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 The Township Committee on Monday night approved the controversial plan to allow housing to be built on
the site of the former police station on Dunnell Road. In a 5-0 vote, the TC agreed to amend the plan to include all of the
changes recommended by the Planning Board (they are below), according to TC Member Jerry Ryan. "I think that the meetings have been very useful and very productive. We have
heard from a lot of people with good ideas on how to improve the plan for this property," Ryan said after the meeting.
"We've changed the plan to incorporate the Planning Board's recommendations, which I think represents an improvement
to the overall plan. We are still very early in this process, but I feel very positive about the public input that we have
received so far. I look forward to the next step where we see real plans for the site." The Planning Board last week approved the initial
plan, but offered the changes that include a 42-foot building and a 25-foot setback, as well as protection of trees. A second
TC vote for final approval is set for Dec. 1.
See the original housing
option plan HERE. A group calling itself "Save Memorial Park" has also
launched a blog in its protest against the housing plan. See it HERE.
Even with
approval, however, the TC has to choose a developer and a specific project plan to be adopted before anything is built.
The Planning Board report on the plan issued last week is below: Township
of Maplewood Planning Board MEMORANDUM November 12, 2009 TO:
Township Committee Cc:
Roger Desiderio, Township Attorney
Joseph Manning, Township Administrator
Robert Bratt, Acting Township Engineer
Liz Fritzen, Township Clerk
Planning Board members FROM: Tom Carlson,
Planning Board Chair RE:
PB Review of Draft -Dunnell Road Police Building Redevelopment Plan Pursuant
to the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, NJSA 40A:12A et seq., the Planning Board, at its meetings of October 13, 2009
and November 10, 2009, held a review of the Draft Dunnell Road Police Building Redevelopment Plan of September 2009, prepared
by the Metro Company, LLC. The Redevelopment Plan was referred to the Planning Board for review by Ordinance # 2604-09. Board
members present were: Thomas Carlson, John Branigan, James Nathenson, Craig Miller, Deryck Palmer, Eric Burbank, Nancy Adams,
Lester Lewis-Powder, Richard Greenberg (Alt 1) and Mayor DeLuca, present as the Class I representative. The
Planning Board made the following finding regarding consistency with the Master Plan: - Citing several
of the Goals and Objectives listed in the Master Plan, including the promoting of market rate residential development and
enhancing future development that could incorporate sustainability, the majority of the Planning Board found that the Redevelopment
Plan is generally consistent with the Master Plan. John Branigan dissented, stating that in his view the Redevelopment Plan
was not consistent with the Master Plan's provisions regarding Historic Preservation, optimizing the use of Public property,
promoting sustainability and maintaining the character of the community.
On a motion by Deryck Palmer and
seconded by Craig Miller the Board voted by general consent that the Redevelopment Plan is consistent with the Master Plan.
Negative (1) John Branigan The Planning Board made the following recommendations regarding the provisions
of the draft Redevelopment Plan: - Restrict the total allowable height to the highest roof or accessory
rooftop element to no more than 50 ft. In making this recommendation, the board cited the definition of Building Height in
Section 271-3 of the Maplewood zoning ordinance, which allows an additional 20% in overall height for rooftop elements such
as chimneys, flagpoles, roof-access shuttles, elevator penthouses, utility equipment such as air-conditioning units or other
mechanical equipment, etc. Thus the board's recommendation is to impose a permitted Building Height of approximately 42 feet,
with an additional allowance of approximately 8feet for accessory rooftop elements, in accordance with the definition of Section
271-3.
On a motion by Deryck Palmer and seconded by Nancy Adams the Board Voted by general consent that the
height be restricted to 50 feet all inclusive. Abstention (1) Mayor DeLuca - In general, reduce the scale and
mass of the allowable development to more appropriately keep in accord with the character of the neighborhood.
On
a motion by Deryck Palmer and seconded by Craig Miller the Board voted by general consent that within the Redevelopment Plan
strong consideration be given to the concern regarding mass and scale. Abstention (1) Mayor DeLuca - Require
a minimum front yard setback of 25 feet.
On a motion by Nancy Adams and seconded by Eric Burbank, the Board
voted by general consent to require a 25 foot front yard setback. Abstention (1) Mayor DeLuca - Insofar
as possible, protect and preserve the mature trees situated at the rear of the property on the embankment.
On
a motion by John Branigan and seconded by Richard Greenberg the Board voted by general consent to recommend that the protection
of mature trees at the rear of the property in the embankment should be stressed. Abstention (1) Mayor DeLuca. The
Planning Board made the following recommendation concerning the provisions of municipal zoning for the properties in the immediate
neighborhood of the Redevelopment Area in question: - Modify the zoning provisions for the immediate
neighborhood, along the west side of Dunnell Road, to be consistent with the bulk requirements of the Redevelopment Plan,
particularly with respect to allowable height and minimum front yard setback. In making this recommendation, the board cited
the desirability of developing a unified planning vision for the neighborhood.
On a motion by Deryck Palmer
and seconded by Craig Miller the Board Voted by general consent to recommend modifying the zoning on the nearby properties
to be consistent with the Redevelopment Plan. Abstention (1) Mayor DeLuca
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