BOROUGH OF PAULSBORO

LAND USE BOARD MINUTES

June 2, 2008

A regular meeting of the Land Use Board of the Borough of Paulsboro was called to order by the Chairman, Wayne Wurtz, on June 2, 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, Rita Kelly, Inez Nelson, James Salvatore, James Scott, Alice Williams Wayne Wurtz and Phil Zimm.

Absent: John Burzichelli, Allen Gray, Larry Haynes, Leon Manchester and James Sharper.

A motion was made by James Scott seconded by Inez Nelson to accept the minutes of the meeting of May 5, 2008. Voice vote: All Ayes.

As to the application for a minor site plan submitted by Venold Johnson for property known as Block 67, Lot 7 905 Delaware Street the applicant has been working with the Engineers and asked that the matter be adjourned to the next meeting, July 7, 2008. A motion was made by Rita Kelly, seconded by Inez Nelson to continue the hearing on the application to the meeting of July 7, 2008. Voice vote – all ayes. An announcement was made by the Solicitor to the public that this application was continued to the meeting of July 7, 2008.

As to the application for a minor site plan submitted by Connections Group LLC – Carmen Tedeski for property known as Block 17, Lot 20, 737 Billings Avenue, the applicant contacted the Zoning Official and asked that his application be withdrawn. After discussion the Board agreed to withdraw the application without prejudice.

As to the request for a site plan waiver submitted by Flower World, for property known as Block 126, Lot 19, 1530 South Delaware Street, the application was presented by Steven Garber, Esquire, attorney for the applicant. Mr. Garber stated that a violation was issued to the applicant and he was advised to apply for Site Plan, asking for a waiver. There was some question as to the application containing the request for a Use Variance and Marc Kamp, Zoning Officer was sworn in and stated that the Use Variance issue was resolved and a zoning permit was granted to the applicant.

Mr. Garber continued that Mr. Sheets the applicant-owner, had bought the property next door in February of 2006 and removed the carports using the driveway for ingress to the rear of the subject property to use for parking. More than six parking spaces were created, thus the need for the site plan.

Mr. Robert Sheets, was sworn in and testified as follows:

1. He is the owner of Flower World. Since 1959 the property was owned by his family, his mother and father, and two brothers. When his brother died a few years ago, he bought the business from his sister-in-law.

2. He stated there was always parking in the rear. There were two greenhouses in the rear which were removed. The parking was used for trucks to load and unload and there was parking for 10 to 15 cars.

3. Access to the back of the property was by a dirt road – Moreland Avenue.

4. The retail store was always in the front.

5. When he tore the greenhouses down he repaired the area as there was exposed plumbing.

6. In 2005 – 2006 he purchased the property next door.

7. There was always parking on Delaware Street. When he received complaints he had the customers park on New Street.

8. Purchased the property next door and planned to use the area for parking.

9. The driveway was already there and he planned 10 to 12 parking spaces.

10. The concrete driveway needed repair and he planned to put stone down then black top but he was told to stop.

11. The curbing needed to be repaired.

12. The two properties were never consolidated.

13. He is willing to address the issue of consolidation and he has no interest to build anything on the property.

The Board questioned as to the parking on Delaware Street. The applicant stated that there was always parking on Delaware Street, but on the second day he owned the property the Police came by and advised him that he could not have parking on the street.

After discussion by the Board, a motion was made by Phil Zimm, seconded by Robert DeAngelo to deny the request for a site plan waiver and there is not enough information from the applicant for the Board’s Engineer’ review and the Board to make an informed decision. Thus, the request for site plan waiver was denied and the applicant will need to file a complete site plan application.

Vote: For – R. DeAngelo, R. Kelly, I Nelson, J. Salvatore, J. Scott, A. Williams, W. Wurtz and P. Zimm.

An application was submitted by David Roche/Magnolia Blossom for a sign variance for property known as Block 101 Lot 7, 101 West Broad Street. Deena Grebele, Esquire, attorney for the applicant, presented the application for the applicant. The applicant operates a flower shop at the subject property and currently has one façade sign – denoting the name of his business. There is also a temporary sign on the exterior wall of the building.

David Roche of 45 Owens Lane, Sewell, New Jersey, applicant, was sworn in and testified as follows:

1. He leases the property and runs a florist business from the property.

2. The business is located near the intersection of Broad and Spruce.

3. He received a violation notice for the temporary sign on the side of the building.

4. The temporary banner sign is on the side of the building towards Gibbstown. He was hoping the public would be able to see where he was located as customers had indicated that they would miss his building.

5. The temporary sign is a banner which measures 8 feet by 2 and ½ feet. He would like to replace the temporary sign with a permanent sign measuring 8 feet by 3 feet.

6. There is a vacant lot next to the building.

7. There are no lights on the existing façade sign as well as no lighting on the temporary banner. There are no plans to light the permanent sign.

8. The proposed sign would be consistent with the existing sign and would have no moving parts it would only have name and phone number of the business.

9. The temporary sign could be removed within 90 days.

A motion was made by Phil Zimm, seconded by James Scott to grant the applicant’s request for a sign variance for the side of the building with the following conditions:

1. That the size of the sign does not exceed 30 square feet.

2. That the sign is not illuminated.

3. That the art work and wording is approved by the Board and the Board’s Engineer.

4. That the temporary sign be removed within 90 days.

Roll Call Vote: In favor: R. DeAngelo, I. Nelson, J. Salvatore, J. Scott, A. Williams, W. Wurtz and P. Zimm – Abstentions; R. Kelly, Against: None.

There were no resolutions for the Board.

A motion was made by Rita Kelly seconded by James Scott to open the meeting to the public.

There being no one from the public wishing to speak a motion was made by James Scott, seconded by Rita Kelly to close the meeting to the public.

As to old business the Board questioned the status of the CAM Care application. The Board’s Engineer has heard nothing. The Board’s Solicitor will address a letter to Louis Wilson, Attorney for CAM Care as to the status.

There being no other business, a motion was made by James Scott, seconded by Rita Kelly to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 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