16:31Leah Fury Bruder, the redevelopment planner, introduced the amendment, which had already been presented by ordinance by the borough council. This proposal aligns with the existing redevelopment plan, which the board found consistent with the master plan about a year ago. The amendment was primarily a delineation for tax purposes, allowing the church to partner with a housing provider while maintaining tax-exempt status. The plan includes access and parking easements to facilitate shared usage and maintenance of facilities.

Board members expressed agreement with the amendment, which was described as straightforward, with no physical changes to the property. Following a roll call vote, the amendment’s consistency with the master plan was confirmed, and the resolution will be forwarded to the governing body.

The applicant, Michael Moda, sought to install an in-ground swimming pool and a 600-square-foot pool house, necessitating six variances, including one for use since pool houses are not explicitly permitted as accessory structures in the R2 zone.

The application highlighted existing conditions such as concrete driveways and walkways, with the proposed plan including stormwater management systems to handle increased runoff. The need for a variance stemmed from the pool house exceeding the maximum allowable accessory building size of 450 square feet and side yard setbacks for the pool decking.

The applicant argued that a pool house is customarily incidental to a dwelling and visually consistent with other permitted accessory uses, like a garage. The board scrutinized the potential for the pool house to be used as a separate dwelling unit, leading to a stipulation that it would not serve as an accessory dwelling unit.

Concerns regarding lot coverage and stormwater drainage were addressed with assurances of effective management through robust systems capable of handling significant storm events. The board unanimously approved the application after a public comment period yielded no objections, incorporating conditions discussed, including the stipulation related to the pool house’s use.

51:17The meeting also included a public hearing on a redevelopment study targeting various blocks and lots within the town. A representative from Penon presented findings, recommending the PNC Bank building and two lots associated with the old Window Factory site for redevelopment designation. The study aimed to identify properties meeting criteria for areas in need of redevelopment, involving site visits and consultations with property owners.

The study’s findings sparked conversation among participants, with discussions about potential property inclusions and the complexities of shared access among interconnected parcels. The board emphasized flexibility in redevelopment planning, with some members advocating for comprehensive consideration of all involved lots to prevent impediments due to ownership issues.

A property owner of Lot 2.03 expressed interest in being included in redevelopment discussions, leading to further debate about the criteria for inclusion. The board reached a consensus on recommending its inclusion, considering the owner’s openness and the potential benefits of incorporating the lot into future redevelopment plans.