Minutes August 10, 2022

 

VERNON TOWNSHIP LAND USE BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

August 10, 2022

 

Call to Order

Meeting was called to order by Chairman Theobald at 7:00 p.m.

Statement of Compliance:

Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this Regular Meeting has been provided to the public and the press on January 17, 2022, by delivering to the press such notice and posting same at the Municipal Building.

Salute to the Flag

Chairman Theobald led the Assemblage to the Flag.

Roll Call

 

Mayor’s Designee John Auberger	P
Craig Williams	P
Councilmember Brian Lynch	NP
Martin Theobald	P
Richard Spoerl	NP
Willard McPeek	P
Andrea Cocula	P
Michael Whitaker	P

Jacquelin Haley	P
Kelly Mitchell Alternate #1	NP
Joseph Tadrick   Alternate #2	NP
Paul Mele Alternate #3	P

Mark Vizzini Alternate #4

NP

                                                                                              

Also Present:

Glenn Kienz, Board Attorney

Alison Kopsco, Board Planner

Kimberley Decker, Board Secretary

Chairman Theobald stated Members Vizzini, Tadrick, Spoerl, Mitchell and Council Member Lynch notified the Board of their absence.

Attorney Kienz acknowledged Planner Associate from J. Caldwell & Associates, Alison Kopsco, who was then sworn in for Board Planner services.

 

Public Hearings

LU# 6-22-7 – Andrew Pilgrim – Block 448, Lot 23, - Bulk Variance for a Proposed Covered Front Porch within the Front Yard Setback

Andrew Pilgrim came forward as applicant and was sworn in to testify for request of bulk variance for a proposed covered front porch for 5 Susan Valley Terrace.  Mr. Pilgrim explained existing house and steps were built two feet over allowable setback line of 50 ft. giving him two options of removing steps or requesting a variance.  He added the application requests proposed steps with covered portico to be built at 40 ft, setback line improving the aesthetics of the structure with no detriment to the neighborhood. 

Board Member questioned when house was constructed.  Mr. Pilgrim explained the house was still in final stages of being built when he bought the house last year.  He explained that only few days before closing is when the issue of existing stairs being built 2 ft over setback line was discovered. Mr. Pilgrim decided to come before Board with request of variance other than removing the steps altogether.

Board Planner Kopsco noted applicant presented testimony showing benefits and that variance will not cause substantial detriment to public good.

Chairman Theobald opened the hearing to the Public.  Seeing no one wishing to come forward, Chairman Theobald closed the meeting to the public.

Motion: Motion to Approve LU#6-22-7 was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Williams.

 

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; WILLIAMS: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MELE: Y; THEOBALD: Y.

Motion Passed.

Mr. Pilgrim requested to waive receipt of written resolution in order to start construction immediately.  Board Members approved waiver by unanimous vote. 

 

Public Participation

Chairman Theobald opened the Meeting to the Public.  Seeing no one wishing to come forward Chairman Theobald closed the Meeting to the Public. 

 

Resolutions

ZB# 4-06-6 – Glenwood Management, LP – Block 521, Lot 10, - Request for Extension of Time of Preliminary and Final Site Plan with Variances

Eligible to vote: Auberger, Williams, Lynch, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, Mitchell, Mele

Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution ZB# 4-06-6 was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Auberger.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; WILLIAMS: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MELE: Abstain.

Motion Passed.

LU# 6-22-6 – John Kelly & Joseph Grieco– Block 14, Lot 28, - Front Yard Variance for a Proposed Single-Family Dwelling

Eligible to vote: Auberger, Williams, Lynch, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, Mitchell, Mele

Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution LU# 6-22-6 was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Mele.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; WILLIAMS: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MELE: Y.

Motion Passed.

            

Minutes

• July 13, 2022 – Regular Meeting Minutes (Auberger, Williams, Lynch, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, Mitchell, Mele)

Motion: Motion to Approve Regular Minutes of July 13, 2022 was made by Mr. Williams and was seconded by Mr. Auberger.  Eligible Board Members were All in Favor.

Motion Passed.

Appendix A – escrows, board fees, bond reductions and escrow closure

 

   escrows, board fees and bond reductions

 A. Board Fees

    1. Board Attorney – Glenn Kienz, Weiner Law Group LLP

• Land Use Board Business – Services Through 6/8/22 ($400.00)

• Martin Theobald – LU# 12-19-10– Services Through 6/16/22 ($182.50)
• John Kelly – LU# 6-22-6 – Services Through 6/7/22 ($45.00)
• Theta 456, LLC – LU# 5-13-2 – Services Through 6/16/22 ($390.50)
• Glenwood Management – ZB# 4-06-6 – Services Through 6/22/22 ($45.00)

   2. Board Planner – Jessica Caldwell, J. Caldwell & Associates

• Land Use Board Business – ($0)

• Andrew Pilgrim – LU# 6-22-7 – Services Through 6/27/22 ($500.00)
• John Kelly – LU# 6-22-6 – Services Through 6/29/22 ($625.00)
• HM GG – LU# 8-21-7 – Services Through 6/24/22 ($3,132.50)

   3. Board Engineer – Cory Stoner, Harold E. Pellow & Associates

• Land Use Board Business – Services Through ($0)

• Aqua NJ – LU# 7-17-3 – Services Through 5/19/22 ($472.50)
• Diamond Communications – LU# 10-18-7 – Services Through 5/25/22 ($435.15)
• Suez Water NJ – LU# 7-21-6 – Services Through 4/29/22 ($270.00)
• HM GG – LU# 5-22-5 – Services Through 5/19/22 ($202.50) 

   4.  Board Recording Secretary – Irene Mills ($75.00)

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Payment of Fees was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Mele.  Board Members were All in Favor.  Motion Passed.

Adjournment

There being no further items of business to be conducted on the agenda, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Auberger and was seconded by Mr. Williams. All members were in favor.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted                       

Irene Mills, Recording Secretary