The primary focus of the meeting was the proposal from Leon Properties, LC, to expand the existing Fisherman’s Source building. The plan includes increasing the building’s size from 6,214 to 11,339 square feet, which will accommodate the business’s shift towards warehousing. This adjustment will reduce the retail space from 24.3% to 21.2% of the building’s footprint. The proposal also outlines interior renovations and a comprehensive reconfiguration of the parking lot to enhance site functionality.

Parking improvements were a significant component of the plan. The existing parking configuration, characterized by varied and non-compliant stall widths, will be standardized to offer 23 spaces, exceeding the ordinance requirement of 22. The reconfiguration includes the addition of a landscaped island, responding to comments from the board’s engineer and enhancing both the parking arrangement and the site’s visual appeal. This measure aims to organize the previously disorganized parking spaces and ensure compliance with local requirements.

Site circulation enhancements were also discussed. Adjustments to the driveways will facilitate better vehicle and loading operations. The northern driveway will be widened from 14 to 30 feet, allowing more efficient traffic flow, while the southern driveway will be increased to 24 feet to support two-way traffic. The applicant requested a design waiver for the driveway curb radius, planning improvements that expand the southern driveway to five feet and the northern to ten feet, which should improve maneuverability and safety.

Attention was given to the facility’s lighting and landscaping plans. The expansion will include additional lighting to ensure safety and visibility, with two new building-mounted lights and three pole-mounted lights at strategic locations. Although the proximity of the light poles to the right-of-way required a variance, the board acknowledged the engineering rationale behind these placements. Landscaping efforts will replace stone with sod along Sunset Avenue, introduce new plantings, and maintain existing street trees, all aimed at enhancing the site’s aesthetics.

The board also addressed the potential for pedestrian connectivity by discussing sidewalk installation along the Briel frontage. Although the current conditions do not support a continuous sidewalk, the plan includes extending a sidewalk from the northern limit of the Briel frontage to the proposed driveway. This would connect to an adjacent property, improving pedestrian access in the area.

Another issue discussed was the site’s refuse management, with plans to relocate the trash enclosure 111 feet from the right-of-way. This adjustment is intended to improve site aesthetics and operational flow. The project also includes two designated loading zones, with one for e-commerce operations and another for product deliveries, accommodating larger delivery vehicles without increasing anticipated truck traffic.

In addition to the Fisherman’s Source expansion, the board addressed a separate matter concerning a potential redevelopment area on Route 35, specifically Block 34, Lot 11. The board agreed to authorize an investigation by Topology LLC from Newark, New Jersey, to determine if the area qualifies for redevelopment status, which would grant eminent domain powers. This decision marks a preliminary step in assessing the corridor for future development opportunities.