BY LARRY HLAVENKA JR.
Staff Writer
HOWELL – Noting the concerns of residents and members of the Township Council, township planner Charles Newcomb has drafted a new hotel and conference center ordinance.
The revisions were made after some residents and officials objected to a proposed ordinance regarding hotels and conference centers in a highway development zone; specifically a developer’s proposal to build a Holiday Inn at Route 9 north and Northwoods Place near Interstate 195.
Newcomb presented the new draft of the hotel-conference center ordinance at the council’s April 4 workshop meeting.
Among the significant changes:
+ The height restriction has been lowered to four stories with a height of no more than 50 feet. In the previous ordinance, the height limit was six stories with a height of no more than 70 feet.
Residents who commented on the initial proposal in recent weeks expressed concern that very tall structures would detract from the look of the community.
+ The structure must rest on a minimum of 5 acres, up from 3 acres in the previous ordinance.
+ For every employee who works at a hotel, the ordinance would require one parking space. Previously, there was no provision for employees. Also, every three seats of banquet space will require one parking space. Formerly, every four seats required one parking space.
+ Newcomb also added stipulations regarding the length of stay in a hotel. The maximum number of days a person can stay is proposed at 14 days. The minimum number of hours a person can stay in the hotel is 24. Newcomb said this would prevent a hotel from becoming a less desirable facility.
Councilman Robert Walsh said “this is a lot more restrictive,” but still questioned the proposed 250-foot minimum lot width. He said 250 feet is too narrow for a large hotel.
Newcomb said that consideration had been noted, but said many other variables would prevent a developer from building a large structure with a width of only 250 feet.
Walsh still questioned the plan and said he hopes to participate in further debate during the coming months.
Councilman Juan Malave agreed.
“I’m sure we’re going to see more discussion on this,” he said. “This is a work in progress, but this is certainly an improvement.”
Mayor Joseph DiBella requested that Newcomb present another draft to the council at its May workshop meeting. He said members of the public can address their concerns again on that date.
The mayor said he hopes to have a final draft of the ordinance ready for presentation in June.
In other business, residents hoping to catch up with the activities of the Township Council, Planning Board and other governmental bodies may soon have the opportunity to obtain DVD recordings of the meetings.
However, they will pay a price.
This proposal was presented at the workshop meeting as well. Originally drafted by Township Manager Thomas Czerniecki to carry a $25 charge per DVD, members of the council and public agreed that fee was too high.
“I think it’s a little steep,” Walsh said. “A disc costs 50 cents and we have access to these meetings for nothing. You can get a brand-new DVD feature-length movie for $12. I don’t think we can charge $25.”
DiBella agreed.
“We can’t make people not have access to these because of the price,” he said, adding that “$10 is a more reasonable number.”
After the council came to a consensus of $10 for a DVD recording of a meeting, Czerniecki said he would draft a new proposal.
DiBella also said officials hope to provide streaming video of meetings for viewing over the Internet in the future.
Also during the workshop meeting, Township Engineer William Nunziato discussed the road improvement plan, which is ongoing. Nunziato said roads that were in need of repair have been noted and temporary fixes, such as pothole filling, have been initiated.
DiBella said the township has been “fairly responsive” and hoped the program will continue to address the complaints that have been received.