Subdivision hearing tripped up by snafu
Chambers Road proposal notice incorrect
More than an hour into the presentation of plans and traffic surveys regarding the proposed development of 17 homes by J. Redmond off Chambers Road, it was discovered that the wrong notice had been submitted to newspapers for publication, and the proceeding came to a screeching halt under the direction of Township Attorney Frank Armenente.
The applicants, as well as the audience of approximately 50 residents, many of whom were there to protest the proposal, were stunned to hear Armenente explain that legal considerations would prevent the hearing from continuing. The correct legal notice will need to be published and the hearing will resume on May 28.
Although Chester DeLorenzo of Mid-State Engineering, Freehold, was slated to lead off presentation of plans regarding the development of the properties, he was detained and did not arrive on time. The applicant’s attorney, Anthony Russo, then asked traffic engineer Hal Simoff to discuss his findings regarding traffic considerations on Chambers Road, which is a narrow and somewhat winding road, with an embanked curve in an area close to the proposed development location.
Simoff discussed his survey results, based on observations of traffic volumes at various times of day and calculations designed to make adjustments for 17 additional homes, with at least two cars per home.
According to Simoff, traffic volumes are currently low, and the additional volume generated by the subdivision would not have significant impact. In his estimation, he explained, the subdivision would generate an extra 13 cars entering the subdivision from Chambers Road during peak evening hours, and 17 cars exiting the subdivision onto Chambers Road in the peak morning hours.
In response to questions concerning the embanked curve located to the north of the proposed development, Simoff commented that he felt there was no need to be concerned about the curve, provided a sign posting the speed limit was erected before the curve. There currently is no sign.
Planning board members Joseph Toscano, Ivan Olinsky, and Mayor David Horsnall, commented on conditions of Chambers Road, including the narrow width (between 14 and 18 feet wide in various areas), and the safety concerns that are raised by increasing the traffic along that road. Olinsky specifically mentioned travel by school buses, and Horsnall wondered about getting emergency vehicles through that area safely.
Residents Mary Margaret Panek and Randy Green, both Chambers Road residents, commented later about the impact of the development on a narrow road where the permitted speed limit is 50 mph.
As DeLorenzo began his testimony, Armenente discovered the error in publication of the legal notice, and the presentation was immediately halted.
During the public comment section of the meeting, resident Sue Kozel presented the board with a packet of information, which she described as being "environmental and historic preservation language to insert into the final master plan."
Kozel and her husband, Chris Berzinski, recently filed conflict of interest charges against board President Richard Stern and Alternate David Holmes with the Local Finance Board of the state Department of Community Affairs, with regard to the hearings on the master plan.
As the majority of residents in attendance filed out of the meeting, Kozel addressed a visibly irritated board, asking them to read the information she presented. It included five text sections, drawn from four sources, which she described as being appropriate for insertion in the final master plan revision.
Kozel explained the text sections, which she submitted for "consideration and discussion." She said, "These topics concentrate on reintroducing environmentally sound planning language back into the re-examination document, including historic preservation as a priority, and adopting a final master plan that promotes, and not undermines, the Country Code and Rural Character of Upper Freehold."
The board listened, mostly without comment, as Kozel stated that there was nothing in the master plan to discuss historic preservation.
As the meeting was prepared to adjourn, Township Planner Richard Coppola — who has carried the weight of seeming to have precipitated the battle over zoning by originally suggesting a change from two to four acres — cautioned Kozel about her latest approach to the master plan situation, saying that trying to "be too many things" could worsen an already difficult and complicated situation.