METUCHEN PLANNING BOARD

 

MINUTES

 

JUNE 2, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 8:03 p.m. by the Chairman Eric Erickson who read the statement in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act.

 

Present:            Jack Belowich                                                  Kenneth O’Brien

                        Eric Erickson, Chrmn.                           Catherine Totin, Councilmember

                        Martin Jessen                                                   Carlos Rodrigues, Planner
                        David Labrecque                                              William Doyle, Attorney

                        Deanna Manzo, Vice Chr.                                David Hoder, Engineer

                        Edmund O’Brien, Mayor                                  Sharon Hollis, Secretary

                       

Absent: Steven Strom                                                    John Leazer, Alt. II

                        Ellen Clarkson, Alt. I

 

 

RESOLUTIONS:

 

Joseph Taylor – TRC – Applicant is seeking approval to change the use to retail sales & service.

 

330 Lake Avenue                                 Block 112                    Lot 26              Zone D-1

 

Mr. Belowich read the recommendation.   During the Board discussion, Mr. Belowich requested the following condition be added to the recommendation:

 

H.       Applicant shall comply with the letter of record dated February 17, 2005, which includes site improvement plans.

 

The public portion was opened.

 

Since no one came forward the public portion was closed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Belowich to approve the recommendation as amended, seconded by Mr. Labrecque.  Roll call vote taken.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

PB Minutes 6-2-05                                                                                                     Page 2

 

 

 

Direct Cleaners – TRC – Applicant is seeking change of use from a pre-school to a dry cleaner.

 

20 Hillside Avenue                                Block 122                    Lot 13              Zone B-1

 

Mr. Doyle explained how this application was for conditional use approval and that there are certain findings that the Board needs to make.  Mr. Doyle discussed the general conditions and the specific conditions for the dry cleaners use.

 

Mr. Belowich read the recommendation. 

 

The public portion was opened.

 

John Egan, 72 Hillside Avenue, questioned the process in which the Board determines if the dry cleaners use is permitted and wanted to have someone give a detail explanation on each condition.

Mr. Doyle read the conditions again. 

 

Mr. Rodrigues stated this is a less intense use then the pre-school.  There was a lengthy Board discussion on deliveries/loading and unloading, parking, impact of vehicular traffic, safe & efficient accessibility to the building and toxic materials.

 

Ms. Ayala discussed the use and explained how she spoke to Ron from the County Health, air pollution department, who gave her a rundown on the way newly established dry cleaners require permits to open their business, how they need to bring in fourth generation machines and cannot just take over an old dry cleaning establishment.  Ms. Ayala stated there are strict requirements on how the machines are serviced.

 

Ernie Docs, owner of the property, stated he spoke to the owner of the pre-school and that there doesn’t seem to be a problem with the dry cleaning use.

 

The Board discussed traffic at the corner of Hillside and Station Place.  Concerns were expressed on how and when deliveries would be made for the business and the removal of chemicals when there are only five parking spaces available for the cleaners in the rear of the building.

 

Mr. Wiley, attorney for the applicant, stated deliveries can be made on Saturday only and that there will be no real problems with loading or unloading since small containers will be used.  No deliveries will  be made by UPS trucks.

 

Dr. Alison Williams, on the faculty of chemistry at Princeton University and a resident of Hillside Avenue, stated many states do not allow dry cleaners near or within a certain distance of day care centers and apartments are not permitted above the use. 

 

PB Minutes 6-2-05                                                                                                     Page 3

 

 

 

Mr. Wiley stated dry cleaning establishments are controlled by the DEP, Subchapter 16, Section 7.7-16.2.  Mr. Wiley read the regulations.

 

The public portion was closed.

 

Condition of approval added:

 

            F.  All deliveries shall be made on Saturday in the rear parking lot.

 

After further discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Belowich to approve the recommendation as amended, seconded by Mr. Labrecque.  Roll call vote taken.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

The minutes from the April 7, 2005 meeting were approved as written.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                        Sharon Hollis

                                                                        Planning Board Secretary