, but we're not counting those. No, I know you're not counting. I'm just trying to get the number of what that is. Is it five? There are five along the frontage. one being a an ADA parking space.

Right. But you know, we as a town would use that more for the retail side of that. What I wouldn't want to see is residential parking in those retail spots. That would cause us downtown. We have to identify that if they can't find a place to park, they can't even though they pay to park, they have to pay for responsible. Even though I think we have an ordinance in place only two or three hours back. Well, there's also the metering enforcement that's 24 hours a day, right? Yes.

Can we absolutely stipulate that? Is there any way that we can make that even more clear than it already is with our ordinances? It's going to be difficult to uh enforce access a requirement on public street parking. You know, it's I don't know. And and the other thing I had to address, are they the retail which is, you know, good established retail there now, are they building around this retail that's staying there? So nobody's being moved out. Maybe we have to wait for the architect. You have to ask the architect.

Um, another question I have that may be better directed towards the architect. I know you said something about moving the dumpster and then it came up. Okay. Well, what's that going to do to the the back entrance? Can can you point out where that is and how that is different from what it was previously? Um, the driveway existing driveway is at this location where my cursor is on Lakeside Avenue and the second driveway on Kfax is where my cursor is right now. And this this driveway is to remain and be widened to 24 ft in width.

I'm sorry. I I'm you misunderstand me. I mean, uh, I mean, like the literal into the building. I think you said something about moving a dumpster somewhere or another near the the actual entrance from the back of the building. The architect could describe the entrances, but they will be along the rear of the building. Okay. Uh, also along the front entrance. Um, so there's entrances on both sides and he can describe the access in and out of the building. Thank you. Okay. Any other questions for the engineer? Thank you, Mr. Dan. You Thank you, Mr. Beltry. It's all yours again.

Thank you. We'd like to call the architect, Giani.

It's on top of you, please. I got

good evening. One sec. One sec. Get over there. Yeah, it's 48. I'm not yet. Please raise your right hand. State your name. Spell your last. My name is John Ini. I N T I L I. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you'll give this evening before this board will be the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth? So help me God. I do. May proceed. Mr. You're a licensed architect in the state of New Jersey. Is that correct? Yes, sir. And can you just give the board the benefit of your background or qualifications, please?

Sure. My background, an artist background. Bachelor of fine arts university, New Jersey. Master of Architecture from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Been practicing for over 30 years. I'm retired. This is one last project. It's been going on for 10 years. So, we got it through tonight. I'm retired. So extra incentive it's uh say it's time to do you

actually yes we're starting in 2014 I appeared in front of many boards and the state of New Jersey have an account from Park Ridge all the way down to Shin your license is current till 2027 yes it's acceptable thank you Mr. Antella, you're familiar with this site. Yes, of course. And but I like to also to provide a few handouts. Okay. Do you want to do that now or why don't we get into some testimony first? Okay. All right. And you prepared the architectural plans that are in front of the board. Is that correct?

Yes, sir. And you have up on the screen, is that a proposed rendering of what the building may look like? the part completion.

Yes, that's the facade on Q Avenue. And if I can zoom in, just give me a second. Not familiar with this particular type. Oh, yeah. Yes, it's a micro. You can see in the center. Let's see. Cannot zoom in now. Can't zoom in. Sorry. Okay. So that's the Waku Avenue. But uh right and uh as I said this is the articulation of the renovation of this two this existing twostory building. Okay. So can you briefly take the uh board through the proposed layout of the building and the apartment?

Sure. Give me a second. you to go on to a distance. Okay. Okay. So, let's see. So we saw the site plan which pretty much supports with our civil engineer provided us testimony uh just before mine which pretty much shows the building from the top view and the parking lot and you can see on the north north side barbecue avenue see the callbacks and lakeside avenue really pretty much described here and atrium shown on there.

Sorry. Is the atrium shown on there? Uh, yes. It's covered by this pink tree. Okay. Okay. We'll get to that. Okay.

Okay. So, this is the basement floor plan. Oh, I'm sorry. That's I'm going to go back to the existing. Sorry. I have a few directories here. pick up and I'm going to run through it. Okay. Okay. Okay. So, let's start with the existing basement plan. Right. In this basement plan, you have a number of activities. Starting with the south end, let's call it south end of the building which is on Fox Avenue. There is an an existing staircase and uh it leads you see my cursor.

Yes.

Okay. That's what it's will be called an atrium. Right now it's an open staircase open to the elements which brings brings a person down into a basement area retail which used to be the shoe doctor basement retail area which is still there. It was accessed through a staircase and you see inside of the retail space. There were a number of rooms there and uh you know including mechanical there were some offices there as well storage area office areas and uh and that's the bulk of the existing some toilet rooms and that's basically the existing space and and that's where the calculations for parking were developed as far as the existing building is concerned and the First floor we have a number of retail shops, toilet rooms. Entrance to the building is on the center of the building on Monarch Avenue. And there's also rear exits, north side exit onto rear access to the parking lot that is on Lakeside Avenue to the existing building. And the second floor was basically office spaces with tele rooms, one staircase and uh not fully covering the first pool. So you will see that from I'm going to show you the photos from the existing. I'm sorry. I'm out.

Go back to Okay. Photos, old photos. So these are some old photos. Let's see if I can diminish this on the Banaku Street Avenue, right? Uh Monu Avenue elevations and these were taken at the time when I started this project. As you can see back then and this we're talking about 10 years ago was quite uh you know as far as canopy and the building itself uh was pretty much together as opposed to what it is nowadays which I'm going to show you. This is the main entrance of the building where we have that Washington uh it's a limestone cast Washington I think was mentioned before with uh uh uh the gentleman from the historical society and as you also can see the the articulation of the windows on the second floor it's well was made for offices and this will not work with new residential um views as far as egress windows because this will not qualify if it were to change what we have in place there nowadays. Uh this is a shot a photo shot from the corner of Kofax and Kfax to the right is to the left.

Same thing there. This is we're approaching the rear of the building and I don't know if you can see this particular let's see can zoom in there but I'm talking about this that's what the staircase is that leads from the back of the building down into what was the retail shop for the shoe doctor. Uh we're looking at the parking lot and again from the ice cream parlor we're looking at the parking lots. We're looking in the back from Lakeside Avenue and there was a question concerning the trash bin. Uh you know there was one there then oop sorry and here you can see the entrance from lakeside and uh and that's the way it is nowadays the building entrance looking from the inside out to about avenue and the staircase which is going to remain as much as possible of of it but modified in order to get the tenants, residential tenants to the second floor. Here you can see it and uh you know the stair staircase threads are marble are quite unique.

Giani, can you tell us what's being proposed compared to what we

Well, let me let me finish what's existing and I get into the propose uh if you don't mind. Yeah, I I just wanted to show that for example, this is the staircase from the shoot out to the to the retail in the basement. Okay. And these are the existing conditions. Uh let me go to the proposed. Okay. So see if we can do it here. Okay. So this is the basement floor plan. which shows on the south end of the building, the retail area. Uh we had uh an office where the landlord is paperwork. We have some rooms. We had a residential tenants gym in place. uh provides something for the residents as well as a community room to to have a birthday party laundry room uh tenant storage for the residential tenants and again staircase and I'm sorry but this rendering doesn't show this elevator that goes up to the second floor. Uh this is the layout for the uh for the retail spaces on the on the first floor apartments on the second floor. Uh apartments. So we did provide this for the 3 years for the uh this business redevelopment years of these apartments that finishes were

of good good quality for the tenants. Let me show this. Uh we have a roof, FL roof, which is going to be a a cool roof, not a green roof. Uh which means that uh it will be white and will reflect the sunlight and we'll enter and it's a it's a TPD roof that we're proposing. And these are the elevations that we're proposing uh for the building. So the articulation is separated into different uh let's see the store stores and residential units above on the second floor. And uh this is the elevation B Avenue. You see the canopy but you can't see the sign right here. And uh this is the Kfax Avenue. Kfax Avenue again is to the side street there. And the atrium is right behind this tree to this. Uh so basically the proposal is to enclose the staircase that goes to the basement as the building projects over it. In any case enclosed with a glass atrium to the to reach the basement level. And you can see it in this photo here. Again that pink tree is always in the way but it's there. Yeah. And this is the back of the building. And uh the back of the building is separated by by a a balcony between two apartments on the second floor. Uh the finishes we're carrying on the

same type of yellow brick that we currently have on the facade and but we're also introducing a rain screen which pretty much is a composite material that as you see breaks up you know the facade into different parts or different segments. So the articulation gives a bit of a break to a homogeneous building of uh one particular finish on the exterior like if brake also too the difference between the brick and the rain screen is articulated so that the rain screen is a little bit higher and uh and again the roof prepared areas are high enough to so that you will not be able to see the mechanical equipment that we proposing on the roofs which basically are all the air conditioning uh units the rooftop units that will be provided for both the residential and the commercial uh units that we have in this building. I think cover all of that there. Uh let me go to one second. Okay. Just to give you an idea, something is excuse me for a sec. Something went wrong.

This one I could burn there. Sorry. Okay. So you know this is very recent as of last night I went into Google maps just to get an idea and you can see that the building has even degenerated further as far as signs uh articulation of the building and uh and you can see the back of the building. Okay. So, we still have the shoot after signs there on that this photo. I haven't been to the site to assertain what's out there. I still don't see a garbage container back there. So, you can see from these photos that so you'll see the staircase. So that that goes down to the basement there. But that's that. Lost these lost item. Let's see. I have to go back to this. just to give you a what it will look like in terms of a video presentation. It's only 2 minutes. Not going to take much of your time on

this one. But since we put it together, we spent some time showing the articulation. Here you can see the signs. You can see the canopies. Okay, we put the sun below the canopies so that not above it's not telling the building is something. This is more elegant. Here's the entrance with a marble existing right and you can see also the bricks and the and the rain material there. So again breaks up the facade and uh and also the windows the windows to the second floor. These are egress windows. They're made for residential units so that we bring some sunlight into it. Air uh ventilation. Uh you see the landscaping. This is according to our plans. We have provided with a side plan. uh all new storefronts. So basically we are remodeling this building from bottom to top and there is nothing that is going to remain on the old building except for the entrance the Washington plot that is there. They were coming around uh Fox Avenue and again we take care of course the bodega is no longer a bodega but uh you know the owner of the building will testify as far as who's going to remain as you can see the atrium there that is enclosed it's glass enclosed as we're coming around the pave tree. Right.

And here's the parking lot. And again, we try to keep the garbage away from the building. Yeah. So, that's pretty much done. Johnny, can you uh just highlight the entrance? There's an entrance to the building and also the apartments and the size of of the apartment.

Yes, sir. And at the same time, I'd like to provide this as evidence since I revised the ADA uh building first floor accessibility route plan diagram. This is let's uh mark It's going to be A2. You just describe it. How many sheets? What is it? Three sheets. But also, we have this exhibit here. These are the renderings and photos and the video that I would like to introduce. Is that what showed on the screen? That'll be A3. So, that'll be A3. We already talked about that.

That's what we just saw. Correct. All right. Now, yeah, just describe what A2L is before you talk about it. One sheet. It's a single sheet or it's three sheets. Three sheets. Three sheets. Okay.

One is of the sign and canopies, elevation and details. One is the building first floor access accessibility route land and one is the calculations for all the signs according to elevation of the building that is bar elevation plus adding elevation lakes elevation. Okay, we're marking that. That's A2 jointly. A2.

Thank you. It may be A3. I I started talking about A2. He did this. The pictures were A3. So, we're sticking that to A2. There are enough copies. Okay. You sneak the Fiat in there, huh? Ah, you saw that. Saw that. The people that work.

Okay. So basically this is in response to the engineer and planner comments on the letters uh that was that uh as far as the sign what I'm showing you is calculation based only on the commercial area of the buildings that is the first floor and uh that we're meeting the 10% signage requirement for the area of the facade and all three street elevations for the signs to be 10 ft by 2 ft. So no variances are contemplated for signage. Okay.

Does that include the signage on the canopy? In the canopy. Is that included in this calculation? No, it's not. No, we have like 3 in by 60. Yeah, that should be added. I will have to put because we're low anyways. I mean, where's the staircase going to? You know, as you see the signage on Kax Avenue, we 96 square ft. We only have 80 on Monarch Avenue, 1987. We have 180 and uh 41.5 square ft on Lakeside Avenue.

That is no 1661. We're providing 14. But I think that her her point is if you count the canopies and you're over then you're not asking for the variances right now. You're saying you need no variances. No varian but if you count in the can one second if you count in the canopies which she's saying needs to be included and that bumps it over. You will need to be No, it will not bump it over because we have plenty area left over. That's with less than what we require.

Do you know what the dimensions are per canopy sign? 18 square in one square in I can guess right now but I can give you the exact dimension I can't okay so I guess I guess the best way to handle this would be they're saying no variances so this board is not saying no variances if if there are too many words on the canopy that would trigger a variance you need to just eliminate some words right correct okay y can't avoid it so but you seem to think it will comply anyway I think we have plenty areas. Yeah. So, just don't bring in a client with a really really long name.

Well, you know, rather than be 3 in letter, it will be like one inch. you know, we'll shrink the letter there, but we'll adjust it to to and uh the other item was the accessibility route which was requested from the business development uh board as far as showing our people who can enter the building and they also requested that we provide uh the you know and I will show you I think I better show you the drawings.

Completely off topic. It does. Do we have a battery issue? Excuse me. Do you have a low battery issue? I don't know. It's your It's your turn. Uh laptop. Should be plugged in. Now it's got an exclamation point. Yeah. I'm just worried it's got die in the old presentation. It should be called in there. Not that. Look at this. Thank you for pointing. Let's see.

Yeah. One way in which the light is green now. Okay.

So, let's see. Yeah.

Okay. So, as far as the plants are concerned, I'm sorry. The question I think there was no question asking about the comment. Oh, the power. Okay, we resolve the power. Okay, but basically we are as you see from the architectural plans was this submitted that we have an elevator on the basement floor plan.

Will you need a generator with that elevator? That was one of the questions in the engineers. No, it's not required, but we may add battery backup once we get into the design of the building. And our elevator engineer consultant will will work on that'll let us know what we need. But not a generator is not required by codes and I look into the codes for that the sub code. So Giani, can you outline for the board the entrances and exits to the building?

Okay. On Monarch Avenue, we have these uh new vestibule entrances. So they're recess into the building and they will work for ADA accessibility. So, there will be um there will be six of them on the retail area. I think we went through this at the redevelopment agency. The doors are going to be swinging in,

right? They're swinging in to a bathroom, right? So, there is a bathroom before. There is a space so that you can walk in in front of the storefronts. This storefront door is recessed in. So, and then you push the door in, right? So, it's recessed in 3 ft from the sidewall. So, the doors open in or out? Open into the retail space. That was required request by the office. Okay. If they open in though, uh, is that going to satisfy fire code? It does because we do it all the time regardless. Okay. And, uh, Trying to be sure,

right? And the swinging out basically uh it does prevent, you know, present a problem as far as swinging into the sidewalk. So each commercial unit has a a door, right? Ingress and ingress. What about the building? Egress is pushing out toward the parking lot. As you see up on there, you'll see all the doors as igress to the parking lot. They're all swinging up. We're swinging in on the front. We're swinging out in the rear of the building. Okay. And there's a residential lobby. Is that correct?

Well, call it a lobby. It's pretty much what I showed you in the photo of the existing that remains. That's the existing the frontal one. At the rear we have a, you know, open lavier with enough space to stock up deliveries from Amazon, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and anybody else. And the atrium is an entrance into just the commercial unit in the basement. Is that correct?

The atrium. Yes. It goes back to the again. Here's the basement area. brings you down into but also into the corridor of the building as a means of eress. You need to use that from the basement to get out. We need two means of eress. One is coming to the ent out to the second floor and the other one is the existing stair that comes out in the rear of the building. Okay. Does the elevator go to the basement? Excuse me. Does the elevator go to the basement? Yes, sir. Okay.

It's right right here. See my arrow? That's the elevator there. And it's close to the staircase too as well. But if you don't want to wait for the elevator, you go up the stairs. Yep. The apartments on the second floor. Apartments on the second floor. Do the size of each apartment comply with the ordinance requirements?

Yes. I think the smallest apartment is uh 78 783 square ft and that is one bedroom apartment. All the two bedrooms apartments are close to,000 square ft and and again there was an issue as far as the comments from uh Kier's uh engineering and design concerning this particular balconies here and the balconies there are to provide um you know windows to These bedrooms are located adjacent to each others. So, and we have these two two bedrooms apartments and where we opened up to have this balconies also which creates again an item of interest as far as the design of the building. Uh so this is the second floor residential area right and the elevator again it's here. staircase is there. Uh the roof plan again it shows all the units air conditioning units also an elevator uh shaft and and machine room but we will require one since again

I have kind of an an important question for you regarding construction and I think this is going to be in your court. My understanding is the second floor is going to be removed and you're going to basically rebuild a brand new second floor. Correct. Which means that there's got to be supports all over the place cuz the existing building wouldn't be in capable of that. Right. So the question question that I have can you explain the method that you're going to use to tear down construct maintain if you're going to maintain businesses and how we end up I'm I'm curious as to how you put it together.

Okay. Unfortunately that's you. No that's not me. That's not you. That's not me. And as a matter of fact, we did provide at a request of the mayor full structural set of plans. So that were provided a structural engineer or another architecture engineer. Just just saw the board goes uh when we were in front of the redevelopment agency, we had structural complete structural plans. Those issues were brought up. We had a soil test done. Uh, and we presented that testimony to the redevelopment agency.

I I think his question was more when it's done, how's that going to be managed, not No, I I'm I do think it's appropriate to discuss it here. I I don't need to see the structural drawings, but I'd like you to explain because this this is recorded. So, I people that have a question, including me, you start off with an old building. Then you're going to take out the top floor and the paracets and any mechanical equipment up there. And then you're going to rebuild from bottom up supports, steel beams or steel columns, I assume. No, no, not from bottom up. From the first floor up. Okay.

So, it's just the second floor that is getting renovated. And again, you already have framing in place right now. We we still we have a second floor. You go down the street now. You'll see there's a second floor. Yeah. So, you got to remove the brick. You're going to remove all the, you know, and the existing first floor walls will support what you're doing above. It is supporting it now. It will support it then. Yes.

Okay. And so, you're going to basically tear down the top floor. Are you maintaining the business? we we may maintain some of the items that are there before we start to again do the selected demolition. Okay. So we still want to maintain the building integrity in place to begin with. So you know the demolition will be selected. Okay. Let's take off the windows. Let's take off the brick. Okay. Let's keep the roof on top. We'll remove it later. Okay. And and you'll require, I assume, some blockage in the sidewalks or some overhead uh

I'm sure there will be. Yes, I'm I'm sure that a scaffold will be put up and prot like in New York City, you know, a cyborg scaffold would I'm trying to get what's here. I I you know, I want to see what you're going to do in Pumpkin Lakes and whether it's you or the owner or somebody else. Let let him finish the question. Yes, please let him finish it. I I want to see how you're going to address the construction of the building and if it's going to impact anything that this board is concerned about. And I think it's important that this board understands how this is going to take place. I mean, you showed us a pretty picture of what the building looks like. You see all the floor plans. That's all great. I want to know how you're going to do it. That's what it comes down to.

As I mentioned to you, I you know, I'm not sure which, you know, exactly how we're going to do it. Okay. I you know but you have a plan but we have plans plans that show us that we have to reinforce certain areas of the building. Okay. Okay. And uh we have to also build that those structural elements that are going to keep this building up. Now as far as the demolition is concerned as I mentioned to you it will be selective. It's not that you're going to come in and b wipe out okay the second floor all at once. will take it according to the schedule and how they're going to put it together,

you know, including the elevator that has to go down to the basement through the stores. So, all of that has to be probably managed. Okay, Mr. Chairman, maybe I can help you with the redevelopment side of it because I was at that meeting. What happened was they came to the board initially without the site plan proving that the building could hold the second floor. Mhm.

So, the redevelopment agency said, "We're requesting to see uh structural support through that." And they came back to the next meeting with that structural support proof that the building could hold the second story on it cuz the redevelopment agency was very concerned just like I think you guys are that maybe that can't hold the second floor. But there's their report came back and it was acceptable by the board at that time that they can build on that second floor. Now, what you're asking about how they're going to do it, we did not discuss the redevelopment. So that can be up to you. What are they doing?

Well, I'm I'm looking at, you know, it's a confined area in the sense that you have the building is right up to the sidewalk. It's right up to the adjacent building almost. Um I I want to make sure what we're doing is if we were to approve this that we're comfortable with the safety aspects of it, too. And so that's why I'm trying to find out, you know, how you like are you just going to wipe out the top or are you going to do pieces? Pieces is what you said. That's part of the solution. We select to sort of this we don't have to again disrupt also the retail activities that happen in there right the sidewalk activities of people walking by also all have to be coordinated properly okay you know

so it it's you know it's a serious project so redevelopment had this all worked out it would have been good for them to provide us with something to say just a structural one yeah we don't need to see structural elements, but the fact that it was developed with a study and it was approved and they came back in their defense, they did come back with a plan. Initially, they did not have one when it first came. They came back with a plan that showed that the support was there to build the second. Okay. The other question that came up in redevelopment, I'm sure it's going to come up here. This is a county road. They'll request any type of uh coverage for the county for sidewalks that doesn't come from the town. Whatever the county is going to require, they're going to have to identify and do.

And we'll stipulate to any and all conditions and it'll be subject to uh any conditions that your engineer may have. Yeah. And since it's on the sidewalks that you're which has got to be burrow property, I think it's zero foot, you're going to need agreement from the burrow, all construction, you know, times of construction, manner, all that. We have no problem with that. So, so that I'm clear too, we are expanding and I didn't mention it. We are expanding the second floor of the building in the back. Yeah, saw that. So that was Yeah, we over the atrium, right? And we also putting columns in the back to support

that expansion over. So, yes, I mean it's it's going to uh going to be an interesting construction process. I may not be around for that, but Okay. And anything else? Um, do you have any anything else you need to say, Gian? I'm going to show that uh we provided the elevations. Yes, I just saw that. Right. And uh the signs that we just uh right, we cover change. We cover all this and the windows are good. You've stated that they're are going to be suitable for fire escape. Okay. Any other questions for

Okay. Any members of the board? Well, let's ask the engineer and planner first if they have any questions for Mr. Entili. I think I know the answer to this. Um, but because I asked the engineer and I said I would ask you. Yes. Was there any consideration for green roof on the roof to help alleviate the coverage? There was no more no consideration whatsoever having discussed that with the client. Okay. And it's more in terms of maintenance and also that's usually an issue unfortunately that's the major issue but a cool roof yes it will be white APDN

and then in terms of the units that you have on the roof how high are they the air conditioning units will they be seen from the street no the parapit is about uh I believe 47 some inches, right? I'm sorry. 40ome inches was a power cut. I think it was Yeah, it's most 47 in. I agree. 47 in. So, yes, you will not see it from the street. No. And it must be located toward the inside part of the roof as opposed to close to the edge. Yeah. And the unit's only 30 in.

Thank you. That's okay. Um, so who's the atrium? Is that that serving the residents upstairs to some extent? It does too as a means of ingress. I'm just trying to basement. The basement. Yeah. Means of ingress from the basement. I understand. But does it also serving upstairs? No. Okay. No. No. Wait a minute. If somebody wants to come in from the atrium to go to the basement, go to the laundry room. I'm not talking about to go downstairs. I'm asking if the atrium goes upstairs.

Okay. Um I would also suggest that the board consider um so when a business has a front door on the street, let's say Main Street in a generic sense, um and a door on the parking lot. Um, it is not uncommon that a business evolves to discontinue use sometimes of the main street door which is detrimental to the corridor to the business district. I would suggest that the board may want to make a condition of approval that that um frontage um main main door for each business needs to remain at you know in use um in order to prevent the deadening of that street.

It is in use. Correct. She doesn't want she doesn't want anything like somebody closing up the door put packing things in front of it and saying use the bathroom. Exactly. I think we actually have an ordinance in place that they have to use the front door, but that have to check that I'm not sure that this is the one store we had. We'll let Andy look into it. If it's covered, it's covered. If it's not, it's a simple ad. Okay, that's all I got. Anything else? Any members of the board have questions for Mr. Intelli? I got one.

Yes, sir. First of all, I think, like I said before, I think it's a great looking project. you know, we know what it is, how it looks now, what you're planning on. Really, it's my job of how it's going to change. And look what couple things you might want to take into account. We're going through it now with the businesses. You're putting those trees in front of the signs. Okay? I'm getting complaints from businesses that they can't see the signs cuz the trees are blocking the signs from the street. So, either you got to make the trees higher or work with that because we're going to be taking some trees out right now that are having the same issues. They're blocking the sign. Sometimes I see what you put up there. The trees are right in front of the signage that you have in front of the stores. So you really can't if you look at them, you really can't see the sides from the street. So that's going to be a concern to the people going in there. You mentioned something about the bodega if you just want to cover that or somebody else is going to talk about that. I don't know. Um is that staying or not staying or

plus no can't be talking about. So then the other question is and I think the chairman touched on this. We have some established businesses there that are a long time. I'm sure the landlord I think he he had mentioned before he's going to give the first right to stay there. But is there a chance that we are going to be closing businesses to do this work that you're doing? Uh the landlord won't respond to that. Okay. I think there is a way to maintain the operation going during a construction process provided there are certain certain ways of protecting

those uh those establishment running that will not you know they have a roof over their head if they don't but still doing it and I think the owner will talk about that. All right, then the last question I had just to talk about this. Is it going to be a management group on the site? The owner. The owner again. Okay. So, I got Okay. Any other members of the board have questions?

Uh, I'll I'll go out of order and just with the things that I think of. I do have a bunch of questions written down. Uh, my first question is about I I love what you did with the the facade, the faces. I especially love what you did with the back face and how that can kind of create a more inviting presence, you know, from the retail to the side of the street and uh the retail to the back of the street as well as, you know, the other redevelopment project that we have around that area, the Lakeside residence. The only question that I have for now before I look through my notes is why did you I know you believe in switching up materials. you like the the different faces. That's all very well and good. Why did you decide on the color scheme and the the materials that you did? Um, again, just thinking how this suits the the rest of the town, the other redevelopment projects in the area.

I think we we we touched base with gar Andy, the last one, I'm sorry. Then was Andy Silverstein. Mr. Silverstein. We touch base on that to begin with. I was uh actually this is a little toned down. Let's put it this way. As far as design was more modernistic before, but they like the idea of having a diversity in the town as far as uh the the building designs and the building materials being used. Anyway, the color

I went around town and I looked at the new construction, the new residential buildings, the new school there. I think you're carrying on the same brick color throughout and this one here was just uh started as being different and uh and again, Mr. Silverstina was was more accommodating and more welcoming and modernist design that is atypical for what it's in the town. And again, if I look into the context of the town, it's very difficult to to find a building that one would say, you know, perhaps, you know, we should emulate this particular building or not. Just so you know, just so you know, that the development of this project went through the redevelopment agency.

Okay. Once they approve it, we don't get to change the appearance, the size of the building, things like that. We can talk about impacts or site plan, but we're we're more or less obl obligated to take the building as it was approved at the redevelopment agency. No, I I was going to say I know that we have limited jurisdiction on what we can vote on, but I did want to raise the question and see if that was discussed with the honor. We we agreed that keeping

the limestone front uh in the front of the building uh with the Washington on it and that's what we call this particular project the Washington keeping again. That's the only thing we kept in place. Okay. Uh the trees that you talked about for the signage, are those pre-existing trees or did you say that you had to plant some of them? Right. Some of them are new according to our landscaping plan provided by our civil engineer you talked about before. So that the shrubs, there is trees planting. Okay. And the renderings here reflect all of that verb.

Mhm. So, was there was there a reason that I don't know the ones in the back are pink trees, the ones that you see in the front are are different. Is there a reason why there's a difference in the trees? And do these trees match the existing in the It goes back it goes back to again to the redevelopment board. Okay.

Where they gave us they gave us a list of trees, planting everything else and it was also a discussion of what to use. So again verbetta we use what they recommended we changed the articulation of it. So if you look in the P say A B C D we went A B C A D C you know we changed the articulation again according to Collier's engineers and design during the redevelopment uh application

again just a curiosity I was wondering if it was discussed okay any other questions what yeah Are these renderings have they been submitted to the board as part of this application? I'm just wondering because how do we know when we're when it's being built that this let's say the similar materials or the similar look is being constructed? Like I I wouldn't have a way to reference that after the fact. renderings are beautiful and they're always submitted a brick sample and a sample of the Didn't they approve the screen to the redevelopment board? To the redevelopment board.

The redevelopment agency. The redevelopment agreement has the renderings attached. It does. That's and it's a requirement that they do in in compliance with I wasn't a part of that. Sorry. Perfect. Thank you. One thing that I forgot to ask. Can you speak to the balcony because it looks it looks very awkward. Um, and I'm wondering what what the reasoning was behind that. Uh, giving the bedrooms a window fire exit from the bedrooms. Fire ingress and also natural ventilation to two bedrooms. Oh, I'm not I'm not doubting why there would be a window there, but I'm speaking specifically to the balcony. Yeah,

if I could just I think was in place there in order to provide an extens windows windows. Would you not be able to have bedroom windows there if it was just a roof beneath it? You may need to put to cover that. You still have the balconies, right? Yeah. No, I'm No, I'm saying I don't understand wall. I mean it's already approved anyway by just be a wall. We can't see we can't we can't touch that. Yeah, of course you can. No, the building is fixed. The room sizes are fixed. Okay. Redevelopment provides us with the basic context.

No. What's what's the question? The the balcony that is in the middle of the building. All right. in in the rear. Um, why why is that a balcony space as opposed to just windows looking out onto a inset area? I think it's just being called a balcony. I don't think it's something where people are going to be walking out onto from those two apartments. Yeah, but they do have access. They do have access. Fixed. That's cool.

Not necessarily fixed. Things you got to understand. Is it true that they're not going to people are I think that's what you're trying to say. Is this a when you say balcony, can people go out there and hang out and have a barbecue or this is just a space that you can look out onto? You can go out. You can bring a chair out. You can bring a book. You can smoke a cigarette. Okay. Smoke up. So there's not just windows. There's there's doorway. I don't know. Let me see if I can What? Yeah. I think I just want to I think she just wants to clarify what is this problem.

Okay. So if you see you see bedroom this bedroom and these other bedroom they're equal one mirrors each other almost right and you coming into the kitchen area you have living well dining living and then you have the bath and I understand the floor plan. I'm questioning the desiraability of having that very long shared right next a budding space with two tenants. Well, yeah. As I mentioned, I needed to provide windows. But providing windows is different than providing doors, right? What do you mean by providing doors?

I mean, you have doors out onto a shared into a budding open space. That's not these are the doors. What is the divider down the middle? Do you see anything unappealing? Is it divided down the middle? Railing. Just confused about these. Is that a wall? No. Railing. Really? Balconies lead you to be able to charge. The access is only from those two units. From the building back. Let's one second. I had a question for the mayor. What was the question? I'm curious. Is that something? It's an intern. You can have minor deviation. So not having a rail in between it and the left

it would be my interpretation that changing those doors as long as it's the building is staying the same access to wouldn't be a major change. I don't think that was. So if this board decided and the applicant decided that having doors add on to that were not a good idea. It's my uh opinion knowing this and that can have some deviations it would not require the need to go back to the redevelopment. Yeah. Yep.

So, those two doors are strictly for the bedroom. I mean, for the units on either side of it, right? There's no other access. No outside, no other apartments. So, it's like a private balcony, I guess, for two units. Correct. I was I mean I my question was why why are they balconies and not just windows? provides value to the department, they can charge more for it. That's why because people like because

I understand people like balconies. I don't know if I I I would not like a balcony that is right against my neighbor for 30 ft, but I guess some people do. I I don't think, and I could be wrong, I don't think it changes the um whether or not this complies to the the redevelopment and the master plan. No, I could I could be thinking wrong. I can't understand. We're here to ask questions and that was my question. I wasn't questioning whether or not this has anything to do with the master plan.

No, you have my answer. is in order to provide windows a continuous windows for the you know the bedrooms bedroom one and each unit. I'm agreeing with the councilman in the fact that you know it's a it's a selling point about sit outside and have area for them. So if they don't want they don't rent it. Is that balcony connected to the staircase though? No, I didn't know cuz you mentioned it was an egress for the bedrooms. The window the windows the windows are the eress. So from the window in case of a fire, get out of the window,

go to the balcony and hopefully there will be a fireman at the end of the balcony. But it's a door, not a window, is it not? There's doors and windows. There's also doors in the bedroom itself. There's a window to this little balcony. But we have doors, too. So that if you're in the apartment, you want to go outside, you don't go through the window in the back, right? Correct. The door too. Yeah. I personally I don't see a problem with it. I you know, the the person that rents the space is going to have to decide whether or not they like that or not.

Yep. It's it's functional in its own sense, but I think it becomes a personal uh opinion depending on the person that's renting. Y if there is issues of privacy, you can always put some plants in front of grow some plants. Okay. Any other members of the board have questions? Thank you, Mr. Antilia. Thank you. Our next witness is Gabe Baylor, professional planner.

Please remain standing. Raise your right hand. State your name. Spell your last. Sure. Gabe Baylor. B A I L E R. Do you swear affirm the testimony you'll give this evening before this board will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help you got Bill, you're a licensed professional planner in the state of New Jersey. Is that correct? Yes, I've been licensed professional planner since 2007. I'm also member American certified planner since 2007. So 18 years. I've testified uh boards crossing Jersey some uh in the vicinity here include Wayne Ridgewood and Fairmont. Thank you. Thank you.

Uh Mr. Baylor, in preparation for tonight's meeting, have you reviewed the zoning ordinances in the burough optimum lakes?

Yes. And this um take a step back. This is in terms of the property. It's identified. It's located at 125 WQ Avenue and it's identified as block 3101 lot 4.01. As Mr. Beltree mentioned before, it was it was previously two different lots in terms of the resident or not residential, the commercial and office space and the parking lot, but it was combined to lot 4.01. In terms of where the property is located, it's in downtown Pmpton Lakes. Uh there's surrounding commercial uh on Wanuk and then as well there's several multif family developments surrounding the area. There's one to the east on Kfax Avenue. There's one to the south on Wanuku Avenue and there's one to the northeast off of Lakeside Avenue. So what we're proposing is uh consistent with the surrounding characteristics and as mentioned before this pro this proposed residential using the second floor is a permitted use in terms of where the property is located zoning w zoning wise it's under our opinion that it's in located in the downtown uh redevelopment area 1 A1. However, if it is considered a split zone, it does not impact the requested variances that we were requesting tonight. So, it is the same in terms of the DR1 zone. The purpose of that zone states that so there may be a provision in downtown Pmpton Lakes for capital investment in quality mixeduse properties including the provision of quality retail and residential opportunities as well as community facilities developed in concert with the pre-existing service businesses in downtown Pmpton Lakes. As

mentioned before, there's several variances related to this conversion of the upper floor to from office to eight residential units, one one bedroomedroom and seven twobedroom units. And in terms of the criteria there's al there's the C1 I'm sure the board is familiar the C1 which is the hardship as well as the C2 where the purposes of zoning advance and the benefits derived by the variance we outweigh any detriments as well. I also have to prove the negative criteria where the variances can be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and where it will not substantially impair the intent and purpose of the zone plan and zoning ordinance. uh in my opinion the variances are meet the the criteria the C2 criteria the first one is the maximum impervious coverage what is maximum per is 85% what is existing is 100% however what's proposed is 96 96.7% so we're reducing that existing non-conforming condition and reducing by 3.3% by adding some new landscaping surrounding ing the parking lot as well. The variance is required for minimum side yard setback. This is existing condition. Uh a minimum 10 ft is required and this what's existing is 0.3 ft. So there's no change in that. That is existing condition. In terms of the location of parking, as mentioned before by our engineer, this is a corner lot. So it has multiple front yards. So the parking is off of CFAs. And based on the opinion that this is in the front yard, this is an existing condition. It's not being changed. Uh so we require variance for that. In terms of parking with the new proposed eight residential units and

the ground floor commercial, a total of 65 parking spaces are required. Uh we are now going to be providing 20 physical parking spaces. We're not using loading area as as a flexible parking space. Uh so we're providing proposing 20 parking spaces and two EV parking spaces. So that gives us a credit of 22 parking spaces where 65 are required. But however, as testified before and mentioned, based on the existing conditions of the ground floor commercial and the office space, that would require 78 parking spaces. So, what we're actually proposing is reducing the existing non-conforming condition by 13 parking spaces. In terms of the parking layout, as mentioned before during testimony, that each of the new 8bedroom apartments will have two parking spaces each. They'll be assigned to it. Uh I believe the hours testify will be reserved from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. That could be changed, that could be flexible, but there will be signage related to these these new residential units that will be reserved parking for these units. Uh there is signage uh being proposed. It is our opinion that no variance is required. However, uh if it is determined that a variance is required, we'll amend it anyway. So we'll provide signage that would be variancef free. In terms of the loading area, previously there was no loading area. uh the applicant understanding uh the need for a loading area based on the ground for commercial uses and the layout of Guanu Avenue uh is now providing a loading area uh off of Kfax

Avenue. A variance is required for that because it's located as mentioned in the front yard since it is considered a a corner lot has multiple sideyards and as well there's a variance uh provided for loading uh loading setback where 25 ft is required but 3 ft is proposed but as mentioned there was no floating area previously. So this is something new that will help the layout of the building support the ground for commercials and will have will hopefully will not have any impact on the flow of WQ Avenue. In terms of the positive criteria with the municipal land use law, I feel that this project supports purpose aur municipal action guide the appropriate use of development of all lands in the state and manner which will promote the public health, safety, moral and general welfare. What we're providing is new residential opportunities that is consistent with the surrounding multif new multif family developments being built in downtown Pmpton Lakes. Uh and also supporting the surrounding businesses by having new residential uh residents in this area to support the downtown business as well. I think this uh this project supports purpose C to provide adequate light air and open space. We're not going to have any any impact on the surrounding area light of the surrounding properties. This will be a new aesthetically pleasing uh design as testified by the architect. We'll have a new facade. Will complement the surrounding area. We'll add character to the surrounding area of this historic building. is kind of retrofitting retrofitting the historic nature of the building and building giving new light to it as well. I feel that this project also is uh supports uh purpose E to

promote the establish and appropriate population densities and concentrations that will contribute to the well-being of purpose persons, neighborhoods, communities and environment. As testified previously, this this new residential development is within downtown Pmpton Lakes supports the surrounding businesses and complements existing character and the redevelopment efforts of downtown Pton Lakes. As well in terms of the master plan, this project meets several goals of the 2017 master plan re-examination uh within the goal of downtown revitalization. Uh the goal is revitalize a downtown business district with marketdriven redevelopment initiatives that foster private development as well create a new character for the downtown that capitalizes on unique topography waterfront location and mass transit access as well encourage the development of mixeduse buildings that contain street level retail with office or residentials on the upper floors. and as well maintain enhance existing downtown business space and encourage a mix of uses to provide employment, smallcale retail services, eeries and entertainment. Is my opinion that this project supports all those goals mentioned within the 2007 master plan as well as my opinion this project will have no negative criteria. Uh these variances are all basically existing conditions. They're not being exasperated. they're actually two of them are actually being reduced. Uh and as well, you know, in terms of my opinion, there will be no impact on the purposes of the Pmpton Lakes master plan or zoning ordinance and this project in my opinion and reviewing and going to the site and looking around Lakes is consistent with the character and support of course the overall vision of downtown redevelopment.

Thank you. I have no further questions. Uh, let me hear from our planner or engineer first. I have no questions. Okay. Any board members have questions of the planner? Okay. Well, it sounds like, you know, you did your homework and you've you've identified the fact that it satisfies the requirements for a project like this. So, uh, we thank you for that. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks. One more witness. Is that the owner?

Joseph Santo, one of the owners, member of the the LLC. Um, I can probably address this one. You know, the redevelopment agreement has certain requirements that have to be in this. One is compliance with the burrow's affordable housing obligation. Have you had any discussion with try out how many units that Yes, I I did. I I shared an email uh with Cap Captain I don't want to mispronounce her name. I didn't I just didn't see it, but as long as you've had those discussions so far, she indicated that there would be one unit and we're going to designate the the uh one bed unit for affordable housing. Okay. Is it so is she saying the co obligation was only one? Is that what we're saying?

That's what we're saying. It has to be in writing and triad has to confirm that. That's part of the requirement. It's going to be a condition in here and it's a condition that um it has to be confirmed in writing by the burrows consultant. Joseph Santo. Oh yeah. Please stand. Raise your right hand. State your name. Spell your last. Joseph Santoro. S A N T O R O. Do you please remain standing? Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're going to give this evening before this board will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, help you got Yes.

Proceed. Uh Joe, you are a member of the LLC, that is the applicant, and also the owner of the property. You heard some uh questions before about construction and how you're going to be handling the existing tenants. Yes. on the first floor. Explain to the board what you envision happening. Well, I did hear somebody say something about the corner bodega was that they were leaving. So, one of your guys said,

"Yeah, they I definitely do not want any of my tenants to leave. Um, I want them to remain during construction, but um, there may be one that may have to go because, you know, if you can see the plans, there is a staircase. I don't want it to happen, but at the same time, they do need their own renovation, if that makes sense. And if they're not willing to comply, um, I don't want a risk or a liability at the same time. Um, but everyone I want to remain, you know, obviously I do have fairly new tenants. They all have leases. So, yeah. Uh, does anybody have any questions on that?

Any other questions, Mr. Well, was the construction procedures you, so you intend not only to keep the tenants, but to keep them during the construction, correct? Okay. Board members have any questions of Mr. Santor? One question about the reevelopment. I'll bring it up here so you guys have the same advantage. The question came up while construction is going on, how would the retail staff have use of bathrooms if they had to close down a bathroom for example to do the work. Um, and I may want to address that. Uh, is this for the retail?

So, uh, I think the corner the bodega they are actually up to code. I believe they just renovated the store, so they're ADA. Um, I'm sure some stores will be willing to work with other stores if their bathroom has to get renovated um and closed. Um, yeah. And then I just had the one question I don't know if you're going to ask it. Uh, do you plan on having I just want to know on the record, do we have a management team on this or how is this for as far as who you going to manage the property? Uh yeah. Uh we are so you'll have some not on site obviously. Is someone on site? No, not living on site. No. All right. So our Well, you never know.

Well, I have the concern is that you want to keep the numbers of people living in the apartments to the numbers of bedrooms that you have, right? You don't want to overcrowd any of these. I don't want to have to have inspectors going in to check that. I'm leaving on the management or whoever is doing that to be on top of that to make sure that does not happen. So, just, you know, that's, you know, you got new apartments, you got new buildings, you want them to see. Yes. Of course. Yes. Do do you have any idea how much of the parking lot in the back is going to be uh occupied by supplies, construction equipment, and so forth during the uh act construction since

I mean I'm I'm going to give you a number right now. It's probably going to be 50%. That would be comfortable with the contractor and you know myself as well. It's not unreasonable actually considering what you're doing. Yeah. So the retail you have six units correct six on the first floor. You have the large one on the one end and then one two three four five that as you go north you have uh five more. Um there's a couple empty right now. Uh yeah there's one one that's the bigger one with five. Yeah.

Okay. and six, the new stairway. That's the one you were talking about that you're adding a stairway. Uh, yes. And that's still negotiating when when the time comes. Yes. If they're willing to comply.

Um, I like the building. I mean, I think you know, your team has come up with some good u good plans for this. Um, Washington building has a lot of history in town. So, yes, I he didn't show you the old I had another picture that I actually added to a drop uh box. It's one of the oldest photos that I've seen. You guys don't even have it really. We're talking Yeah. back in the day. We have it hanging in the in the room right here. No, I think I might have one older than uh Yeah, we'll take a look at that one when we're done if you want. I'll check it out. But yeah, it's it's crazy for the Historical Commission. Yeah, I could always Yeah,

the other question just again to put it on record cuz he wasn't here about the pets. Oh, yeah. I I I I was going to not bring it up because some people are, you know, pet lovers. I like pets, too, but I don't uh usually like tenants that have pets because they damage and you know, you can't take a deposit for them either. So, tell me about the retail in the basement. So, there's a retail under where Jimmy the shoe doctor was, which is uh the where the bodega is now. We're calling it the bodega. The food store. Yeah, the food store. Um and uh yeah, he used to take up I think more than half the uh basement.

So what is your intention for the retailed in the basement? I think are we calling it retail or retail office? Retail. I think it's not retail office. Retail. It's retail. Retail. Okay. The concern I have is um retail means most cases people are going to visit. Yeah.

And your foot traffic um it's kind of an awkward situation to get in there down and into the basement as retail as compared to if it was a uh let's say a Wi-Fi business where you basically do everything online. Um, and then I'd be concerned about, and I know we have two exits, so that's that's okay. But is there any other use you could see using for the retail? I mean, I mean, office,

does it does it affect anything um in your building? Uh the office would use uh how many do you remember how many spots were assigned to that office? It's all calculated. It was already calculated in the engine as office. Yeah. No, I'm saying uh as retail for retail. Yeah. So he already did that with the bargain calculations. He included that. Okay. Is is it are you opposed to not using it for retail if it was better use? Um well, what's a better use?

An office or something that doesn't require foot traffic. That's what I was trying. And I'm not saying you have to do that because you know you're insertly entitled to that. I'm just wondering if uh it's certainly something I could think about. We could think about it. I have to discuss with my family. I'm not asking for it to be a condition. I'm I'm just saying, you know, from a practical point of view. I mean, I think me personally, and I I speak for myself, you know, I obviously have to talk to my brother and my sister. I'm open to office. Um I don't think there's anything else really.

No, only servers down there and start mining Bitcoin or something. There you go. Okay. Anyone else have any questions for Mr. Santoro? How how many square feet is that space, by the way? The basement. The basement. The Well, cuz he has the gym and the storage and things like that. How How big's the retail? Uh the basement retail. The basement retail that we were just talking about. Uh 1694 1,69.

Are we still on that question or are we open to other questions?

I know construction was a concern and that we brought it up earlier with the engineer and the architect. as the owner, do you have any any other additional, you know, comments to put this board at ease with the logistics of the construction? Anything kind of open comments? You know, what your what your plans are for the construction? Anything in that vein? Um, as far as construction goes, I think we're all trying to do it as safely as possible. And it would be something that I would have to obviously discuss and map out with the contractor and obviously it's like building a home. You would start from the foundation up and then, you know, we go on the outside, protect everything, put the scaffolding up. um if if that's what you're asking, you know, and then usually I don't know, in that case, we would build the shell underneath the existing roof and then when it's time, you blow it out and put it in. I don't know. I'm just saying from experience.

Well, it's got to go through the code official side. Yeah. Safety code. And you know, we the building department will take over once this hearing is done. If it should be approved, then the next thing to do is to get the plans formalized and sent to uh building department. Do you have kind of an idea when you'd like to work on this? Roughly. Uh as soon as possible within the next year. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Do you have an idea of uh timeline for how long you think a project like this would take?

Not that it depends. Our approval depends on it. Just curiosity. I'm going to say two years. I don't know. I could just shoot that out. It could be less, could be more. Yeah. Okay. And one last question just about the gym cuz we all we all Yeah. So the gym has membership that comes in and out, right? Where are they parking now? Are they parking? Well, the gym is not there any no longer. This gym still there? No, they left. This empty space that somebody brought up before the front door cuz I get calls about the other gym. Yeah, we don't know what's going to be there yet. Yes, the gym. That's what I'm saying. You have a gym downstairs. It depends, right?

Well, that's it. It it is on paper. It's if I actually want to do it from a liability standpoint, I don't think I'm going to put a gym to be honest with you. I'm just being honest. How about a town swimming pool? Can we get you to do that? Can you fit 20 spots in the basement? It sounds good, but then once someone throws a weight on their foot and Yeah. Okay. Well, whatever you do down there once um if this gets approved, you know, you're locked into certain things, so you Oh, yeah. Of course. You can't add something that is not compatible. Yeah, of course. You know, so you'd have to come back for something if you needed to. Agreed.

Yeah, of course. Okay. Anyone? Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Joe. Thanks. Does that complete your testimony? It does. Okay. At this time, I'd like to open the meeting for public comment. Is there anyone from the audience that would like to ask any questions of the applicants professionals? Seeing none, close the public comment session. Thank you, Mr. Beltry. It's all yours, sir.

Yeah. Ju very briefly, um we're making proposed changes and improvements which we think benefit the community, the surrounding property owners, and obviously modernizes and improves our building. Uh we've tried to hit all the bases in town through the redevelopment agency to this board. We're going to comply with all of the conditions imposed by Mr. Brewer that we stipulated to uh cooperate with your professionals and your building department. And we hope that uh this application is approved and we can continue to have a Washington building that thrives in town for the future.

Thank you. Uh, does anyone have any other questions before we go further? Professionals, you're good with so far. Okay. All right. I'm going to open up the meeting once more to anyone in the public who wishes to make a statement. Seeing none, we'll close that. So, board, it's time for deliberation. I'd like to hear comments or opinions on the project and or a motion uh as to what your preferences are. I'll make a motion to approve application PB2504. We have a second. Second. Second, Mr. B.

Okay. With that said, um we know we have conditions. You're going to include those in a uh resolution.

Yep. It be preliminary and final with the variances. It's got the application as amended because you amended it to take out the bearances for the sign, but it's to be preliminary and final as amended along subject to all the conditions that were tonight. I can read a few that I stored, but just so you know, uh they're going to put in a seepage pit rather than direct connection to the inlet. Um um they're the condition that they will uh require that the garbage hauler have a smaller than the normal 35 ft truck to be reviewed and the requirement to be reviewed and approved by the board engineer. Um the there'll be uh the leases uh will have a no pets condition. Um they'll comply with all the fire department requirements. uh comply with any MUA requirements. Um signage you need some type of developers agreement with the burrow on construction use of the sidewalks and those related issues. Um condition that they'll always have the doors available and open on the Wanuk Avenue can't close them. uh they're going to comply with the affordable housing obligation as set forth in the redevelopment agreement and that those are the conditions and anything else that's in the record but those are the ones I have.

You're okay with all that, right? That's accurate. Okay. Anyone else have any comments?

Uh I know we already have I I just wanted to get a thesis before we we go to a vote. It seems like we're mostly supportive, but just in case I just wanted to say that uh very good presentation. Thank you to you. Thank you to all the professionals for for doing this for us today. Um, and I just wanted to say that based on your application, we think that I think that it is a project that we should approve. Uh, just going off of a couple things that I thought of. This is a, you know, a critical use. This is a high, you know, high foot traffic pivotal spot in town that we are looking to improve upon in a historic building. uh it fulfills the redevelopment goals and the goals that you know we have for the planning board. That seems fine with me. I see that you've done a lot of effort in you know creative use in improving the facility uh in making the spaces as nice as possible making it architecturally nice as well as you know working with the aesthetic of the town. You've got been more than willing to work with the board and the redevelopment agency. Uh and it seems finally like the variances seem relatively minor and it seems that we are reducing the preconditioning pre-existing conditions and making incremental gains towards the goals that we want in town. There are problems that we've addressed uh such as the garbage uh the parking the construction. However, I think that these are nothing that we cannot work through and that as a whole, the application is still, you know, sound for the planning board based on what we are allowed to vote on and what we are not.

Thank you. Can we have a roll call? Anyone else? We have a roll call vote, please. Yes. Mr. Simone, yes. Mr. Otto, yes. Dr. Pendster, yes. Mr. Bobi, yes. Mayor Sarah, yes. Councilman Quinn, yes. And Mr. BSMA, yes. And Mr. Foster, yes. Thank you very much. Thanks for presentation. I wish you good luck with the project. Thanks for coming to Compton.

Tom's good seeing you again. Johnny, it's good seeing you again. Congratulations on your retirement. Congratulations.

Good seeing you again. You're welcome. Thank you guys. Yes, the meeting the meeting is still going. Congratulations. Tell them I said hello. Busy making. Yeah, of course. Thank you. You'll be done really quick. We just got to talk about this and the resolution. Oh, yeah. The resolution. Um, that blue one. Yeah. Tiana, don't forget your blue uh Okay. And the computer somewhere.

Resolution. Okay. We have a resolution that we have to vote on regarding preliminary and final major site plan approval and variances for 714 to 720 Hamburg turnpike block 901 lot 11. Um we have a substantial length um resolution by Mr. Brewer. Anything in particular you want to comment on?

No, I think I got all the conditions. Um you know they have the affordable housing, they have the fence that'll be a little extra high. um you know you give the variance to give shielding and it was you know really the presentation um with the conditions that were stated on the record and final site plan they were they this was along on Hamburg turnpike um they they went down from 10 units down to eight um they're going to change the parking you no longer going to have through you know parking uh the uh driveway access in the back being cut off because of uh the replacement of the garbage dumpster. Um, but other than that, it was as presented.

Very good. Uh, we need a roll call vote on that, please. Is there a motion to approve it? Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you. Motion to approve the resolution. I, Mr. B's motion. What do I say? I say first or I say I. Motion. Resolution. Approve. Resolution number. It's uh for application PB2501. And I need a second. Second. Second. Okay. I have a motion in the second. Any discussion on the motion? All in favor? No. No. Vocal. Vocal. Uh, Mr. Simone. Yes. Mr. Otto, present. Mr. Dr. Pender, present.

Mr. Bulby, reluctantly, yes. Mayor Sarah, yes. Councilman Quinn, yes. Mr. BMA, yes. Yes. And Mr. Foster. Yes. Thank you. You guys were all here for that, right? Yes. Okay. Good.

All right. The last item on the agenda is a discussion of a township of Wayne uh ordinance that they have prepared which which we have um discussed here briefly before and it has to do with um land development Wayne and it has to do with uh recommended changes structures and uses and also another one on um requirements for site development where you have to uh come up with pictures, uh, dated photographs, um, depending on what's going on on the application. We're not here to actually approve anything. We're just here to discuss it. Um, but the advantages of the photographs are are substantial because not always do we see exactly what's going on with these projects. Um, I think it is a good idea to have photographs presented to us and the their rationale is was dated April 16, 2025. And for example, they want dated photographs for depending on the kind of application showing the property, the front of the property, the many street, the proximity of adjacent properties, uh, work location. it it's a substantial number of photographs indicating that you know we get to see um the property even though we may have been there ourselves these will be part of the record. Um and the other one uh talks about repairs and maintenance work required to keep a structure in sound condition. Um I I think you're just looking for a kind of a suggestion from us that it's okay to do these. I mean we can't do them obviously there ordinance going to come

from you guys. But does anyone see any negatives to having these two types of um proposals for for the council? Well, it's cost it's a cost involvement, right? So they got to do whatever they got to do to make that happen. Well, that but the timing of when you do that is your call and the fact that we would recommend for example that you do consider it. It's a um it's a recommendation. It's just a No, no, you're making a recommendation. Yeah. So, we're not binding you on anything at this point. No, not cost to us. I'm talking about cost to person.

Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. Yeah, there's a cost to make the resolutions and stuff but or the ordinances but uh yeah, it it is a cost to take pictures but you know um in construction also we always required uh pre-construction photographs of projects that we designed because there's always the person who comes up and says that big crack in my wall over there happened because you guys did it and then you go to the photograph and you find it's been that way for 20 years. So these photographs would help us make a decision, but it would also serve kind of as a record of conditions prior to the construction of whatever they're doing. Have you guys come across that, you know, a recommendation for that?

Um, in the context of the letter you got from Wayne, I'm not quite sure the context of them sending you that, but um, is that they gave it to us because they they're required to notify a draft draft ordinance and win. Yeah. So, it's what they're going to do

in the in the situation where a contractor is, let's say, drilling piles or or, you know, installing piles, I would say preconstruction photos are a must, especially for your own infrastructure, not just for adjacent properties. Um, with a project like this, for instance, that was presented today, I wouldn't consider it necessary. Well, these are pre-construction more, but more importantly, they're pre approval. They're for the board, like on a checklist item to have photographs for the board to be familiar with what everything looks like. So, when they're presented to us as a board member, we can see it. I use the construction example as a way that you can tell whether something was right or changed. Sure.

But basically speaking, it's it's to for us to use. Now, I've done a lot of work on the private side or we've always submitted pictures as part of our applications. Yeah. I've seen towns that the checklist, the submission checklist requires site photographs. Mhm. Yeah. Okay. So, would the board be, you know, cons would consider just sending a recommendation to the council that they consider these? Sure. Skin off my back. Big pictures are always helpful. Absolutely. Okay. So, we could uh just send a consent. Would that be as part of the application or would or or just like the presentation in front of the board? Well, it would ultimately be part of the application. It would be a requirement on the checklist. Would there be

satisfy that just for the presentation to the board? The issue with that is there's never it's not a requirement. Um you'd have to put it in somewhere like the information that it's in the checklist is typically what they have to do. You could ask for it um but you're asking for it at that point. That's that's that's the difficulty. Or or they could ask that that cannot be provided if it's a simple project for Well, that's what I was trying to get at, right? If it's a simple that's where the distinction is. If there's a simple and that's something we'll talk about on our if it's a simple home project only requiring all the steps for that, you know, I agree with filings and all that. Of course, you won't do that. But someone's putting addition on their house. Are we looking at that? Well, a checklist item can always be granted a waiver.

Yes. Okay. And and it's very simple to get a waiver. They just put it right in the application. Yeah. On the checklist there's I don't remember how common like checklist is, but usually it'll be like submitted, not submitted, waiver requested. And if it's something obvious like what you're saying, any any board with common sense would say that makes sense. Who can make that? The board would make that. Well, thank you. We could we could we would call it out in our completeness review and then when it came to the board we could say um they asked for x y and z w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w and we think that that's I think I don't want to add another meeting to No, no, no, no, no. It doesn't need to be another meeting.

Yeah. Okay. No. Was there a number of photos or a number of angles that were Yeah, they had a list here where depending on the kind of uh project, for example, they had um there's one here for preliminary and final major site plan. Uh another one for a use variance and they want dated photographs showing and then they list the things they want to show. So each each type of application had a requirement of photographs that were kind of related to the detail the detail of that project and yeah they could ask for the um waiver or not. I mean

would that be that would be up to the board to decide which that'd be how the ordinance is granted the ordinance ultimately. Yes. And that that's why they said that would be based to get a recommendation uh on whether or not it should be granted and then we can decide. And I'll tell you where it came to effect with this board. Meridian again we learned things when we first put the project in. We did not require that and a lot of the establishments around including us including this town hall made some suggestions that some cracks came in from a little pilot driving that they were doing that we didn't require. So I see there it's a definitely piece that's happened to protect us. I mean to tell you you know if you guys remember the sink holes we had in the back here. Oh yeah.

A lot of that was blamed on the construction that was done when they put this in. We couldn't prove that or anything but that was what the target was. Okay. So are we uh in agreement then as a straw poll so to speak to say that this is something we should tell the council they should consider adding? Sure. Yeah. We don't need to do more than that. Right. Do we need to vote? Okay. And then can you just Susan uh send a note saying that the board review the two ordinances from Wayne and we would recommend that the council consider the checklist adding something similar out to our um uh checklist. Sure.

Can I just make another note that your next meeting is what? November 18th. Yeah. Uh that's the lead. So, you're going to you're going to give it up and stay here. So, you guys are going to give that up and stay here and stay just stare at you. What? You know, our professionals are so great. I got to tell you, I'll go on your place. Okay. Anyone else have anything else on the agenda? Anything else you want to bring up? If not, I'll take a motion to adjurnn. Motion. Second. Wait, hold on. Second. Motion. Obie and uh Brian. Wait, what we do? It was all of us. Oh,

I think we all I think we all said second at the same time. So third as well. Done. Hit the gavix. Done. That was good. Wow. Andy actually loved that. I