MINUTES OF LAND USE BOARD MEETING

February 5, 2007

 

            The regular meeting of the Land Use Board of the Borough of Paulsboro was called to order by the Chairman, Wayne Wurtz, on February 5, 2007 at approximately 7:00 p.m. 

 

            Open Public Meetings Act was read by John Alice, Esquire, Solicitor. 

 

            The Board saluted the flag with the Pledge of Allegiance

 

            Roll Call: Members present:  John Burzichelli, Allen Gray, Larry Haynes, Leon Manchester, James Scott, James Salvatore, Alice Williams, Wayne Wurtz and Phil Zimm.

 

            Absent: Rita Kelly, Inez Nelson, and James Sharper

 

            A motion was made Leon Manchester, seconded by James Scott, to accept the minutes from the meeting of January 8, 2007.  Voice vote – all ayes.

 

            An application was submitted by Kelly Asay for property known as 124 Billingsport Road, Block 41, Lots 17 and 18 for a minor subdivision.  The applicant had presented updated plans on Monday, February 5, 2007.  After discussion by the Board it was determined that the plans were not submitted in a timely manner for the Board and the Engineer to review same prior to the meeting, thus the application was adjourned to the meeting of March 5, 2007.  The applicant agreed to waive all time limits and to contact the Borough to be sure all fees are current.  An announcement was made to the public that the application would be heard at the meeting of March 5, 2007 and that no further notice would be required for the public.

 

            An application was submitted by LaWanda and Kirby Combs, KDS Custom Builders for minor subdivision and site plan for property known as Block 118.02, Lots 1, 2 and 3.

            Williams S. Ruggierio, Esquire, attorney for the applicants spoke on behalf of the applicants.  John Schwiepenheiser, Engineer for the applicants and Mr. Kirby Combs, applicant was sworn in.

            The applicant’s engineer testified that

 

            Jerry Lovell testified on behalf of the applicant as follows:

a.      The applicant proposes to divide the property into five building lots.

b.      There are two existing houses and the applicant wishes to construct three, three bedroom houses, with single driveways.

c.      That there appears to be enough parking on Jefferson and

      Chestnut for six off site parking spaces. 

d.      Would like to replace the portion of the sidewalk that is damaged.

e.      Believes the applicant can comply with the balance of the

      requests contained in the Engineers letter.

 

            The Board’s Engineer testified as follows:

 

a.      He recommends that all the sidewalk and curbing

     be replaced.

b.      He understands that they are keeping two buildings – one is okay but the balance of the property needs setbacks.

c.      He believes the applicant will remove the fence except along Chestnut Street.

d.      He believes the applicant will tear down the existing garage, which is being used to store tools during construction.

 

            Phil Zimm, a Board member, questioned the existing and proposed parking, as the existing building is a duplex, which would require three off street parking spaces.   He further agreed to visit the site to check the existing sidewalks and curbing.

 

            The applicant Christopher Tuti, testified as follows:

 

a.      He has renovated one of the properties – he plans to build three new homes – three

      bedrooms – two stories – 1,500 square feet each.

b.      He has agreed to comply with the requests of the Board’s Engineer.

c.       He will arrange to have the plans modified to show the existing duplex and compliance with the requests.

 

            A motion was made by Phil Zimm, seconded by John Burzichelli to have the applicant revise the plans and to return to the Board next month at the December meeting, scheduled for December 4, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  An announcement was made to the public regarding this.

           

            An application was previously submitted by D and B Miller for a major subdivision for property known as Block 1.17, Lot 19 on Mantua Avenue for the meeting of October  2nd, which was continued to the November meeting due to the applicant’s attorney being unable to attend the meeting. 

 

            The applicant’s attorney, David Perry addressed the Board and the following individuals were sworn in to testify:

 

            A.  John Datz, Engineer

            B.  Dennis Miller – applicant

            C.  Ray Miller – applicant

            D.  Robert Malissa, Board’s Engineer

 

            The applicant’s Engineer testified that he drew the plans.

            The applicant’s testified as follows:

a.      The property is zoned R-1 and contains 6, 000

      square feet.

b.   The proposed lots are reasonable

      deep and run to the railroad at the rear of the

      property.  The proposed lots will be large

      enough to have wide driveways. 

c.   Water and sewer is available at the front of the lots.

d.      There is drainage from Mantua Avenue to the railroad.

 

            The Board’s Engineer presented his report.  The applicants agreed to comply with all comments and requirements of the Board’s Engineer in the letter report as well as all comments on the record.

 

            A Board member questioned as to the granting of a previous sub division in which a lot next to the existing commercial building was to be left vacant for parking and the like.

 

            The applicant’s testified that they plan to utilize three of the lots for building houses and will leave proposed lot C next to the Junior Wrestling Building vacant – that they plan to sell that lot back to Junior Wrestling.

 

            A motion was made by James Scott to open the meeting to the public, seconded by John Burzichelli.

 

            There being no questions or comments from the public on this application, a motion was made by John Burzichelli, seconded by James Scott, to close the meeting to the public. 

 

            A motion was made by Larry Haynes, seconded by James Scott, to grant the major subdivision contingent upon the comments in the Board’s Engineer letter, comments on the record and the proposed lot C being left vacant for parking for the commercial use.  Roll Call vote:  6 yes, 0 no, 0 abstentions.

 

 

            Steven R. and Tina Morris submitted a minor subdivision application for property known as Plate 33, Block 12.6, Lots 27 and 27.01 located on Jessup Street.  Due to the incorrect service and date of hearing, the matter was heard at the November 6th meeting.  After review of the notice and service receipts by the Solicitor, it was determined that the applicants sent appropriate notice.

 

            Steven R and Tina Morris were sworn in and testified:

 

a.      The deed to the property is written as if the existing building was

      a quadplex. 

b.      The applicants wish to make it two separate properties with a

      building on each lot.

c.      The properties consist of one one-bedroom unit and two units

      with two bedrooms each.

 

            The Board’s Engineer reviewed his report and testified as follows:

 

There is some curbing on the street but it is beat up – the building inspector to go and report on what  

     needs to be replaced.

a.      A concrete monument needs to be placed on the property to

      show the property lines.

                        c.  The legal description has to be provided for review.

                        d.  The subdivision should be recorded by deed.

e.      The property is located on a dead end street.                                                  

f.        Due to the need for off street parking for both 

     houses, there should a driveway for each building  

     – the buildings currently share one driveway.

 

            A motion was made by Phil Zimm, seconded by James Scott, to open the meeting to the public.

 

            Irene Watson, of Jessup Street, was sworn in.

            She testified that she lives across the street from the subject property and there is a big problem with parking.  She objected to any new buildings being built.

            She was advised that the applicants are not constructing any new buildings – they are only reconfiguring the lot lines. 

            Ray Miller was sworn in and questioned as to the parking and whether the property was flag shaped.

 

            There being no other questions or comments from the public, a motion was made by John Burzichelli, seconded by James Scott to close the meeting to the public.

 

            A motion was made by Phil Zimm, seconded by James Scott to grant the proposed subdivision contingent upon the revised plans showing the new driveway, and that the Board’s Engineer review and approve the new drawings and the legal descriptions for the deeds.

 

            An application was submitted by Nicole Daniels for a fence permit for property known as

 

            The applicant testified that she has two large dogs.  Her house does not have a back door but a side door.  She needs to have the fence extended on the side where the side door is located so the dogs can go right into the yard.  She has a six-foot vinyl fence.  She is requesting the fence extension for safety reasons.  

 

            A motion was made by Phil Zimm, seconded by John Burzichelli to grant the request for the fence.

 

            As to correspondence and new business, a letter was received from Ronald Uzdavinis, Esquire requesting that he be provided with all invoices received from professionals with respect to the review and work performed on the applications.

           

 

            A motion was made by James Scott, seconded by John Burzichelli to adopt the Resolutions from the previous meeting.

 

            There being no further business a motion was made by James Scott seconded by John Burzichelli to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

            These minutes are an extract form the meeting that was held on the above date and are not to be considered a verbatim account or to be construed as an official transcript of the proceedings.  The tape of the meeting is stored in the Borough Hall.

 

            Respectfully submitted,

 

            Alice B. Williams,

            Secretary Land Use Board