City of Montclair Township

Chair Wynn called the meeting to order at 7:35 pm and announced that the meeting has been properly noticed in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act and that the meeting is being recorded and can be viewed on the Township website or on Channel 34. 

Roll Call

Chair Wynn, Vice Chair Brodock, Councilor Schlager, Mr. Cook, Mr. Rooney, Ms. Willis, Mr. Ianuale, Ms. Loughman, Mr. Barr and Mr. Gilmer were present.   Mr. Schwartz was excused.  Board Attorney Arthur Neiss and Planning Director Janice Talley were also present. 

Approval of the minutes from the January 28, 2019 meeting was tabled to the March 11 meeting.

Application 2566:  59 Glenridge Avenue, LLC – 59-61 Glenridge Avenue (Block 4210, Lot 23).  Minor site plan to add 2^nd floor and two one-bedroom apartments

Chair Wynn noted that this application has been carried to the April 8, 2019 meeting at the request of the applicant.

Ms. Talley summarized the ordinance and stated that the Redevelopment Subcommittee had met to discuss the proposed changes in the Redevelopment Plan.  Ms. Loughman and Chair Wynn, both members of the Redevelopment Subcommittee, summarized the Subcommittee’s comments on the redevelopment plan as follows:

• The massing of the building as proposed in the redevelopment plan is inconsistent with the character of the properties west of the site, which are institutional uses with additional open space and front yards.It is important that the building be setback from the streetline to create an attractive transition from the activity of the downtown to the more open feel of the houses of worship to the west.
• A residential building is preferred to a mixed-use building as they are concerned that the proposed 15-foot front yard setback would create a problem in activating the street for commercial use.
• The massing of the building is a concern as it will create an imposing presence on the street. Increased setbacks and stepbacks are proposed to reduce the massing.
• The 20% affordable housing set aside should be maintained.

The Board discussed the Subcommittee’s comments and recommended that the report to the Council include the following:

• A minimum front yard setback requirement of 15 feet should be provided.
• A minimum rear yard setback requirement of 15 feet should be provided.
• A minimum stepback above the 3^rd floor of 10 feet on all building facades should be provided.
• The minimum affordable housing set aside should be 20 percent.
• The permitted uses for the Church Street site should be expanded to include a multi-family residential building with no mixed-use requirement.

Ms. Talley noted that a letter was submitted to the Board from the Housing Commission maintaining their support for a 20 percent affordable housing set aside.  Ms. Talley stated that she would prepare a letter with the Board’s recommendation for review by the subcommittee prior to sending it to the Council.  Ms. Loughman stated that she will provide language indicating how the proposed amendments to the Plan introduced by the Council are not consistent with the Master Plan.  A motion to approve the recommendations as stated was made by Chair Wynn, seconded by Vice Chair Brodock and approved unanimously with Councilor Schlager abstaining.

Ms. Talley stated that the Department of Community Services is preparing a Green Acres grant for improvements to Nishuane Park, Essex Park and Mountainside Park and is requesting a letter of support from the Planning Board indicating that the proposed improvements are consistent with the Master Plan.  The Board noted that recent improvements to Edgemont Park and Canterbury Park were poorly constructed.  They stated that the improvements are consistent with the Master Plan but requested that in the future the Department of Community Services provide more information about the projects and the amount of funding so that the Board can more fully consider the proposal.

A motion to approve the letter of support was made by Ms. Loughman, seconded by Councilor Schlager and approved unanimously. 

Payment of Bills

A motion to pay bills was made by Vice Chair Brodock, seconded by Chair Wynn and approved unanimously.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 pm.