The digital billboard matter took center stage as the board grappled with the proposed structure’s size and visibility. Technical aspects such as the lighting study and proposed illumination levels were scrutinized, with the board seeking more information on the billboard’s impact from different vantage points. The discussion extended to the extent of necessary tree trimming and the need to secure approval from neighboring property owners.

The Royal Coachman’s application was also a focal point of the meeting. The applicant plans for using an existing parking lot to store and prepare a fleet of around 20 vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, vans, and buses. Despite no major disputes surfacing during the initial presentation, local residents raised concerns during the public comments section. Issues such as the number of vehicles, environmental risks like oil leakage, and the adequacy of the community notification process were discussed. A chief civil and environmental engineer provided clarity on the proposed layout, which included modifications to accommodate larger vehicles and the addition of electric vehicle charging stations.

Further complicating the Royal Coachman’s application were questions about the current use of the parking area and the discrepancy in vehicle counts presented by the applicant and observed by a witness. The board delved into details regarding parking space adjustments for larger vehicles and the distance between those spaces and the property line. The planner’s testimony attempted to assure the board, emphasizing the remote location and screening of the site, the inclusion of EV charging stations, and the alignment with the 2020 master plan that encourages repurposing office sites for energy conservation.

Access to Cherry Hill Road and related traffic concerns were also broached, with the board weighing the implications of a potential accident on the road and the subsequent effects on egress through neighboring communities. The layout of buildings on Green Street and the response to an accident were considered, and the public inquired about the size and number of buses, as well as the necessity to submit plans to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The meeting concluded with the board granting preliminary and final major site plan approval and a variance for the Royal Coachman’s construction, after addressing concerns about the visibility of the shed, the impact on public parking, and the elimination of parking spaces. The resolution passed encompassed conditions related to lighting, signage, and stormwater management. Notably, the board entered an executive session, requiring members of the public to vacate the room.