Minutes March 8, 2023

 

VERNON TOWNSHIP LAND USE BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

March 8, 2023

 

 

Call to Order

Meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Spoerl 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, 2023, by delivering to the press such notice and posting same at the Municipal Building.

Salute to the Flag

Vice Chairman Spoerl led the assemblage of the Flag.

 

Roll Call

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

Jacqueline Haley	P
Kelly Mitchell Alternate #1	P
Mark Heftler   Alternate #2	P
Paul Mele Alternate #3	P
Mark Vizzini Alternate #4	P

Also Present:

Cory Stoner, Board Engineer

Jessica Caldwell, Board Planner

Kimberley Decker, Board Secretary         

Record reflects that Mr. Theobald and Mr. Williams notified the Board of their absence.

Public Hearings

 

Ø  Adoption of three Updated Master Plan Elements including a Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan Element, a Stormwater Management Plan Update and an Updated Open Space and Recreation Plan Element of the Master Plan

 

Board Planner Caldwell explained the Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan aligns with the County Plan and allows the utilization of grants at the county and state levels. The Plan includes all assessed and preserved farmland which the majority are located in the northern part of the township. She added the county and state look to acquire large farmlands in contiguous areas. Ms. Caldwell stated the Plan is consistent with the 2010 Master Plan, the 2022 Reexamination Report as well as the Highlands Master Plan and State Redevelopment Plan. If approved by the Land Use Board, the Plan would become part of the Master Plan.

Ms. Caldwell stated the Stormwater Management Plan implements a Plan per updated NJDEP regulations for stormwater management and makes the Township consistent with the Highlands Regional Master Plan. The goals are to improve water quality, eliminate runoff and proposes mitigation plan to allow other options for developers. Ms. Caldwell stated the Plan is consistent with the 2010 Master Plan, the 2022 Reexamination Report as well as the Highlands Master Plan.

Ms. Caldwell stated the Open Space and Recreation Plan identifies the preserved recreational properties and also future potential acquisitions. The Plan includes short- and long-term goals for all types of recreations such as campgrounds, lakes, trails and the connectivity of sites. Ms. Caldwell stated the Plan is consistent with the 2010 Master Plan, the 2022 Reexamination Report as well as the Highlands Master Plan which assists for grants on future acquisitions. If adopted, the Plan will become an element of the Township Master Plan.

Board Engineer Stoner added that Vernon Township is a Tier A municipality per NJDEP regulations, and the updated Stormwater Management Plan is a requirement. Ms. Caldwell added that all costs for the three Plans will be reimbursed by the Highlands Council when adopted.

Vice Chairperson Spoerl opened the meeting to the public. Seeing no one coming forward, Vice Chairperson Spoerl closed the meeting to the public.

Motion: Motion to Adopt the Updated Open Space and Recreation Plan Element for the Master Plan was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Auberger.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; TADRICK: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y, HEFTLER: Y, SPOERL: Y.

Motion Passed.

Motion: Motion to Adopt the Updated Stormwater Management Plan for the Master Plan was made by Mr. Mele and was seconded by Ms. Cocula.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; TADRICK: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y, HEFTLER: Y, SPOERL: Y.

Motion Passed.

Motion: Motion to Adopt the Updated Farmland Preservation Plan Element for the Master Plan was made by Mr. Whitaker and was seconded by Mr. Spoerl.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; TADRICK: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y, HEFTLER: Y, SPOERL: Y.

Motion Passed.

Public Participation

 

Vice Chairman Spoerl opened the Meeting to the Public. Seeing no one wishing to come forward, Vice Chairman Spoerl closed the meeting to the Public.

 

Land Use Board Discussion Items (action may or may not be taken)

 

Ø  Annual Update of N.J.S.A. 40:55D – 70.1 2022 Recommendations

Board Members stated per Municipal Land Use Law, the Land Use Board must annually review local ordinances for any changes needed based on variances granted. The annual report showed no recommendations needed.

 

Motion: Motion to Approve the 2022 Recommendations for the Annual Update of N.J.S.A. 40:55D – 70.1 was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Heftler.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; TADRICK: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y, HEFTLER: Y, SPOERL: Y.

Minutes

 

Ø  January 11, 2023 – Reorganization Meeting Minutes (Auberger, Williams, Tadrick, Spoerl, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, Mitchell)

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Reorganization Minutes of January 11, 2023, was made by Mr. Auberger and was seconded by Mr. McPeek.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; TADRICK: Y; SPOERL: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y. Motion Passed.

Ø  January 11, 2023 – Regular Meeting Minutes (Auberger, Williams, Tadrick, Spoerl, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, Mitchell)

Motion: Motion to Approve Regular Minutes of January 11, 2023, was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Whitaker.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; TADRICK: Y; SPOERL: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y. 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

Ø  Land Use Board Business – Services Through 12/16/22 ($746.50)

Ø  Land Use Board Business – Services Through 1/27/23 ($56.50)

Ø  Martin Theobald – LU# 12-19-10 – Services Through 12/15/22 ($118.50)

Ø  Minerals Resort & Spa – LU# 1-23-1 – Services Through 1/23/23 ($45.00)

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

Ø  Land Use Board Business – Services Through 1/24/23 ($770.00)

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

Ø Land Use Board Business – Services Through 12/7/22 ($156.76)

Ø  Theodore Renka – LU# 12-21-10 – Services Through 12/1/22 ($67.50)

 

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

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Payment of Fees was made by Mr. Tadrick and was seconded by Mr. Spoerl. Board Members were all in Favor. Motion Passed.

 

Adjournment

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

Meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted                        

Irene Mills, Recording Secretary