20210119 - Planning Board Public Meeting Minutes

Ridgewood Planning Board

Virtual Online Public Meeting

January 19, 2021

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of January 19, 2021. 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 7:38 p.m.

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

Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board – There were no comments at this time.

Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics – Site Plan Exemption Committee: There were no comments at this time.

Garber Building, LLC, 2-4 Garber Square, Block 3801, Lot 3 – Application for Minor Site Plan approval and parking variance relief to permit restaurant and inn (Carried from January 5, 2021, without further notice and without prejudice to the Board) – Fran Barto recused herself from this hearing.

David Rutherford, Esq., entered his appearance and made opening remarks. Mr. Rutherford said the applicant was only being heard on the parking variance at this meeting.

Jonathan Steingraber, member of Garber Building, LLC, was sworn. Mr. Steingraber described the proposed use for the building as a restaurant on the first floor, an inn on the second floor, and staff use and restrooms in the basement. Mr. Steingraber showed renderings of the proposed exterior and interior of the building, marked as Exhibits A-1 through A-4. Mr. Steingraber said the existing tenant spaces in the building will remain. Mr. Steingraber explained that the proximity to the train station works well with the proposed use. The applicant does not anticipate a big need for overnight parking, but would make arrangements with a neighboring property owner or the parking garage. The inn is proposed to have 6 rooms and there would be no long term stays.

Ms. Bucci-Carter asked if any exterior work was proposed on the building. Mr. Steingraber said there would be signage proposed and exterior painting. Ms. Bucci-Carter stated that any mechanical plans and dumpster locations would need to be reviewed.

Board members asked if the applicant had approached any property owners regarding parking. Mr. Steingraber said he had spoken with Tarvin Realtors and another office building that have parking spaces which are not used overnight.

There were no questions from the public.

Michael Maris was sworn and his credentials as a parking and traffic consultant accepted. Mr. Maris testified in regards to the parking study he prepared, which was marked as Exhibit A-5. Mr. Maris explained that the study was conservative in that he estimated the parking demand for 84 seats and that he considered other sources when looking at the train station parking occupancy due to COVID.

Board members asked about number of staff and if staff parking had been considered. Mr. Maris stated that the staff was included in his calculations. Mr. Steingraber said there could be 5-10 staff members, and one hostess working overnight. Board members asked about deliveries. Mr. Steingraber said there are 3 spots in front of the building and Mr. Maris said deliveries would occur during off-peak hours.

There were no questions from the public.

Maryann Bucci-Carter, Village Planner, was sworn and testified in regards to her report as per the parking variance and stated that she saw the proposed use as a good fit for this building.

Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer, was sworn. Mr. Rutishauser asked Mr. Maris if he thought the parking garage was a tolerable range from the subject site. Mr. Maris said it would be in nice weather, or a shuttle service would be used.

Board members asked about overnight parking being permitted. The applicant may need to approach the Village Council regarding that issue.

There were no public questions or comments.

Mr. Rutherford made closing remarks and the hearing was closed. Following Board deliberation Mayor Knudsen made a motion to approve the parking variance, Ms. O’Brien seconded, and the variance was approved.

The hearing for site plan approval was carried to February 16, 2021, without further notice.

Historic Preservation Commission Review: Piccolo Bistro, 29 Chestnut Street, Block 3805, Lot 20.01 – proposed pergola style awnings – Jale and Baran Aktas were present to discuss the proposed awning replacement. Following discussion regarding the color, the framework for the awning and the placement of the awning, the Board recommended approval for the awning only. The applicant will need return to the Board to review signage.

Stormwater Management Plan: Public Hearing on the Stormwater Management Plan and review of the proposed Ordinance to amend Chapter 190 of the Village Code to adopt new stormwater management regulations consistent with NJDEP requirements -  Christopher Rutishauser and Maryann Bucci-Carter worked on the Stormwater Management Plan. Mr. Rutishauser explained that the State requires that both components are adopted by municipalities. Mr. Rutishauser stated that stormwater management is an issue for the Village as it is 96% developed. Stormwater is managed separate from the sewer system. The Village requires a stormwater management plan of any site improvement resulting in an increase of at least 200 square feet. Ms. Bucci-Carter stated that the Stormwater Management Plan is an element of the Master Plan. Mr. Rutishauser said that the ordinance to adopt new stormwater management regulations has been submitted to the Mayor and Council for review at their next session.

Following discussion, the Board voted to approve the Stormwater Management Plan amendment to the Master Plan as drafted. The Board voted to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 190 of the Village Code to adopt the new stormwater management regulations to the Mayor and Council.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

                                                                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                      Jane Wondergem

                                                                                      Board Secretary

Date Approved:   February 16, 2021