Hillsborough Planning Board Approves Key Construction and Development Extensions
-
Meeting Type:
Planning Board
-
Meeting Date:
05/09/2024
-
Recording Published:
05/10/2024
-
Duration:
154 Minutes
-
State:
New Jersey
-
County:
Somerset County
-
Towns:
Hillsborough
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent meeting, the Hillsborough Planning Board approved several extension requests for ongoing projects and addressed community concerns regarding development notifications and traffic impact studies. Notably, the board approved extension requests for 1170 Milstone LLC, 279 Homestead LLC, and Millstone River Road, with the latter being under contract for acquisition by the township for open space. Additionally, the board addressed a property owner’s concerns about development notices, and discussions on site plan revisions encompassed parking expansions, electric vehicle charging stations, and stormwater management.
The meeting commenced with the board approving an extension for 1170 Milstone LLC. The representative, Michael Ogranic, cited environmental investigations and resolutions to issues of dumping and encroachment as reasons for the extension, which was granted. Another extension was approved for 279 Homestead LLC, which required substantial redesigns for stormwater management. The board clarified that the 30-day requirement for document provision had not yet taken effect, dismissing an objector’s concerns about the application’s standing.
G&J Steel Tubing’s request for an extension for the property on Millstone River Road was also granted, as the township plans to acquire this property for open space, which aligns with community interests in maintaining natural spaces.
During the meeting’s “business from the floor” segment, a property owner, Maria Janus, voiced concerns regarding the notice she received about a development project. Despite the board’s attorney, Eric Bernstein, assuring that proper notice was given, Janus maintained that the notice was inadequate.
The board then discussed a construction project seeking both preliminary and final site plan approval. Concerns related to traffic, parking, and variances previously raised were addressed by the applicant’s representative. Various witnesses, including an engineer, traffic consultant, architect, and the applicant’s president, provided details on the construction project. The testimony covered various aspects of the project.
A significant part of the meeting revolved around site plan revisions, focusing on the addition of parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and landscaping. The board’s planner and professional engineer offered memorandums with comments and conditions, which the applicant agreed to address. The applicant also committed to submitting a letter of interpretation for freshwater wetlands to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
The board voted to approve an application from JN G&J Steel and Tubing Inc. to construct a building addition in the I2 light industrial zone, following the acceptance of all reports and conditions. The application was processed without the testimony of witness Mr. Dean, focusing instead on the architectural and traffic engineering aspects of the proposal.
Another discussion centered on the application for the Sherman Track Phase 2 Emin at Camplan Road LLC. The board was presented with findings related to the widening of Camplan Road by the traffic expert, Mr. Vishio, who argued against providing shoulders on the road due to potential safety issues. The board’s deliberations showed a careful consideration of traffic volume, road classification, and vehicular conflicts, particularly concerning buses and trash trucks.
The meeting also involved a discussion about traffic projections for a proposed development. Questions were raised about the impact of larger vehicles on turning movements and the location of a bus stop in relation to the development’s entrance. The traffic engineer provided explanations for the differences in levels of service between reports and defended the benefits of having separate driveways for the proposed development, addressing the board’s concerns about traffic and road safety.
Additionally, the board discussed a proposed Somerset County multi-use facility on Roycefield Road. Marina Steinley from The Firm CLE presented the project, which aims for LEED Silver certification and is expected to have minimal traffic impact. The board reviewed professional reports and discussed stormwater management.
Finally, the board considered the use of barbed wire fencing and security measures for a property. Public concerns about security for election equipment, vehicle storage, and parking spaces were also addressed.
Robert Britting
Planning Board Officials:
Shawn Lipani, Robert Wagner Jr., John Ciccarelli, Robert Peason, Carl Suraci, Ron Skobo, Patricia Smith, Bruce Radowitz, Surajit Deb, Eric Bernstein (Board Attorney), Mark S. Mayhew (Board Engineer), David Kois (Planning Director)
-
Meeting Type:
Planning Board
-
Meeting Date:
05/09/2024
-
Recording Published:
05/10/2024
-
Duration:
154 Minutes
-
Notability Score:
Routine
Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:
-
State:
New Jersey
-
County:
Somerset County
-
Towns:
Hillsborough
Recent Meetings Nearby:
- 09/17/2024
- 09/18/2024
- 79 Minutes
- 09/17/2024
- 09/18/2024
- 11 Minutes
- 09/17/2024
- 09/17/2024
- 174 Minutes