The most substantial topic of the meeting was Nest Count Corporate Property Urban Renewal LLC’s proposal for transforming the Nest 15 building. The attorney for the applicant, Jason Tubel, described plans to incorporate courtyards and amenity spaces within the existing structure, which is part of a large corporate campus previously subdivided by the board. The proposed improvements aim to reconfigure the building for multiple tenants, addressing the original layout intended for a single occupant. This reconfiguration will include the establishment of courtyards for tenant use and enhancements to the outdoor areas, focusing on drainage and landscaping improvements.

The presentation highlighted the need for functional enhancements without expanding the building’s footprint. The applicant assured the board that no variances were needed, emphasizing compliance with feedback from the board’s professionals.

An aerial view exhibit of the property was presented, showing its environment relative to nearby features like Galloping Hill Road and the Garden State Parkway. The Nest 15 building is undergoing a significant reconfiguration to support a modern multi-tenant office environment, including four courtyards to improve accessibility and usability. The board had previously approved similar improvements for the Nest 11 building, now being converted into a data center.

A detailed proposal for the construction of additional carters within the building was discussed, facilitating movement between the eight tenant spaces without disrupting other tenants. Specifics were given, such as the removal of artificial turf from the southern courtyards and the introduction of existing planters in the northern courtyards. Plans included re-landscaping and reparking in the northwest courtyard, where two dome-like meeting pods, each 20 feet in diameter and 10 feet in height, are proposed as conference rooms. The drainage system was also addressed, with existing infrastructure largely maintained and additional inlets planned for the northeast courtyard.

Heartscape improvements, such as benches, picnic tables, and overhead trellises, were proposed for the northwest courtyard along with existing sidewalks and seating walls. These enhancements are intended to create an inviting outdoor space for tenants. The proposal includes lighting upgrades and compliance with comments from the Harbor letter and the planner’s correspondence.

The board reviewed several exhibits, including a perspective rendering of a fire pit and seating area. Discussions clarified that eight separate tenant spaces are planned, with enclosed carters serving as integral parts of the building’s internal space. These facilities are intended as campus-wide amenities, accessible to tenants across the campus.

During the public comment period, no attendees voiced comments or inquiries, allowing the board to proceed with final discussions on the proposal’s adherence to prior reports. The board confirmed that no additional conditions were necessary beyond compliance with the recommendations outlined in those reports. The motion to approve the application was unanimously supported, advancing the redevelopment project.

In addition to the major site plan, the board addressed a resolution related to application 24-006 from Franchesco Paprii, involving a variance for converting a garage into a bedroom on North 19th Street. The board approved the variance with conditions, including the expansion of the driveway to accommodate three vehicles and a stipulation that no certificate of occupancy would be issued until the driveway expansion was completed within six months.