The most contentious topic revolved around the approval of soil moving permits, particularly for a property located on Atlantic Drive. The property owner sought the board’s approval for the removal and addition of soil to level their lot. However, the discussion quickly turned to the nature of the fill material, with questions about its cleanliness and potential contamination. Concerns were raised by a resident who admitted to lacking documentation confirming that the soil brought from Denville was certified clean. “I cannot confirm I do not have any documentation about that,” the resident stated.

Board members emphasized the importance of certifying the fill material to ensure it was free of contamination, especially given the potential for adverse effects on neighboring properties. They suggested that the approval of the application be contingent upon soil testing. One member highlighted the necessity of this step, noting that certain areas in Denville could contain contaminated soil. The resident agreed to work with the township engineer to address any issues if the soil was found to be contaminated.

Neighboring property owners also expressed their concerns. Jim Scaria, a resident from 185 Field Crest Road, spoke about significant water runoff affecting his property due to the soil addition. “Once the dirt was added, your lot was 5 feet higher than my lot,” Scaria pointed out, emphasizing the resultant water accumulation on his property. Another resident, Doug Carter from 195 Field Crest Road, described the added fill as “excessive and problematic,” noting the presence of “mounds of rocks and rubble in the backyard that are 10 to 12 feet high.” Carter expressed a desire for recourse if the drainage system installed did not resolve the runoff issues satisfactorily.

The board assured residents that the law prohibits any additional runoff onto neighboring properties and they would closely monitor the situation. They also discussed the possibility of increasing the escrow amounts for engineering review, recognizing that the usual performance guarantee of $2,000 might not suffice for potential repairs.

In another significant matter, the board reviewed a master plan consistency for Ordinance 2024-14. This ordinance proposed amendments to zoning chapter 430-1347 to address high vacancy rates in the office market by diversifying allowed uses in the P OD Zone. The amendment aimed to permit assembly and manufacturing of products from standardized parts to occupy up to 40% of the gross floor area of a building, provided operations did not emit detectable odors, noise, or other disturbances beyond the building’s boundaries. The board deemed the proposal consistent with the township’s master plan, emphasizing the importance of reusing office spaces and exploring alternative uses to align with modern market trends.

A motion was made to recommend the approval of the ordinance, which passed unanimously. Following this, the board moved on to approve resolutions for two applications: one for Silven LLC, with minor typographical changes, and another for a soil moving permit for WH Holdings.

The board also addressed application number 24-512 for SK3 Century Associates, which involved a major soil moving permit for the construction of a new warehouse. The applicant planned to move approximately 15,000 cubic yards of soil, with only 400 cubic yards to be moved offsite. The board did not foresee the need for special restrictions on the movement of materials due to the low number of trucks involved and approved the permit unanimously.

Another soil moving permit application discussed was for Block 205 Lot 4, presented by a substitute engineer named Sammy from Infinity Engineering Corporation. The application sought approval for the removal of approximately 150 cubic yards of soil to level the property and install a drainage area to alleviate water accumulation issues affecting a neighboring lot. Concerns were raised about the fill material, which included clay, sandy gravel, and debris such as brick and asphalt. The board stressed the importance of ensuring that the fill material was suitable and not contaminated.

Finally, the board reviewed a minor site plan for Paul Miller at 220 to 250 Route 46, proposing the installation of a security gate system. The gates aimed to enhance security and prevent unauthorized access while ensuring emergency access for fire trucks. The proposal was approved unanimously after confirming it would not affect existing drainage systems or traffic patterns.