Howell Planning Board Grapples with Development Proposals, Sidewalk Requirements, and Buffer Compliance
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Meeting Type:
Planning Board
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Meeting Date:
12/14/2023
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Recording Published:
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Duration:
107 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Howell
- Meeting Overview:
In the recent Howell Planning Board meeting, notable discussions centered on the development proposal by Wadsworth Development LLC, the conditional use approval for a trade contractor’s business, and a minor subdivision application on Oakland Road. The board also wrestled with buffer compliance issues and sidewalk requirements, with Mayor Theresa Berger and board member Brian Tannenhaus contributing notable input.
The meeting was dominated by the development proposal brought forth by Wadsworth Development LLC, with board members raising concerns about the addition of an extra lot to the plan. The development, which was part of a legal settlement, became the source of debate, as members questioned the negotiation process and the decisions resulting from it. The board also sought clarifications on technical aspects, notably the stormwater management system, road ownership, and tree clearing. In light of a discrepancy in the number of trees to be cleared and replanted, the board called for a more realistic approach to the reforestation plan. Despite the concerns, the board ultimately approved the settlement plan, acknowledging its compliance with the settlement agreement.
The issue of a conditional use approval for a trade contractor’s business drew the attention of the board, specifically regarding buffer requirement compliance. Mayor Theresa Berger led the discussion, emphasizing the importance of resolving the issue before approving the application. A member of the public, Tom Bany, voiced his concerns about potential noise and visual disturbances on his property. The board decided to push the application to the January 4th meeting to allow for further discussions and resolution of the issues.
A minor subdivision application for a property on Oakland Road also sparked interest, as the proposal aimed to reconfigure two lots into two compliant six-acre properties. The board expressed support for the proposed subdivision but raised questions about the need for sidewalks and street trees. Public member, Sean Conley, expressed concerns about the proposal’s notification and sought clarity on the proposed dwelling’s orientation. The board assured Conley that the future property owner would need to comply with zoning regulations.
Other topics discussed during the meeting included the approval of minutes from past meetings, the rescheduling of future meetings in consideration of Jewish holidays, and the tabling of a resolution for an application from Howell 360 LLC due to a member’s inability to access related documents.
Theresa Berger
Planning Board Officials:
John Leggio, Brian Greenfield, Fred Gasior, Joseph Cristiano, Robert Seaman, Paul Boisvert, Nicholas Huszar, Brian Tannenhaus, Chris Mercer, Jacqueline Pike
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Meeting Type:
Planning Board
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Meeting Date:
12/14/2023
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Recording Published:
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Duration:
107 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Howell
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