20210420 - Planning Board Public Meeting Minutes

Ridgewood Planning Board

Virtual Online Public Meeting

April 20, 2021

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of April 20, 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 7:35 p.m.

Roll Call – The following members were present: Mayor Knudsen, Councilwoman Reynolds, Richard Joel, Dianne O’Brien, Melanie Hooban, Frances Barto, Alysson Wesner, Darlene Johnson and Igor Lyubarskiy. Also present were Stephen Wellinghorst, Board Attorney; Maryann Bucci-Carter, Village Planner and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary. Debbie Patire and Chief Van Goor were 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 – Mayor Knudsen shared correspondence received from resident M. Bronstein regarding tree removal at Hopper Ridge Condominium Association.

Historic Preservation Commission review: Coldwell Banker Realty, 44 Franklin Avenue, Block 3805, Lot 4 – proposed signage. Vickie Ashmead was present to discuss the proposed sign for Coldwell Banker Realty, 44 Franklin Avenue. Ms. Ashmead explained that the new sign is needed due to rebranding at the realtor. Ms. Ashmead described the sign as far as the dimensions and lighting. The Board recommended approval of the sign as submitted.

54 East Ridgewood Landmark, LLC, 54 East Ridgewood Avenue, Block 3809, Lot 7.01 – Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval for Minor Site Plan Approval and Variance Relief – The resolution was adopted as drafted.

555 Maple Acquisition Inc., 555 and 565 N. Maple Avenue, Block 2904, Lots 20-26 – Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval for Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan approval, Exception from Design Standards and Variance Relief – The resolution was adopted as drafted.

Review of Council Resolution to Adopt the New Jersey Future Aging Friendly Land Use Implementation Plan – Mayor Knudsen explained that there was a request that the Council adopt a resolution that endorses the New Jersey Future implementation plan and the Council thought the Planning Board should review due to certain aspects regarding changes in housing issues.  Mayor Knudsen said there was concern as the Planning Board was deliberate in its efforts to make the Visioning process town wide.

Ms. Bucci-Carter said that the document talks about strategies and action to research as part of future Master Plan actions. The Land Use Plan is next in the Master Plan process and some of these issues still need to be studied and this implementation plan could be seen as a planning tool that identifies issues to consider.

Following further discussion, the Board tabled the matter until the Fall when the next phase of the Master Plan is to be discussed.

The minutes from April 6, 2021, were approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

                                                                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                      Jane Wondergem

                                                                                      Board Secretary

Date Approved:   May 4, 2021