Planning Board Public Meeting Minutes 09/15/15

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of September 15, 2015. 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 Nalbantian called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. The following members were present: Mayor Aronsohn, Ms. Bigos, Mr. Nalbantian, Councilwoman Knudsen, Mr. Reilly, Ms. Altano, Mr. Thurston, Mr. Joel, and Ms. Dockray. Also present were: Gail Price, Esq., Board Attorney; Blais Brancheau, Village Planner; and Michael Cafarelli, Board Secretary. Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer, and Mr. Abdalla was not present.

Chairman Nalbantian made opening remarks regarding safety issues and the hearing process.

Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board – Lorraine Reynolds asked about the status of the Planning Board review of the North Walnut Street Redevelopment Plan amendment process at the February 18, 2014, March 18, 2014, and March 30, 2015 meetings. Mr. Nalbantian said the CD's were distributed but the Board and he have not finished the review. Ms. Reynolds said it is important that Board members listen to the tapes, as some of the information in the letter to the Council prepared by the Village Planner is not accurate.

There was discussion about the legal issues and Ms. Price said the redevelopment plan has been approved by the Council and therefore the Planning Board cannot make any changes at this time. Several Board members asked for a copy of Blais’ letter to the Council.

Correspondence received by the Board – There was none.

PNC Bank, Minor Site Plan Application: Memorialization of Resolution of Approval, 257 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Block 3703, Lots, 4, 6, & 8.01 - The Board voted to adopt the resolution as drafted.

Sonic Wave dba Tito's Burritos, Minor Site Plan, and Variance Application, 166 East Ridgewood Avenue, Block 3704, Lot 5 – Mr. Nalbantian recused himself. Ms. Price said the applicant's attorney requested an extension. Board members commented on the Historic Preservation Commission meeting with the owner Michael Caldarella the co-owner. There was a question about the legal issues regarding color restrictions and what legal grounds the Planning Board has to enforce the change of color to the façade of the storefront. The Board discussed other storefronts painted blue and if the Historic Preservation Commission should have a color palette to recommend to applicants. The Board voted to carry the meeting to October 20, 2015 without further notice.

Approval of Minutes – The minutes from February 19, 2015 were approved with a modification to change the word “fell” to “feel” on page 17 of the transcript.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Michael Cafarelli

                                                                        Board Secretary

Date approved: 10-06-15