Minutes June 26, 2024

 

 

VERNON TOWNSHIP LAND USE BOARD

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

June 26, 2024

 

Call to Order

Meeting was called to order by Chairman Theobald at 7:00 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 30, 2024, by delivering to the press such notice and posting same at the Municipal Building.

 

Salute to the Flag

Chairman Theobald led the assemblage of the Flag.                                                                                   

Roll Call

Mayor’s Designee John Auberger	P
Ann Larsen	P
Councilmember William Higgins	NP
Martin Theobald	P
Richard Spoerl	NP
Willard McPeek	NP
Andrea Cocula	P
Jacqueline Haley	P

Michael Whitaker	P
Jodi White- Bearstler Alternate #1	P
Mark Heftler   Alternate #2	P
Paul Mele Alternate #3	NP
Mark Vizzini Alternate #4	NP

 

Also Present:

Steve Tombalakian, Board Attorney

Justin Singleton, Board Planner 

Kimberley Decker, Board Secretary

 

Record reflects that Members Spoerl and McPeek notified the Board of their absence.

 

Public Hearings

 

LU# 4-24-4 – Robert Krakovski – Block 502, Lot 7, - Variance to place an 8’x10’ shed in the front yard

Robert Krakovski, owner of said property, came forward and was sworn in to provide testimony for the approval of variance to place a shed in the front yard.  He purchased one story home with finished downstairs two years ago and is experiencing need for extra storage space on the site. He explained the side yards of site are entirely too narrow and currently house the generator and oil tank on one side and the air compressor and propane tank on other side leaving no available space for a shed.  He noted the back yard is the septic disposal field which cannot have a structure built onto and remainder of rear yard slopes down zigzagged tiered walkway to lake.  Robert opined that anything added in rear area would negatively affect the aesthetic appearance from the lake and would be problematic during winter months to access stored shovels and other equipment. 

Mr. Krakovski stated the proposed shed would most likely be placed in front of site nearest edge of property not visible from either adjacent neighbor.  He added there are no neighbors directly across the street and area is considerable low in relation to street level. 

Justin Singleton, for Board Planner, noted applicant is proposing an 80 sq. ft. accessory structure in the front yard of site in the PLC zone of Highland Lakes.  Property is developed with a one-story dwelling with multiple retaining walls and gravel driveway.  The site is in the Highlands Planning area, but proposal does not qualify for needed exemption.  There are errors of existing non-conformity for lot width at 66 ft which may contribute to the hardship being site lacks area on side yards.  A C- Variance is required to permit the proposed shed in the front yard per Accessory Structure Ordinance #330-171A.

Board Members questioned per plans submitted where the shed will be placed and proposed color.  Mr. Krakovski stated the shed will be placed towards end of first section of property near the existing generator.  He added the shed will have metal roof and match siding color of home.  He stated the Homeowner’s Association was also contacted for approval but was told Township approval is required and they have no authority.

Chairman Theobald opened the hearing to the Public.  Seeing no one wishing to come forward, Chairman Theobald closed the hearing to the Public.

Attorney Tombalakian stated applicant is requesting approval for a C Bulk Variance to allow an accessory structure in the front yard. Also, Board will need to approve memorialization of the existing non-conformities which include lot width of 66 ft where 100 ft is required

Motion: Motion to Approve LU#4-24-4 per testimony presented was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Ms. Larsen.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; LARSEN: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; WHITE-BEARSTLER: Y; HEFTLER: Y; THEOBALD: Y

Motion Passed.

Attorney Tombalakian explained to Applicant the risk of waiving the reading of Resolution in order to move forward with project immediately.  Mr. Krakovski acknowledged the explanation and requested a waiver of reading the resolution.  Board Members voted all in favor.  

 

Public Participation

 

Chairman Theobald opened the meeting to the Public for items other than on the Agenda.  Seeing no one wishing to come forward, Chairman Theobald closed the meeting to the Public

 

Resolutions

 

LU# 2-23-3 Boho Realty, LLC– Block 381, Lot 1 & 11, - Preliminary & Final Site Plan approval for phase 1 and Preliminary Site Plan approval for phase 2 along with Variances and waivers for construction of two structures which will consist of three apartments, health club and a restaurant

Eligible to vote: Auberger, Higgins, Spoerl, McPeek, Cocula, Whitaker, Haley, White-Bearstler, Theobald

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution LU#2-23-3 was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Whitaker.

ROLL CALL: AUBERGER: Y; COCULA: Y; WHITAKER: Y; HALEY: Y; WHITE-BEARSTLER: Y; THEOBALD: Y.

Motion Passed

 

LU# 2-24-1 – Camp Louemma Lane, Inc. – Block 5 Lot 12, - Variance for an 8 ft. fence associated with a swimming pool

Eligible to vote: Rossi, Larsen, Higgins, Cocula, Haley, White-Bearstler, Vizzini, Spoerl

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution LU#2-24-1 was made by Ms. Larsen and was seconded by Ms. White Bearstler.

ROLL CALL:  LARSEN: Y; COCULA: Y; HALEY: Y; WHITE-BEARSTLER: Y.

Motion Passed.

 

LU# 4-24-2 – AME Plaza LLC – Block 607, Lot 37, - Minor Site Plan to install a propane filling station

Eligible to vote: Rossi, Larsen, Higgins, Cocula, Haley, White-Bearstler, Vizzini, Spoerl

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution LU#4-24-2 was made by Ms. White- Bearstler and was seconded by Ms. Haley.

ROLL CALL:  LARSEN: Y; COCULA: Y; HALEY: Y; WHITE-BEARSTLER: Y.

Motion Passed.

 

LU# 4-24-3 – Indoveda LLC – Block 385, Lot 12 & 13, - Site Plan, Conditional Use and Bulk Variances for a proposed cannabis dispensary

Eligible to vote: Rossi, Higgins, Cocula, Haley, White-Bearstler, Vizzini, Spoerl

 

Motion: Motion to Approve Resolution LU#4-24-3 was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Ms. Haley.

ROLL CALL: COCULA: Y; HALEY: Y; WHITE-BEARSTLER: Y.

Motion Passed.

 

Minutes

 

• May 22, 2024 – Regular Meeting Minutes (Rossi, Larsen, Higgins, Cocula, Haley, White-Bearstler, Vizzini, Spoerl)

Motion: Motion to Approve Regular Minutes for May 22, 2024 was made by Ms. Larsen and seconded by Ms. Haley.  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 5/28/24 ($774.00)

• Bright Horizons – LU# 1-22-1 – Services Through 5/29/24 ($432.00)
• Dean Anthony – LU# 5-23-8 – Services Through 5/28/24 ($72.00)
• Camp Louemma – LU# 2-24-1 – Services Through 5/29/24 ($454.50)
• AME Plaza – LU# 4-24-2 – Services Through 5/29/24 ($400.50)
• Indoveda, LLC – LU# 4-24-3 – Services Through 5/30/24 ($1,678.50))
• Robert Krakovski – LU# 4-24-4 – Services Through 5/6/24 ($45.00)

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

• Land Use Board Business – Services Through 5/28/24 ($612.50)
• Indoveda, LLC – LU# 4-24-3 – Services Through 5/17/24 ($1,265.00)
• Robert Krakovski – LU# 4-24-4 – Services Through 5/10/24 ($585.00)
• Camp Louemma – LU# 2-24-1 – Services Through 5/7/24 ($280.00)

 

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

• Land Use Board Business – Services Through 4/24/24 ($284.00)
• Sussex Cultivation LLC – LU# 2-23-4 – Services Through 4/12/24 ($284.00)
• Rosemark Realty LLC – LU# 9-23-12 – Services Through 4/11/24 ($506.25)
• Bright Horizons – LU# 1-22-1 – Services Through 4/24/24 ($420.00)
• Boho Realty – LU# 2-23-3 – Services Through 4/24/24 ($213.00)
• FW Webb - LU# 2-23-2 –Services Through 5/2/24 ($254.50)

 

4. Board Recording Secretary – Irene Mills ($150.00)

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

B. Request for Escrows to be closed

• LU# 1-23-1 – Minerals Resort & Spa – Block 527, Lot 1, - Site Plan for proposed pickle ball courts ($475.60)

Motion: Motion to Approve Escrows to be closed was made by Ms. Cocula and was seconded by Mr. Whitaker. All Members were in Favor.  Motion Passed.

 

Adjournment         

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

Meeting was adjourned at ­­7:20 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted

Irene Mills, Recording Secretary