0:00The restaurant, led by principal Mr. Hernandez, aims to offer fresh Mexican dishes with a takeout model, utilizing delivery services such as DoorDash and UberEats. Mr. Hernandez explained that food would be prepared off-site and delivered to the restaurant twice weekly, with operational hours set from 10 AM to 10 PM daily.

17:16Parking availability emerged as a significant topic, given the restaurant’s designation as a takeout establishment. The board questioned whether parking allocations needed adjustments, noting that the previous pizza business operated without a parking variance. The landlord clarified that the shopping plaza’s 115 parking spaces operated on a first-come, first-served basis, as they had during the pizza restaurant’s tenure. Despite this, the proposed addition of a small dumpster measuring approximately 3 feet by 9 feet would result in the loss of two parking spaces, reducing the total to 113.

50:58Waste management plans involved installing a dumpster enclosure consistent with those used by neighboring establishments. The board and applicant agreed that trash pickups would occur after 8:00 AM to minimize disturbances to nearby residents. The applicant also committed to maintaining a grease trap and checking the sewer laterals.

17:16In discussing the restaurant’s site plan, the architect highlighted cosmetic renovations, emphasizing a modern design with colors like gray, yellow, and red. Concerns about excessive window signage were raised, given past issues with nearby businesses. The applicant agreed to return to the board for review if new signage was proposed, maintaining consistency with existing aesthetic guidelines.

50:58The board also discussed a proposal to increase the zoning escrow amount for residential applications. The current fee of $450 would be doubled to $900 to cover rising professional costs. The clerk noted challenges in collecting additional escrow funds and explained that the increase would align River Edge with neighboring municipalities. Despite concerns about the impact on homeowners, the board generally supported the proposal, highlighting its potential to streamline the application process by minimizing the need for additional fund requests. The recommendation will be submitted to the mayor and council for approval.

Additionally, the board addressed potential conflicts of interest, emphasizing the importance of early identification and recusal to ensure transparency. A specific conflict involving cost engineering was mentioned, necessitating the appointment of a substitute engineer for future applications. Legal guidance was provided to clarify the types of conflicts that could arise under municipal land use and ethics laws. Members were encouraged to communicate any potential issues ahead of meetings to facilitate smoother proceedings.