Minutes January 11, 2023

 

VERNON TOWNSHIP LAND USE BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

January 11, 2023

 

 

Call to Order

Meeting was called to order by Vice Chairman Spoerl at 7:08 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 17, 2022, by delivering to the press such notice and posting same at the Municipal Building.

Salute to the Flag

Vic Chairman Spoerl led the assemblage of the Flag

 

Roll Call

 

Mayor’s Designee John Auberger	P
Craig Williams	P
Councilmember Joseph Tadrick	P
Martin Theobald	NP
Richard Spoerl	P
Willard McPeek	P
Andrea Cocula	P
Michael Whitaker	P

Jacqueline Haley	P
Kelly Mitchell Alternate #1	P
Mark Heftler   Alternate #2	P
Paul Mele Alternate #3	P

Mark Vizzini Alternate #4

NP

                                                                                            

   Also Present:

Cory Stoner, Board Engineer

Jessica Caldwell, Board Planner

Kimberley Decker, Board Secretary

 

Record reflects that Mr. Theobald and Mr. Vizzini notified the Board of their absence.

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# 12-19-10 – Martin Theobald – Block 57, Lots 4 & 5, - Request for Extension of Time of Minor Subdivision Approval

          Eligible to vote: Auberger, Williams, Spoerl, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, Mitchell,

Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution for LU#12-19-10 was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Williams.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; WILLIAMS: Y; SPOERL: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y.

Land Use Board Discussion Items (action may or may not be taken)

Review Ordinance #23-02

Board Engineer Stoner explained that when the Township realigned Canistear Road, portion named Road B was never improved and proposed Ordinance approves vacation of a portion of it, reverting area to adjacent property owner of Block 442 Lot 2 and Block 445 Lot 10 and will combine properties in order to improve the existing house.  Mr. Stoner added vacation of roadway will not landlock any lots. 

Planner Caldwell explained the Township Council requested the Land Use Board review the proposed Ordinance for Master Plan consistency.  The Ordinance proposes to vacate a portion of a public street named  “Road B” and revert ownership to the owners of adjacent properties Block 442 Lot 2 and Block 465 Lot 10. Ms. Caldwell found Ordinance 23-02 is consistent with the following goals of the Master Plan by developing and improving a coordinated road system;

improving utilization of existing roadways; and preserving the ability of Lake Communities to maintain their road systems. 

Ms. Caldwell spoke to Attorney Tombalakian who stated that the Ordinance introduced at the Council meeting of January 9, 2023 included a typographical error with the Block/Lot number and will need to be reintroduced, but it does not affect the review by the Land Use Board at this time. 

Mr. Stoner added Road B is noted on the official tax map of Vernon Township as a paper road, not improved and vacation by Ordinance is legal way to revert area to adjacent owners. 

Ms. Haley questioned if Highland Lakes Association has been notified of the Ordinance.  Mr. Stoner explained the Township has the right to vacate the public right of way and after approvals, the Association will be notified when the owner combines the lots by merger deed.

Mr. Williams noted the Ordinance only vacates a portion of Road B and questioned what happens to remainder.  Mr. Stoner explained the owner requested only a portion of the roadway to be vacated that is needed to combine his lots, and he paid for survey and the engineering review.  The remainder of the roadway will stay as existing paper road.  

Motion: Motion that Ordinance #23-02 is consistent with Master Plan was made by Mr. Whitaker and was seconded by Ms. Cocula.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; WILLIAMS: Y; TADRICK: Y; SPOERL: Y; MCPEEK: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; MITCHELL: Y.

Motion Passed.

Minutes

 

• December 14, 2022 – Regular Meeting Minutes (Auberger, Williams, Spoerl, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, Mitchell)

Motion: Motion to Approve Minutes of December 14, 2022, was made by Mr. Williams and was seconded by Mr. Spoerl.  All Members eligible were in Favor. Motion Passed.

Appendix A – escrows, board fees, bond reductions and escrow closure

 

   escrows, board fees and bond reductions

 A. Board Fees

 

1. Board Attorney – Glenn Kienz, Weiner Law Group LLP

• Land Use Board Business – Services Through 11/9/22 ($448.00)

• LU# 9-22-9 – Vernon PAL – Services Through 11/14/22 ($560.00)

  2.      Board Planner – Jessica Caldwell, J. Caldwell & Associates

• Land Use Board Business – Services Through ($0)

   3.     Board Engineer – Cory Stoner, Harold E. Pellow & Associates

• Land Use Board Business – Services Through 11/9/22 ($135.00)

• PAL – LU# 9-22-9 Services Through 11/4/22 ($598.75)
• Suez Water NJ Inc. – LU# 7-21-6 – Services Through 11/8/22 ($67.50)

 

4. Board Recording Secretary – Irene Mills ($75.00)

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Payment of Fees was made by Mr. Whitaker and was seconded by Ms. Cocula.  Board Members were all in Favor. Motion Passed.

 

Adjournment

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

Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted                       

Irene Mills, Recording Secretary