Call to Order

Meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Spoerl at 7:04 p.m.

Statement of Compliance

Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this regular meeting has been provided to the public and the press on January 13, 2020 by delivering to the press such notice and posting same at the municipal building.

Salute to the Flag

Vice Chairman Spoerl led the assemblage of the flag.

Roll Call    Also Present
Mayor’s Designee Diane Wexler P   Thomas Knutelsky, Board Engineer
Craig Williams P   Jessica Caldwell, Board Planner
Councilmember Auberger NP   Kimberley Decker, Board Secretary
Martin Theobald NP    
Richard Spoerl P    
Willard McPeek P    
Andrea Cocula P    
Michael Whitaker NP    
Kristi Raperto P    
Kelly Mitchell Alternate #1 NP    
Joseph Tadrick Alternate #2 NP    
Paul Mele Alternate #3 P    
Mark Vizzini Alternate #4 P    

Record reflects that Mr. Auberger, Mr. Theobald, Mr. Whitaker, Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Tadrick notified the board of their absence.

Public Hearings

LU# 2-91-4 - 2020 Mountain Creek Master Plan Update

Chris Haggerty, vice president resort operations, and Matt Carter, director mountain operations, Mountain Creek Resorts came forward to present the 2020 master plan update to the land use board.

Mr. Haggerty highlighted the operational changes being proposed in 2020:

  • Snow Guns: will continue to improve the snowmaking system by replacing existing equipment with improved technology.
  • RT 94 Fencing: fencing consists of chain link and split rail with chain link inset. Maintenance repairs will continue to be done on the fencing while plans are being worked on for future replacement. Mr. Knutelsky noted the priority to move forward with future plans of entire fence replacement due to safety concerns of pedestrians.
  • Ticket Booth: located in Cobblestone Village, minor improvements to aesthetics of structure
  • Tarzan Swing Water Park Attraction: currently working with department of community affairs and manufacturer for compliance to state mandated requirements.
  • Snow Tubing Warming Area: area was not used in 2019 and may be phased out of service.

Vice Chairman Spoerl noted that he witnessed pedestrians crossing RT 94 to access tubing area causing traffic hazards.

Mr. Haggerty stated operationally adjustments were made to correct these types of situations. On week days and slow times, visitors are shuttled to the tubing area from main parking areas while Sandhill parking lot is locked. If open, the Sandhill lot is staffed to alleviate these activities.

  • Yurt: obtaining information for possible reopening of existing structure within the water park which had not been used for over 15 years; will not open in 2020.
  • Aqua Climbing Wall: obtaining information from health department and department of community affairs for proposed rock climbing wall within existing pool.
  • Pathway Lighting: proposed additional solar lighting needed for Friday and Saturday night special events in water park. Permanent solar powered lights will be approximately 14 ft high with down pointed light.
  • Restaurant addition: proposed addition to Hawk’s Nest is no longer proposed for 2020.
  • Restroom Renovation: Obtaining design information and quotations to renovate existing restroom facilities in water park but work will not be done in 2020.
  • Ski Box: continued renovation for existing temporary ski box consisting of four shipping containers used for rental operations during winter only and then removed in springtime. Mountain Creek is in idea phase only for proposed permanent structure for year round use for winter rentals, summer events and weddings. Mr. Haggerty explained the current bankruptcy situation has halted capital plans and cannot provide specific time line. Ms. Caldwell recommended that resolution include that the 2021 master plan include a time frame for this proposed permanent structure.
  • Pedestrian Bridge: In 2019 PKB engineering firm inspected the bridge and reported repairs needed in two phases: Phase 1: On Cobblestone side of bridge, a 12 ft x 8 ft section of webbing needs to be repaired within one year from report. Mountain Creek has decided to replace the section of webbing in its entirety in the fall between open seasons. Phase 2: Sandblasting and painting of entire bridge is required based on 3-5 year plan.

Vice Chairman Spoerl commented that the PKB proposal and inspection stated it was done without the use of as-built engineered plans and recommended that Mountain Creek try to access the plans from company who acquired old files of the original engineers - Lehman & Getz. Mr. Williams requested board be provided with copy of PKB inspection report.

Mr. Knutelsky noted that board engineer Cory Stoner, in report dated February 21, 2020, that improvements to Mountain Creek South, although valuable, should not be included in the master plan update, as they will require site plan approval. He requested that Mr. Haggerty testify as to any changes that may have impact on traffic, parking, and noise. Mr. Haggerty noted that parking is guided by 2014 parking plan and only operational changes made were discussed previously regarding locking of Sandhill lot when not in use. Parking and traffic control for special events including Spartan Races or Oktoberfest are prior approved by Vernon Police Department. Also, police officers are hired as staff support for Mountain Creek South crosswalk during peak times.

Mr. Williams questioned if the board took action in 2019 to include Mountain Creek South in the master plan. Vice Chair Spoerl explained that the original resolutions for the master plan were set up for the North facility and does not include the South Lodge area. Ms. Wexler questioned if the webbing being replaced on the bridge is safe right now. Mr. Carter stated it is safe; the report recommended the webbing be repaired within one year and Mountain Creek has chosen to go beyond and replace it entirely within the time frame allowed.

Vice Chairman Spoerl opened the meeting to the public. Seeing no one from the public wishing to come forward, Vice Chairman Spoerl closed the meeting to the public.

Motion: A motion was made to approve the 2020 Water Park Master Plan Update as presented by Ms. Cocula and seconded by Mr. Williams.

ROLL CALL: WEXLER: Y; WILLIAMS: Y; MCPEEK: Y: COCULA: Y; RAPERTO: Y; MELE: Y; VIZZINI: Y; SPOERL: Y
Motion passed.

Public Participation

Vice Chairman Spoerl opened the meeting to the public. Seeing no one wishing to come forward, Vice Chairman Spoerl closed the meeting to the public.

Resolutions

LU# 6-19-6: Christopher Newsom - Block: 263, Lot: 4, - Major Soil Fill Placement Application

Eligible to vote: Williams, Auberger, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Mitchell, Tadrick, Theobald.

Motion: Motion was made by Ms. Cocula to approve Resolution LU#6-19-6 and was seconded by Mr. McPeek.

ROLL CALL: WILLIAMS: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y.

Minutes

January 8, 2020: Reorganization Meeting Minutes (Williams, Auberger, Spoerl, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Mitchell, Tadrick, Vizzini)

Motion: Motion was made by Mr. Williams to approve reorganization minutes of January 8, 2020 and was seconded by Mr. Vizzini.

ROLL CALL: WILLIAMS: Y; SPOERL: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; VIZZINI: Y.

January 8, 2020: Regular Meeting Minutes (Williams, Auberger, Spoerl, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Mitchell, Tadrick, Vizzini)

Motion: Motion was made by Mr. Spoerl to approve regular minutes of January 8, 2020 and was seconded by Mr. Williams.

ROLL CALL: WILLIAMS: Y; SPOERL: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; VIZZINI: Y.

Appendix A: Escrows, Board Fees, Bond Reductions and Escrow Closures

  1. Board Fees
    1. Board Attorney: Glenn Kienz, Weiner Law Group LLP
      1. Land Use Board Business - Services through 11/19/19 ($788.00)
      2. Land Use Board Business - Services through 1/29/20 ($32.00)
      3. Christopher Newsom - LU# 6-19-6 - Services through 12/11/19 ($112.00)
      4. Christopher Newsom - LU# 6-19-6 - Services through 1/8/20 ($832.00)
      5. Suez Water - LU# 10-19-8 - Services through 12/12/19 ($128.00)
      6. Suez Water - LU# 10-19-8 - Services through 1/7/20 ($64.00)
      7. Martin Theobald - LU# 12-19-10 - Services through 1/20/20 ($45.00)
    2. Board Planner: Jessica Caldwell, J. Caldwell & Associates
      1. Land Use Board Business - Services through 12/10/19 ($230.00)
      2. Land Use Board Business - Services through 12/20/19 ($1,920.00)
      3. Martin Theobald - LU# 12-19-10 - Services through 12/26/19 ($345.00)
      4. Suez Water - LU# 10-19-8 - Services through 12/04/19 ($480.00)
      5. Mountain Creek Master Plan Update - PB# 2-91-4 - Services through 1/21/20 ($360.00)
    3. Board Engineer: Cory Stoner, Harold E. Pellow & Associates
      1. Land Use Board Business - Services through 12/11/19 ($195.00)
      2. Christopher Newsom - LU# 6-19-6 - Services through 12/11/19 ($158.90)
      3. Suez Water - LU# 10-19-8 - Services through 12/6/19 ($260.00)
    4. Board Recording Secretary: Irene Mills ($75.00)

Motion: Motion was made by Ms. Cocula to approve board fees and was seconded by Ms. Wexler. All members were in favor. Motion passed.

  1. Request for Escrows to Be Closed
    1. LU# 11-10-11: Kyungkon Choi - Block 220.01, Lot 8 - Minor Subdivision ($124.00)

Motion: Motion was made by Ms. Cocula to approve release of escrow to be closed for LU#11-10-11 and was seconded by Mr. Williams. All members were in favor. Motion passed.

Adjournment

There being no further items of business to be conducted on the agenda, a motion was made by Mr. Williams and was seconded by Ms. Wexler. All members were in favor.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted
Irene Mills, Recording Secretary