The most discussion centered on the approval of a preliminary and final site plan submitted by the Tachi Group for the property on Boulevard. This plan involves demolishing an existing structure and constructing a new parking lot intended primarily for overflow and employee parking for the adjacent Lilia restaurant. The representatives from Tachi Group highlighted that the lot would accommodate 10 regular parking spaces and additional spaces designated for valet services. Concerns were raised about parking management and the safety of employees and valets using designated crosswalks.

A qualified engineer presented the site plan, detailing the configuration of the parking lot and existing property conditions. The previous building had been razed after a fire, leaving only pavement. The new configuration includes a controlled parking area with designated spaces for employees and valet services, provisions for adequate lighting, and landscaping elements such as trees along the rear fence to buffer the adjoining property. The board members deliberated on the adequacy of lighting, with some expressing a desire for a more subdued approach. The Tachi Group representatives responded positively to these recommendations.

Additionally, the board discussed the necessity for county approval due to the property’s location along a county road, potential signage relocation, and the alignment of the depressed curb with the driveway for easier access. The Tachi Group emphasized their commitment to ensuring the parking lot primarily serves the restaurant’s employees and guests, with no overnight parking allowed for other vehicles.

Another prominent topic was the redevelopment plan for Galloping Hill Road. Mr. Riner, representing the governing body, provided an overview, noting that the property had been designated as needing redevelopment without condemnation. The plan introduces new zoning, including permitted uses such as research and development laboratories, medical facilities, data centers, warehouses, and age-restricted housing, while explicitly prohibiting market-rate housing and the distribution and sale of cannabis.

The board discussed building height restrictions, which prevent the construction of a 100-foot building directly adjacent to the road by introducing a gradient approach based on distance from the roadway. Enhanced landscape buffers along Galloping Hill Road were also emphasized, requiring loading docks to be located interior to the site and ensuring visual aesthetics.

Parking requirements were detailed, with some proposed needs deemed less than the current zoning ordinance stipulates. The plan mandates screening for surface parking lots from view along Galloping Hill Road, including evergreen shrubs and perimeter trees. The board reviewed the plan’s consistency with the borough’s master plan, which identified the need for proper zoning designations for the area to attract viable uses and enhance economic development. The board motioned to affirm the plan’s consistency with the master plan.

The meeting also addressed a traffic pattern review application for 705-77 Boulevard, involving the replacement of an existing Dunkin’ Donuts with a new drive-thru and a multifamily building with seven units. A traffic engineer presented findings based on an independent study, noting a noticeable increase in traffic and suggesting a one-way traffic flow to enhance safety and efficiency.

Public comments included concerns from residents about potential increases in traffic and safety hazards due to the new drive-thru model. One resident, Gail Smider, expressed fears that the changes would exacerbate existing traffic issues. The board discussed the possibility of incorporating suggestions from the traffic study into the final plan, including monitoring the queue with handheld devices and employing personnel to oversee traffic flow.

Further discussions touched on conditions for approval, such as building design enhancements, operational protocols, and the logistics of garbage collection. The board concluded that while the proposal is not perfect for everyone, it could alleviate many of the existing traffic and safety issues surrounding the Dunkin’ Donuts location.

Finally, the board discussed a use variance for an apartment building and a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru, with the owner expressing willingness to incorporate green components into the project. Public comments included frustrations from residents about increased traffic flow and parking issues. The planning board clarified that they had approved a use variance for the project based on legal and safety reasons.