BOROUGH OF PAULSBORO
LAND USE BOARD
MINUTES
April 7, 2008
A regular meeting of the Land Use Board
of the Borough of Paulsboro was called to order by the Chairman, Wayne Wurtz,
on April 7, 2008 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: Robert DeAngelo, Leon Manchester, James
Salvatore, James Sharper, Alice Williams, Wayne Wurtz and Phil Zimm.
Absent: John Burzichelli, Allen Gray,
Larry Haynes, Rita Kelly, Inez Nelson,
and James Scott
A motion was made by Robert DeAngelo
seconded by Leon Manchester to accept the minutes of the meeting of March 3,
2008. Voice vote: All Ayes.
An application for a sign permit was
submitted by Taylor Memorial Baptist Church
located at 649 Greenwich Avenue. Patrick Kranin represented the
church. He explained that they are
requesting a hybrid sign. The current
sign is 20 by 20 feet. They wish to
keep the top as a static sign with the name of the church and information, such
as service hours, phone numbers and the like.
Below that they propose an electronic sign to list special events at the
church, a message for the week with the topic of the sermon. The electronic component of the sign allows
for flexibility to change the sign. One
of the members of the congregation will be responsible for the changing of the
sign. It would not be a flashing sign
but the message would change week to week.
The sign does have a light for night
and the applicants will keep that light.
No other lighting will be provided except for the electronic sign.
Richard Bunker, Pastor of Taylor
Memorial Church was sworn in. He stated
he has been with this congregation for six
years, and he indicated that he agreed with everything their attorney
said. He believes the sign is needed to
provide information to the community. The new sign will be easier to change
especially in inclement weather. They
do plan to use the sign for informational advertising. He defined advertising as community
announcements specifically non-commercial advertising or announcements. The
letters will be red electronic letters.
There will be no scrolling, blinking or moving parts of the sign.
A motion was made by Leon Manchester,
seconded by James Sharper, to open the meeting to the public. There being no one from the public wishing
to speak on this matter, a motion was made by Leon Manchester, seconded by
James Sharper, to close the meeting to the public.
A motion was made by Phil Zimm,
seconded by Leon Manchester, to approve the sign permit, with the specific
condition that there no blinking, flashing or scrolling of the lettering and
there be no commercial advertising.
Roll Call Vote: For - Robert
DeAngelo, Leon Manchester, James
Salvatore, James Sharper, Alice Williams, Wayne Wurtz and Phil Zimm; Against none; Abstain - none.
An application was submitted by Cricket
Communications, Inc for a Site Plan for property known as Block 12, Lot 2,
Beacon Avenue to add additional antennae to an existing telecommunication
tower.
The Boards Solicitor made an
announcement that the Boards Secretary, Alice Williams, was included on the 200-foot
list. The applicant had no objection to
the Secretary keeping the minutes, however she would not vote on the
application.
Christopher Quinn, Esquire presented
the application on behalf of the applicants.
This application is very similar to the recent application of Metro
PCS. Cricket Communication has been
issued a license by the FCC to provide wireless communication for their
customers. They wish to add six
antennae to be mounted on the existing tower and the construction of two
equipment cabinets. The applicants
request a use variance and height variance.
The existing tower is 132 feet high, while the maximum is 110 feet. The rear yard setback is not needed to
allow the equipment cabinet as the applicant will put the cabinets in the
building envelope.
Wellington Sibulo, a Radio Frequency
Engineer was sworn in and testified that Cricket Communication received a
license from the FCC to provide telecommunications in the area.
The applicant provided the following
exhibits:
A.
Cricket A- what the coverage would be if the application was approved.
B.
Cricket B Report from Dr. Ken Foster dated April 7, 2008.
Mr. Sibulo testified that he was a
licensed Radio Frequency Engineer having received his MBA which he has
testified in New Jersey at least two times in Somerdale and has also testified
in other states. The Board determined
that he is an expert in this field.
He testified that there were to be no
changes to the tower except for the addition of the antennae.
Michael L. Bohlinger, was sworn in and
testified that he is a Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey, and is
a Civil Engineer with 46 years of Engineering experience, the last 15 of which
were in telecommunications. He has
appeared before Boards in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The Board determined that he qualifies as an
expert.
He testified that the rear yard setback
was needed as their previous spot for the cabinets was taken by Metro PCS. it was determined that the rear yard setback
will not be needed as they are now going to put their cabinets on a platform
and slide it under the tower. The
owner has approved this.
The Board requested that we receive a
communication from the owner that they are allowing the platform to be under
the tower.
The applicant agrees to go in with
Metro PCS as to the landscaping plan.
The sound from the cabinet will be 65 decibels,
which is similar to normal conversation.
The existing tower is structured to
withstand 80 mph winds and 100 mph three second gusts, which is standard for
towers.
The next provider who applies would be
responsible for any structure reinforcement as there is no need for
reinforcement with these additional antennae.
Peter Tolischus a licensed professional
planner was sworn in and testified on behalf of the applicant. He testified that he has been a professional
planner in the State of New Jersey for over 42 years and has handled at least
380 cellular tower cases. The positive criteria are that Cricket is licensed
by the FCC. The site is particularly
suited for the use. He testified that
there are no negative criteria as the tower is existing and the equipment
cabinet will be moved to meet the requirements. The antennae will match the tower. They will work with Metro and the engineer to be sure the
placement is acceptable, relocating anything that is necessary.
Melanie Adamson, the Boards Engineer
presented her report. There was a lot
of submission information that was missing and while not all are applicable,
they are required. As to the setbacks,
the location of fences and the location of all existing trees need to be shown
on the plan.
Applicable issues would be that all
lots are consolidated into one lot, what is the cumulative noise level and what
is the maximum allowable noise limit.
All three carriers should include their levels.
Ms. Adamson asked about any additional
sign or lighting required by the FCC and was advised that there is no
additional required.
Ms. Adamson requested that the plan be
signed and sealed and that she will have a structural engineer with Remington
and Vernick review the plans and a landscaping engineer to look the site over.
A motion was made by Leon Manchester,
seconded by James Sharper to open the meeting to the public. There being no questions or comments from the
public a motion was made by Leon Manchester, seconded by James Salvatore to
close the meeting to the public.
A motion was made by Phil Zimm,
seconded by Bob DeAngelo, to approve the application for use and preliminary
and final site plan with a height variance for 110 feet, the height of the
existing tower, contingent upon the applicant complying with all comments and
requests by the Boards Engineer including but not limited to a signed and
sealed structural report for the tower; a cumulative noise report be submitted
with allowable decibels, including all carriers, submission of a revised site
plan showing the location of equipment under the tower; and documentation from
American Tower approving the location of the equipment cabinet. Roll Call Vote: For - Robert DeAngelo, Leon
Manchester, James Salvatore, James Sharper, Wayne Wurtz and Phil Zimm; Against none; Abstain -
none.
The
following Resolutions were memorialized:
2008 -18 G and F Investments, LLC Preliminary and Final Site Plan
Approval
41 East Broad Street Block 94, Lot 7 granted March
3, 2008 Leon Manchester
motion to adopt seconded by Bob
DeAngelo Vote 7 ayes 0 nays
0 abstentions.
2008-19 Robert
Kleinert Fence Permit 1540 South Chestnut Street Block 128 Lot 31 granted 3/3/08 Leon Manchester
motion to adopt,
seconded by Bob DeAngelo Vote: 7 ayes 0 nays
0 abstentions.
2008 20 AmSpec Services, LLC Minor Site Plan Approval 1300 North
Delaware Street Block 93 Lot 1 granted 3/3/08 Motion
of adopt by Leon Manchester,
second by James Sharper
Vote 7 ayes 0 nays 0
abstentions.
2008 21 William C. Chambers Minor Site Plan Approval 416 W. Broad
Street Block 97, Lots 2, 25, 28, 29 and 40 granted 3/3/08
Motion to adopt by Leon
Manchester, second by Bob DeAngelo
Vote 7 ayes 0 nays 0
abstentions
A motion was made by Leon Manchester
seconded by James Sharper to open the meeting to the public.
Carmen
Tedeski addressed the Board with respect to what was needed to have a change of
use on property known as 737 Billings Avenue.
He stated that he applied for a zoning permit but at the property is zoned R-1 and he had to be a resident of
the property in order to have a commercial use as well. He was advised that he needed to file an
application for a Use variance.
There being no one else from the public
wishing to speak a motion was made by Leon Manchester, seconded by Bob DeAngelo
to close the meeting to the public.
There being no other business, a motion
was made by Leon Manchester seconded by Bob DeAngelo to adjourn the
meeting. The meeting was adjourned at
8:30 p.m.
These minutes are an extract from 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