Atlantic Health System’s plan involves constructing a three-story, 46,500-square-foot medical office building on the site, which has remained vacant for a decade. The proposal includes design elements such as a 45-foot building height and an array of parking and circulation areas. However, one of the contentious issues revolved around the proposed signage, which included a freestanding monument sign exceeding the permitted size and setback requirements. A board member questioned the necessity of the sign’s variance, emphasizing the need for the applicant to justify its visibility claims compared to a compliant version. The member expressed skepticism, stating, “I don’t believe that if you change the dimensions of the sign to 12 by 3 or a 4 by 10 versus 12 by 6 that you’re not going to see that sign.”

In addition to signage, the application sought waivers for certain design standards, such as the width of circulation aisles and the driveway, which the fire official deemed acceptable. The applicant also proposed using porous pavement for the parking area, which, while not meeting the required specifications for a compacted base course, is expected to enhance water quality treatment.

The discussion also touched on lighting, with a proposed use of LED fixtures designed to be fully cut-off and controlled by timers to minimize light pollution. A waiver was sought to allow higher illumination levels than typically permitted, justified by standards from the Illuminating Engineering Society, especially for parking lots at medical facilities frequented by elderly individuals.

Environmental concerns emerged, particularly regarding the site’s historical use as a farm, with a phase one environmental assessment revealing potential pesticide and heavy metal contamination. The board stressed the importance of addressing these issues during construction to prevent adverse impacts on neighboring properties and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

A critical point of the meeting was the debate over building height. The proposed design included a roof deck height of 42.45 feet, with the screening for mechanical equipment extending to 49.5 feet, surpassing the 45-foot limit and prompting a variance request. The board engaged in a vigorous discussion about whether the screening should be included in the building height calculation. This led to a brief recess for consultation, after which the architect clarified that the screening was intended to enhance the building’s appearance, not for noise reduction. Ultimately, the board leaned towards maintaining the screening and granting the variance, acknowledging that it would not detract from the project’s overall appeal.

The session concluded with the board transitioning to another case, presented by Kenneth Pap for Vanderve Industrial Partners LLC. This involved a minor subdivision and a major site plan for a warehouse building within an industrial park. The proposal outlined a 48,000-square-foot warehouse with associated office space, requiring a lot line adjustment to improve developability. The board reviewed the proposal’s compliance with township regulations, with a focus on ensuring proper stormwater management and adherence to environmental standards.