20210216 - Planning Board Public Meeting Minutes

Ridgewood Planning Board

Virtual Online Public Meeting

February 16, 2021

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of February 16, 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, Alysson Wesner, Darlene Johnson and Igor Lyubarskiy. Also present were Christopher Martin, Board Attorney; Maryann Bucci-Carter, Village Planner; Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary. Debbie Patire and Fran Barto 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 said that the Village advertised for Historic Preservation Commission members and should have the Commission regrouped by Mid-March.

Historic Preservation Commission Review: Piccolo Bistro, 29 Chestnut Street, Block 3805, Lot 20.01 – proposed signage – Richard Ackerman from Ridgewood Awning Company was present to explain the proposed sign and location of sign, which will be on the awning valance. Board members asked if the sign would remain when the awning is retracted and Mr. Ackerman said it would. Board members asked if the valance could go across the whole front of the awning and the sign centered on it. Mr. Ackerman agreed that the valance should go across the width of the awning, but the sign should be placed over the entrance. After discussion, the Board recommended approval of the sign.

Garber Building, LLC, 2-4 Garber Square, Block 3801, Lot 3 – Application for Minor Site Plan

approval to permit restaurant and inn – Mr. Joel announced that this hearing is carried to March 2, 2021 without further notice and without prejudice to the Board.

Garber Building, LLC, 2-4 Garber Square, Block 3801, Lot 3 – The resolution of approval for parking variance relief to permit the restaurant and inn was memorialized.

Memorialization of the Resolution for the Stormwater Management Plan element of the Village of Ridgewood Master Plan – The Resolution for the Stormwater Management Plan element of the Master Plan was memorialized.

Memorialization of the Resolution for the Ordinance to amend Chapter 190 of the Village Code

to adopt new Stormwater Management Regulation – The resolution amending the Stormwater Management Regulations of the Village Code was memorialized.

Review of Ordinance #3844 – Ordinance to amend Chapter 190 of the Village Code to adopt new Stormwater Management Regulations – The Board voted to recommend that the Ordinance be adopted as drafted.

Discussion re: Climate Change Bill and the Master Plan – Mr. Martin explained that the Governor signed a Bill that requires municipalities include a Master Plan element regarding climate change. Ms. Bucci-Carter explained that this would be incorporated into the Land Use Element of the Master Plan to identify strategies and design standards to mitigate climate change.

Board members asked what kind of strategies would be implemented. Ms. Bucci-Carter said that the Village already has done things, such as the flood wall around Village Hall. Mr. Rutishauser said that snow storage and flood prevention should be addressed in this element of the Master Plan. Mr. Martin said another part of this Bill has to do with the economic analysis and the preventative aspects, such as dealing with flooding and the need for generators, etc., so that they can anticipate how to allocate funds. Ms. Bucci-Carter said the language in the Bill is broad and could also relate to tree cover, preservation of trees, and many other issues.

Adoption of Minutes:  The minutes from January 5, 2021, were adopted with one correction. The minutes from January 19, 2021, were adopted as drafted.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

                                                                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                      Jane Wondergem

                                                                                      Board Secretary

Date Approved:   March 2, 2021