55:16At the heart of the meeting was the application for a development project that included a contentious stormwater management plan. A key issue was the design’s reliance on existing data and assumptions that were deemed insufficient, particularly concerning the soil’s characteristics and the seasonal high water table. The applicant’s engineer was criticized for not conducting adequate geotechnical test borings across the modified areas of the site, especially where a sand filter is now proposed. This omission was highlighted as a critical flaw, with the assertion that proper design cannot proceed without this foundational information.

01:24:30The board’s discussions revealed that past soil testing did not meet the regulatory requirement of at least two tests for every stormwater management facility. This non-compliance with state regulations, which dictate that systems must be situated above the seasonal high water table, was underscored by an expert who noted that the proposed system was positioned six feet below the table based on the applicant’s data. The discrepancy between the design and regulatory standards was deemed too significant to overlook, necessitating further soil testing to ensure an effective stormwater management plan.

20:21Additionally, the meeting explored the implications of the stormwater system’s design on surrounding areas. Concerns were raised about the potential redirection of water runoff into Old Short Hills Road, a change from the site’s current drainage patterns, which could lead to overflow issues in the municipal storm sewer system. The board emphasized the need for a comprehensive analysis of the system’s capacity to handle this new inflow, as the applicant’s current plans did not adequately address these considerations.

09:17Another focal point of the meeting was the interpretation of buffer requirements as they pertain to the proposed development. The board examined the township ordinances, which stipulate a 25-foot buffer for residential zones, but found ambiguity in the language regarding what this buffer should include. The presence of a sand filter and vegetative filter strip within the buffer area raised questions about the site’s compliance with the buffer requirements, as these features impede necessary plantings for screening.

02:23:05The board discussed the possibility of redesigning the site plan to meet these buffer requirements, which could involve removing the sand filter and vegetative strip. However, such changes could complicate stormwater management further, highlighting the interconnected nature of the issues at hand.

01:17:00The meeting also touched upon the broader implications of the development’s classification as an urban redevelopment area. The definition of “previously developed land” came under scrutiny, as certain wooded sections of the site did not meet this criterion, affecting runoff calculations and compliance with stormwater management mandates. The applicant’s failure to address groundwater recharge in these wooded areas further compounded the compliance issues, emphasizing the need for accurate calculations and comprehensive soil testing.