The Brookside project, pivotal in the efforts to combat local flooding issues, was a point of discussion. The commission is considering the removal of houses in flood-prone areas and the introduction of rain gardens to absorb stormwater. Members debated the permissible built-upon area and floor area ratios, weighing the benefits of these measures against potential tradeoffs.

Another issue was the persistent odor and emissions from the Tinton Falls reclamation center. The commission is focused on improving monitoring and response to these odors, with discussions around the effectiveness of existing methods and the need for technological advancements to ensure accurate detection. The possibility of New Jersey Natural Gas capturing gas at the site was also mentioned, along with staffing the Monmouth County Health Department with overnight workers to handle complaints.

This plan aims to analyze local resources, such as solar and wind, and to discuss grid resiliency and building decarbonization. The importance of community input in this process was underscored, and the potential for implementing solar panels was also discussed.

Further discussions included the management of odors emitted from a local landfill, with one suggestion being the implementation of composting programs to reduce waste. The commission also considered forming a subcommittee to assist with site plan reviews, debating the appropriate number of voting members and the need for public notice if additional participants expressed interest.

Additionally, the commission discussed local developments, including the possibility of new billboards, electronic signs, and businesses such as a car wash, gas station, and 7-Eleven. The upcoming Green Fest was highlighted as an opportunity to focus on sustainability initiatives, with plans to move public meetings to a local firehouse to revisit the list of initiatives. The debate covered the potential shift from single-stream recycling and the implications of a councilman’s departure from the planning board.