The meeting began with the board deliberating on proposed changes to setback requirements for HVAC units and standby generators. The Land Use Zoning Officer highlighted revisions to the code, emphasizing the need for appropriate distances from property lines to minimize disturbances to neighbors. A suggestion was made to include a “three-foot solid fence” for screening purposes, and board members agreed on the need to refine existing ordinances related to accessory structures. The discussion concluded with a consensus to format these revisions into a formal ordinance for submission to the council, without any objections.

Another agenda item was the proposed increase in the escrow fee for site plan reviews of retail food establishments, where no property changes occur. The current fee of $375 was deemed inadequate, often exhausted quickly after hearings, necessitating follow-up escrow increases. It was proposed to increase the fee to $700, with clarification sought on whether this would be a refundable deposit. The confirmation that it would be refundable if not fully used led to a unanimous agreement to recommend the increase to the council.

The board opted not to proceed with the memorialization of the KCK Bagel Shop resolution due to unresolved escrow payments. The Land Use Attorney advised against moving forward until the financial matters were settled.

The meeting then shifted focus to the continuation of the IAT Services LLC application for a static billboard installation on Grand Avenue, a matter carried over from a previous meeting. The project engineer was ready to provide further testimony, supported by an updated survey depicting the relationship of the site to the Route 4 right-of-way. The survey detailed the property’s frontage along the Route 4 right-of-way and marked the property boundary and the Department of Transportation right-of-way. Additionally, revised site plans included key changes, such as the illustration of the Route 4 right-of-way and the limit of disturbance for the proposed foundation, crucial for a Bergen County soil exemption application.

The discussion also covered the proposed lighting for the billboard, addressing concerns about potential light spillage onto adjacent properties. The engineer had acquired additional specifications from the lighting vendor to support previous testimony, detailing the lighting configuration and its impact. However, technical difficulties arose when an individual, identified as Mr. Si, encountered connectivity issues, disrupting the presentation. Despite several attempts to resolve the problem, including suggestions to switch to a phone connection or restart his computer, the disruptions persisted.

After approximately thirty minutes of troubleshooting efforts, it was decided that the meeting would be adjourned and carried over to October 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall, with no further public notice required. The board emphasized the importance of keeping the public informed about the rescheduled meeting and discussed plans to ensure accessibility for those unable to attend, including the availability of video recordings.

During the discussion about the rescheduled date, a conflict was raised by a participant from Darkstar Developers, noting the unavailability of himself and their planner on October 8. Despite these conflicts, the board resolved to proceed with the meeting as planned, assuring that necessary witnesses would be available for follow-up questions. The board also confirmed an additional meeting on October 22, providing another opportunity for participation.