At the forefront of the meeting, the application by South 9 Reality LLC represented a substantial alteration to the local landscape with the expansion of the auto repair center owned by Sar Desai. The plan involves converting a residential property into a parking lot to help accommodate the business’s growth. James M. Stankey, representing the applicant, along with the testimony of Desai, detailed the proposal, explaining the necessity of the expansion due to the increasing customer base and the need for additional parking space.

The auto center’s expansion plan included a discussion on the proposed parking lot that would provide 33 parking stalls, two of which would be ADA handicap parking stalls, with one stall also serving as an electric vehicle charging station. The board considered the applicant’s request for a waiver regarding the size of the loading stall, which deviated from the standard requirements. The proposed 15 by 30 feet dimensions were argued to better suit the delivery vehicles frequenting the business, as opposed to the standard 12 by 50 feet.

The trash enclosure discussion revealed plans for a 10×10 enclosure surrounded by a 6-foot high solid fence to screen it from view on three sides. The enclosure is designed to not only manage waste but also to blend with the aesthetics of the property.

Water management was another topic addressed in the discussion. The applicant presented the site’s existing drainage pattern, which naturally flows from west to east. Despite the site not falling under the classification of a development, there was a plan laid out to control the peak runoff for various storm events. The applicant proposed an underground detention basin with a pre-treatment device for efficient management of stormwater and sought a waiver to use High-Performance (HP) pipes instead of Reinforced Concrete Pipes (RCP), justifying the selection with industry standards and equivalency in load handling capabilities.

Lighting considerations were part of the application, with plans for existing and proposed light fixtures detailed. The applicant sought a waiver for the minimum light intensity. The fixtures proposed were full cut-off down lighting LED fixtures, with provisions for dimming and motion detectors to ensure energy efficiency and neighborly consideration.

Landscaping plans also formed a substantial part of the discussion. The applicant proposed a 20-foot buffer between the non-residential and residential areas, as opposed to the standard 50-foot requirement. The justification for the reduced buffer included existing site conditions and the necessity to maximize parking space. The landscaping plan featured the extension of an existing fence, along with the planting of shade trees, shrubs, and the use of decorative stone to enhance the site’s visual appeal. Additionally, a waiver was sought for the existing site sign, which did not conform to setback requirements.

The meeting also shone a light on previous violations issued by the borough zoning officer for the unauthorized use of a single-family house for parking. The site plan approval sought by the applicant aimed to rectify this issue. The board inquired about the applicant’s compliance with the conditions stated by Mr. Fowler and Mr. Cornell, and the applicant agreed to address these concerns.

Further discussions touched on the ownership of an 8-foot fence at the rear of the property, the potential expansion of auto sales, and the use of adjacent houses for auto-related businesses. The planner presenting the application described it as a “clean application” that promised improvements in parking, landscaping, and overall functionality.

Public comments included a resident who expressed support for the business expansion, emphasizing its value to the community. With the cooperation of the planning board and the applicant, the application was approved with the agreed-upon conditions and waivers.