The applicant, represented by Michael Butler, and Andrew Walsh, the business owner, sought approval for converting the property to a centralized location for their operations, which would entail office space, a garage, and a phase two building for future expansion. Concerns about shared facilities and the layout of the proposed buildings prompted rigorous exchanges between the board and the applicant, ultimately leading to no resolution being reached during the meeting.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the traffic implications of the proposed development. John Ray, a traffic engineer, provided a report, marked as A17, detailing traffic generation, site access, and parking requirements. The board scrutinized the report, especially in the context of phase two development and its compliance with zoning regulations.

Public concerns were voiced regarding noise, with residents inquiring about potential disturbances from the business’s daily operations. The board addressed these concerns by highlighting the township’s noise ordinance and the measures taken to ensure minimal disruption, such as conducting manufacturing activities indoors with closed doors. The applicant also reassured that a full buffer had been provided on the property’s west side to mitigate noise for neighboring developments.

Pat Ward, the board’s engineering expert, presented the existing conditions of the vacant property, detailing the proposed site layout, including two phased buildings, access points, parking, and circulation plans. The proposed stormwater management plan was particularly scrutinized, with concerns about high water tables and the impact of future stormwater regulations prompting a commitment to meet with relevant parties to resolve issues.

During the presentation on the development’s phasing plan, the board expressed concerns about the adequacy of lighting in the rear storage area during phase one and the need for additional landscaping around the trash enclosure. The applicant’s request for design waivers—concerning lighting intensity, driveway width, and pavement requirements—sparked further debate, leading to a dynamic discussion about the project’s compliance with township standards.

The meeting took a turn when Amanda Leno, the project’s architect, presented the design details of the front and rear buildings. A debate ensued over the relevance of discussing interior layouts for phase two, which was not immediately under consideration. This led to a decision to defer the hearing until the next session on April 18th.