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. 

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

A motion to approve the minutes from the January 28, 2019 meeting as amended was made by Ms. Loughman, seconded by Mr. Gilmer and approved unanimously.  A motion to approve the minutes from the February 11, 2019 meeting as amended was made by Ms. Loughman, seconded by Mr. Gilmer and approved unanimously.  A motion to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2019 meeting was made by Ms. Loughman, seconded by Mr. Gilmer and approved unanimously.

Chair Wynn noted that Application 2605:  Bellaire House Condo Association has been postponed to the April 8 meeting.

Ms. Talley summarized the referral from the Council and stated that Michael Dannemiller, a representative from NV5, the Board’s Traffic Engineer, has reviewed the proposed ordinance.  Mr. Dannemiller summarized the recommendation in a letter from NV5 dated March 13, 2019 which recommended that the proposed restriction on turning movements not apply to northbound vehicles, as traffic volumes at peak times will not create a problem for cars making left turns into the new driveway. The report recommended that the prohibition on left turns apply to southbound traffic and that conditions be evaluated after construction is completed to see if a left turn prohibition is warranted for northbound traffic.

The Board discussed the proposed ordinance.  A motion was made by Chair Wynn recommending that based on the traffic studies provided as part of the Lackawanna Plaza site plan review and the separate report prepared by NV5, the prohibition of left turns on Grove Street should apply only to southbound traffic and that the Township should monitor traffic conditions after construction is completed to determine if a left turn prohibition for northbound traffic is warranted.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Loughman and approved unanimously with Councilor Schlager abstaining.

Application 2611:   Celine Choice – 5 Pierpont Drive. (Block 3904, Lot 76.02)

Celine Choice presented the application.  Mrs. Choice stated that she is the owner of the single-family home located at 5 Pierpont Drive.  Her husband has recently passed away and she wants to create the accessory dwelling unit in the attached garage for herself so that her son, Wally Choice, and his family can live in the rest of the house.  She stated that the layout of the accessory apartment is preferable to her because it is all on one level.

The Board questioned the applicant about parking on the property.  Mrs. Choice stated that parking for two cars will be provided in a new driveway located on the east side of the house.  Ms. Choice stated that she will meet all the requirements in the ordinance, including the recorded deed restriction.

The hearing was opened to the public.  Two members of the public spoke in support of the application, noting that this a good opportunity for a senior citizen to remain in Montclair.

A motion to approve the application was made by Mr. Schwartz, seconded by Ms. Loughman and approved unanimously.

Payment of Bills

A motion to pay bills except for the March 11 bill from Davidson, Eastman, Munoz, Lederman and Paone was made by Chair Wynn, seconded by Mr. Rooney and approved unanimously.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.