20190806 Planning Board

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of August 6, 2019. Interested parties may request an audio recording of the meeting from the Board Secretary for a fee.

Call to Order & Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: Chairman Joel called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.

Administration of Oaths of Office - Mayor Hache administered the oath of office to Alysson Wesner, Class IV member.

Roll Call – The following members were present: Mayor Hache, Chief Van Goor, Deputy Mayor Knudsen, Richard Joel, Debbie Patire, Melanie Hooban, Alysson Wesner and Dianne O’Brien. Also present were Christopher Martin, Board Attorney; Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Maryann Bucci-Carter, Village Planner and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary. Joel Torielli and Frances Barto were absent.

Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board – No one came forward.

Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics – Deputy Mayor Knudsen reported on the Historic Preservation Commission meeting. Ms. Hooban was appointed as a Class C regular member of HPC. The Commission reviewed an application for Racefaster to paint the façade at 41 E. Ridgewood Avenue orange. Deputy Mayor Knudsen said that the Planning Board needs to give guidance to HPC to help them understand what their purpose is and to weigh in on the Historic Element of the master plan.

Mr. Joel reported on the Master Plan Review Committee meeting where they reviewed a summary of the visioning questionnaire and responses. The next step will be scheduling workshops. Mr. Joel said that community members were involved in the meeting.

Correspondence Received by the Board – Ms. Wondergem said there was a memorandum from Maryann Bucci-Carter, Village Planner, regarding ‘Village of Ridgewood Historic Preservation Demolition’. Ms. Bucci-Carter reviewed the memo and there was Board discussion on the topic.

Hudson Street Parking Lot, Block 3809, Lots 12 & 13 – Major Soil Moving Permit- Mr. Rutishauser explained that as the Hudson Street parking lot is Village property, it is exempt from review, but that it is being brought to the Board as a courtesy review. Mr. Rutishauser stated that approximately 3,000 cubic yards are being moved. Board members had questions regarding when the project would start and the truck route. Board members expressed some safety concerns. Mr. Rutishauser said that they would be coordinating with the Police Traffic Safety Bureau. The Board voted to recommend approval of the resolution to the governing body.

Review of Ordinance #3730 – Ordinance to amend Chapter 190 of the Village Code to remove references to Chapter 251, Swimming Pools. Ms. Bucci-Carter stated that she reviewed the ordinance. Board members had a question about pool fences. It was determined that the fence issue could be discussed at another time and did not affect this ordinance. The Board voted to recommend approval of the adoption of this ordinance to the governing body.

Review of Ordinance #3731 – Ordinance to amend Chapter 190 of the Village Code at Section 190-122 regarding Real Estate Signs. Mr. Rutishauser had concerns that the open house signs could be a visual obstruction if not placed in accordance with Village Code ordinance at Section 190-119E. The Board voted to recommend approval of the adoption of this ordinance to the governing body with a reference to 190-119E added to the ordinance.

Discussion re: Ordinance which would amend Chapter 190, Land Use and Development to require a driveway to be provided where a garage exists – Ms. Bucci-Carter explained the revisions made to the ordinance since it was last discussed. There was Board discussion regarding the width of the driveways, the material of the driveways and grass pavers. Ms. Bucci-Carter will make the discussed changes in the language of the ordinance.

Ms. Hooban left the meeting at 8:52 p.m.

Discussion re: Amendment of By-Laws – Mr. Martin gave a brief summary of the proposed changes to the by-laws and asked that the Board members and Ms. Bucci-Carter review them prior to the next meeting and the Board will discuss it further at that time.

Adoption of Minutes:   The minutes from July 2, 2019 were adopted as drafted.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Jane Wondergem

                                                                        Board Secretary

Date Approved:  August 20, 2019