This Month's Minutes Minutes Open Session Allamuchy Land Use Board June 23, 2011 The Allamuchy Township Land Use Board held their regular meeting on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the Municipal Building. The meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m., by Vice Chairman Cristianna Gibbs and she led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. STATEMENT: Board Secretary Alfia Schemm announced that adequate notice for this meeting has been provided according to the Open Public Meetings Act. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Cristianna Gibbs, Robert Hunt, Tim Stuy, Adam Baker, Clara Bajc, and Stacy Bockbrader. ABSENT: Mayor James Cote, Suzanne Chamberlin, Peter Bolten, Jeff McDonnell, and Michael Sloane. ALSO PRESENT: Board Attorney Roger Thomas, Board Engineer Paul Niehoff, Board Engineer Paul Sterbenz, and Board Secretary Alfia Schemm. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Board Attorney Thomas stated that Mr. Sloan was present earlier, but left as he has to recuse himself from the matters being heard this evening. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 28, 2011 were distributed prior to the meeting. Ms. Bajc made the motion to adopt the minutes. Motion seconded by Ms. Bockbrader. In a voice vote, all were in favor, except for Mr. Baker, who was not present at the April meeting and he abstained. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Vice Chairwoman Gibbs opened the meeting to the public for non-agenda items. With their no public comment, the meeting was closed to the public. OLD BUSINESS: #09-002 PVPOA, North Gate Replacement Block 750, Lot 500 Board Engineer Sterbenz stated that the Applicant is not present as they did not have professionals to represent them this evening. He stated that this matter should be carried to the Boards next meeting. Vice Chairman Gibbs announced that this matter be carried to the Boards July 28, 2011 meeting. APPEAL: #11-001 Barry LoPate, Block 802, Lot 12.07 Barry LoPate and Philip A. Smith were both present on an appeal that was filed in regards to a violation notice that Mr. LoPate received. Mr. Smith was sworn in and he stated that he is a friend of Mr. LoPate and he provided his qualifications as an Engineer. Mr. Smith reviewed the notice of violation and the work that was done at Mr. LoPates home. He stated that Mr. LoPate has indicated that he received verbal approvals from Municipal Officials, but no written approvals for the work done at his home. He submitted a sketch drawing of the existing conditions, which was marked as an Exhibit: A-1 Existing Condition Sketch Drawing Mr. Smith stated that they acknowledge that there is a violation on the site. He then distributed a second sketch, which indicates the areas that could be removed to try and comply with the lot coverage violation, which was marked as an Exhibit: A-2 Sketch-Proposed Modifications Mr. Smith then went on to describe the areas that could be reduced/modified to try and comply with the lot coverage issues. The Board discussed the proposal and how to address the excess lot coverage, whether it be by removal of coverage or by the filing of a variance. The Board also addressed the Appeal Application submitted and how the Applicant wishes to proceed. Engineer Smith stated that the Applicants home is presently in foreclosure and he is not in a position to make any improvements and/or modifications to his property at this time. Board Attorney stated that the Board can either act on the Appeal filed or Mr. LoPate can withdraw his Appeal Application, which may be more cost effective. He suggested that Mr. LoPate contact the Zoning Officer and advise him of his situation. Both Mr. Smith and Mr. LoPate agreed to withdraw the Appeal application. Vice Chairwoman Gibbs then recused herself and sat in the audience. Ms. Bockbrader will act as Chairman pro-tem for the T-Mobile application. MEMORIALZING RESOLUTION: #09-005 T-Mobile, Block 901, Lot 22.01 Mr. Stuy made the motion to adopt the Incompleteness Resolution from the March 31st completeness hearing. Motion seconded by Ms. Bockbrader. In a roll call vote, all were in favor to adopt the Resolution, except for Ms. Bajc who abstained. COMPLETENESS: #09-005 T-Mobile, Block 901, Lot 22.01 Board Engineer Niehoff reviewed the completeness issues. Mr. Stuy made the motion to deem the application complete. Motion seconded by Mr. Baker. In a roll call vote, all were in favor, except for Ms. Bajc who abstained. NEW BUSINESS: #09-005 T-Mobile, Block 901, Lot 22.01 Gregory Meese, Esq. was present on behalf of the Applicant and he described the proposed monopole and he reviewed the variances required. The revised drawings where marked as an exhibit: A-1 Revised Submission, 10 sheets, dated 5-12-11 Dennis Keenan was sworn in and he provided his qualifications as an Engineer. He then went on to display Sheets A-01, A-02, and LP-1. He described the proposed monopole and the compound. He stated that they have received Highlands Exemption approval on April 7, 2011. He stated that they have provided an EIS and an LOI has been received. He stated that they also have a draft Memorandum of Agreement with SHPO to address their proposal on the site. The Applicants continued to address the proposal and the following was marked as an exhibit: A-2 LP-1 Landscape Plan Board Planner Coppola had many questions in regards to the proposal and she had her concern over the proposed timer for the lighting and the size of the fenced enclosure/compound and how it will address future co-locators. The Applicants stated that future carriers may have to apply to the Highlands if they require a larger compound and/or they will need to resize their equipment. Board Planner Coppola stated her concerns with that scenario and then the possibility of having to remove/relocate trees. She stated that from a planning perspective there should be planning for the possibility of co-location. She also suggested a board on board 8ft fence and she went on to review some suggested modifications to the proposed landscaping. Ms. Bajc stated her concern with the lighting. The hearing was then opened up to the public. With there being no public comment, the hearing was closed to the public. Joseph Menio was sworn in and he testified to his qualifications as a Radio Frequency Engineer. The following was submitted and marked as an exhibit: A-3 Base Map with 3 propagation overlay maps Engineer Menio went on to describe the base map, the existing coverage, and the proposed coverage with the proposed monopole. The Board stated their concern with the size of the compound and whether it could accommodate co-locators. They also discussed whether the proposed site is the best location to provide quality coverage. Engineer Menio stated that their goal at this time is to cover Route 80 and Route 517. The following was submitted and marked as an exhibit: A-4 Map with search ring The Board and the Applicants discussed other properties that may provide better quality coverage and the need for supplemental information/testimony that would address a comprehensive plan. He reviewed other municipal properties that were reviewed and that were found to be inadequate. Board Planner Coppola stated that there may be a lot that could provide better coverage, which she indicated on the map. The Applicants agreed to research the site. The following was submitted and marked as an exhibit: A-5 Scan Test Data Engineer Menio then addressed the differences between the two RF studies/reports submitted and the data he collected. Board Planner Coppola asked if this monopole is being constructed to be extendable. The hearing was opened to the public. With there being no public comment, the haring was closed to the public. Dave Collins as sworn in and he provided his qualifications as a FCC Compliance Expert and he stated that he prepared a report dated July 1, 2010 and he summarized the findings in his report and he concluded that they will be in Federal and State compliance by a very wide margin. The hearing was opened to the public. With there being no public comment, the hearing was closed to the public. Engineer Menio noted two corrections in his report. Attorney Meese stated that they will have their Planner testify at next months meeting. He also stated that they will also address the issues brought up this evening. Board Attorney Thomas announced that this matter will be carried to the Boards July 28th meeting, without further notice. ADJOURNMENT: In a motion made and seconded the meeting adjourned. Respectfully Submitted: Alfia Schemm Board Secretary |
