Happy new year everybody. Welcome to the Hesport Township joint land use board reorganization meeting of January 7th, 2026. First order of business is
to flag United States of America and to the stands nationis according to the open public meetings act. Next item of business is township committee resolutions.
Um we have two resolutions that are appointments and then we have a list of mayor's appointments that I will uh address. First resolution is county township resolution 2025-167-12.
It is uh recognizing a mayor's appointment of class alternate member to the joint land use board uh Anthony Porto as class 4 alternate number four citizen of the municipality a two-year
term to expire on December 31st 2026. Next resolution is 2026-6-1 appointing the class three member to the Joint Land Use Board. Uh Karen Troy, class three governing body member, one
year term to expire on December 31st, 2026. The next is a list of the mayor's appointments for the J joint land use board members. Class one, mayor or mayor's designate for a one-year term expiring 1231 2026,
Michael Morelli. Class 2, an official of a one-year term expiring 1231 2026. Paula Costco our administrator class 4 citizen of municipality 4year
term expiring 1231 2029 Steve Novarita class 4 citizen of the municipality a 4year term expires 1231 2028 Janice Le
Alternate number one, citizen of the municipality, a 2-year term that expires 1231, 2027. Leela Gilmore, class 4, alternate number two, citizen of the municipality, a 2-year term, expires
1231, 2027, Howard Holden. At this time, I would like to ask Mr. Kingsbury if we give all the new appointees, the minister, and the oath of office, please. Okay, the
new members are members starting a new term. Michael Morelli Costco, Karen Tory, Janice Luton, Bay Gilmore, Howard Holden, and Anthony Porto. If you would stand, raise your right hand, please.
you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States, Constitution of the State of New Jersey, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to both and the governments established in the United States and in the state of New Jersey
under authority of the people that you will faithfully impartially and justly perform all the duties of office of Hannesport Township Joint Land Use Board Member to the best of your abilities to help you Congratulations. >> Next we will have a roll call.
>> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. >> Mr. Morali. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Miss here. >> Mrs. Gilmore. >> Mr.
Mr. Mai. >> Mr. Mr. M >> here. >> The next order of business would be nomination for chairperson for 2026. I have a nomination. Are there any further
roller. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. Leelli. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. Murphy. I'm sorry. Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes.
>> Miss. >> Yes. >> And Mr. M. >> Yes. >> Congratulations, Mr. McKay, on your appointment as chairman. And if you could take over the meeting at this time, please. >> Thank you, Paula.
>> All yours. >> And thank you for the nomination. Appreciate it. I'm honored by it. I'll try to do my best to serve you well in the coming year. Uh we're continuing on item number eight in the reorganization meeting agenda.
I'll call for a nomination for vice chair for 2026. I'll nominate Steveo. May I have a second? >> A second. >> Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, we'll move the nominations
be closed and a vote taken. >> I'm sorry. Second, Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mrs. Levy. Yes. Mr. Yes, >> Mr.
>> Yes. >> Mr. R. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. And Mr. M. >> Yes. Next on our agenda, we have the appointment of secretary for 2026.
And I will I will move that uh Paul Tyiver be appointed as the board secretary for 2026. >> I'll second that. >> Mr. May,
>> yes. >> Mr. >> Mrs. Mrs. M. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. R Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mr. Seas. >> Yes. >> Well, I I I didn't bother this to ask if
there were any other nominations. >> I don't think >> because I don't think there's anyone else who could do your job as well as you do. Certainly. All right. Uh item number 10 is the appointment of professional staff. And of course, we have three council, uh,
our engineer, and our planner. Uh, so let's deal with council first. Um, may I have a nomination for council? >> I'll nominate Bob. >> Second.
>> Are there any other nominations? Hearing none, we'll close the nominations for council and take a vote. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Mori? >> Yes. >> Mr. Aras? >> Yes. >> And Mr. M? >> Yes. Uh, next um we have a nomination for township planner. May I have nomination,
please? to nominate. >> All right. And I assume that that includes Tower Design Group. All right. Any second? >> A second. >> Are there any other nominations?
Hearing none. We close the nominations and take a vote. >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. No. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le? >> Yes. Mr. Mori? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. R. Murphy?
Yes. And >> yes. Uh, finally, we have uh the joint land use board engineer. Um, do we have a nomination for that position? >> Yes. I'd like to nominate Michael with Remington and Vick.
>> Second. Roll call. >> Mrs. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Le? Yes. >> Mr. Morelli? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ji? >> Yes. >> Mr. or Murphy? Yes, >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes, >> yes, and Mr. MC.
>> Yes. Well, thank you to uh board for these votes, and we look forward to working with all three of you in the coming year. >> Thank you. >> All right, Paul. Uh item 11 is the dates, times, and meetings for 2026.
Now, are you going to post that or >> Yes, it will be published. It will be put on the website. There are some changes about noticing that's going to be happening that's required by law in uh March, right? That's there's going to be a spot on our
website the public notices are going to go. >> Okay. >> Uh but it will also be published in the county. >> All right. And for the general public, uh generally speaking, the meetings are the first Wednesday of every month, but there are a few exceptions. >> Yes, there are uh four noted on here
that are Thursdays, which are March 12th, J July 9th and November 5th. It is their Thursdays. >> And as as before in prior years, we our meeting will start at 6:30. >> Correct.
>> All right. Uh item number 12, uh we we must announce and select a official newspaper for notices. >> Yes. >> And are we is the town suggesting the Burlington County Times for this? >> Yes.
Um Bob, do we need to take a motion to accept times or adopt the times as the >> Yeah. Okay. So, um may I have a motion to approve the Burlington County Times as the official newspaper for publication of notice?
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Mr. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Le. Yes, >> Mr. Morelli. >> Yes, >> Mr. R. Murphy. >> Yes, >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes, >> Miss Pasco.
>> Yes, >> Mr. M. >> Yes. Let me just go back up to 11 and ask for a motion uh to adopt the dates and times of the meeting place of this meeting uh for 2026
uh pursuant to the explanation given by Paula just a moment ago. Motion, please. So moved. >> Roll call. >> Mrs. Mr. No. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. >> Mr. Morelli.
>> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Miss. >> Yes. >> Mr. McG. >> Yes. Uh now, um we have for many years had a rule here that all new business
requiring the board's professional staff must uh have their paperwork in professional staff's hands at least 30 days prior to the meeting. Um can I have a motion to adopt that rule for 2026?
>> Second. Second >> and roll call. >> Mrs. Mrs. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Morelli. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Yes.
>> Most. >> Yes. >> Thank you for that. >> Well, it's a it's a good rule and we've established it as a working a good rule from past experience this past year. Uh
the next motion that that I need uh is to formalize a rule that we've also had in place for many years, the no new business being started um after 10:30 p.m. in the evening. Um
may I have a motion to adopt that rule for 2026? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. Second roll call. >> Missury. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Mr. >> Yes.
>> M. >> Yes. Mr. Morelli. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ji. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. Murphy. >> Yes. >> Mr. M. >> Yes. Now finally we have a res resolution
uh that is uh that is writing that should should be in your packet. Uh resolution 2026-01. This is a resolution establishing a policy regarding postponement of applications. And I'll just summarize it briefly. Um
after two postponement requests by an applicant, uh the applicant's attorney or the applicant will be advised that the application is not in a position to proceed to a hearing at the next joint land use board meeting. Uh the application will be subject to dismissal
or denial without prejudice and uh this resolution or a copy of it uh will be included in the information packet provided to all applicants. This resolution should also be forwarded forformational purposes to the township
administrator and to uh the uh township committee. You have a copy of this resolution already drafted in your packet. I have a motion to adopt. Same >> motion.
Roll call, please. Yes, Mr. >> Yes, >> Mrs. Mrs. Moroni. >> Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes, >> Mr. Murphy. >> Yes, >> Mr. C. Murphy. >> Mr. M. >> Yes.
Item 16 uh on the agenda uh calls for professional comments. Are there All right, public comment. Public comment time. Are there any members of the public? I see two sitting out in the in the gallery uh
that have any comments that they would like to make at this time. Both indicate no. Um online, do we have any any uh people online that wish to make a comment. If so, unmute.
>> Make your comment. >> There's no one no one online. >> All right. Uh the next category on our agenda would be board comments. Any comments by the board? >> I actually would like to take an
opportunity to um introduce uh Mr. Morelli to the land use board. Um just a little bit of information. Do you mind if I share with the group? No, I abs I I spoke with Mr. Mr. Morell a little bit just when he came in just to say hello, but I'd love to know more.
>> Sure. So, normally this appointment is uh the mayor or their design, which has traditionally been a member, another member of the governing body, but as Paula said earlier, this is the first time in her tenure that she's had this experience. So, it's it's it's really neat to be a part of this. Um, but uh
Mayor Dick did appoint uh Mr. Morelli to the board. Um he was uh board of education president for 11 years. I think recently you stopped at the with the board of education >> two years ago. >> Two years ago, but he survived COVID
being involved with the school. So great job. >> A lot of things survived. >> Um also very active in Sacred Heart CIO. Um he was the HOA president for the Creek View Association. Um he's a graduate of St. Joseph University uh with a degree in marketing and for over
25 years has been doing marketing and sales. Um he's been a resident here for 22 years. Uh lives off of Beacon Road. What is the name of your community? >> I'm on Longfellow. It's Beacon Hill. >> Beacon Hill. That's right. >> I originally lived in Creek, >> right? Number
>> um and you'll be getting all of your roads paid soon. So your entire community. So um congratulations on that. >> Yes. Congratulations. >> Yeah. So, I don't know if there was anything else you wanted to add, but I just >> No, I appreciate the opportunity that Andy gave me. Uh, I saw the post on
Facebook and I wanted to get back involved with the town after it was 11 years on the school board, nine of which were president. Um, it was very rewarding for me, but at the end with CO and just the way that some people have been acting over those last few years,
the stress of I I needed to walk away and the kids were out of school. Um, but After two years of, you know, kind of hanging back, I decided it was time to get back in. I come from a a family of people that have, you know, done public
service throughout the years. My father was mayor of the town that I grew up in. Kind of instilled that in in all of us. I'm the only one out of four that's actually stepped up to do any of this stuff. So, I appreciate look forward to working with you. I apologize up front if I don't understand something. I'll
ask questions, but I appreciate everybody's patience with me and I appreciate the opportunity uh to fill in for >> Is that a for? >> Yes. Roll tie. >> My son is My son is a uh I've gotten used to it. I spent the last week in LA
for uh the Rose Bowl. But um my son is a freshman at Alabama, so paying 50 grand a year, I am all in. >> Forget about St. Joe's. I didn't pay for St. Joe's. on my dad's Alabama. I'm all in Tiger Stan. Our daughter went to
Clemson. >> And your daughter goes to school down in Maryland. >> Uh yeah, my daughter goes to college. Uh she's a art student down. >> Nice. We're happy to have you. Welcome. >> Yeah. Welcome. And welcome everybody back to the board. Those those who've
been on the board before and new new appointment. Um we have public comment. But there really is no one here to make any comments and no one online still. >> No one's online.
>> All right. So, and I have a motion to adjourn this reorganization meeting. Uh we will take a five minute break. No more than that. And then we will go right into the regular meeting. >> Motion. >> Motion. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Roll call. All in favor? >> I I >> no. All right. God, justice for all.
>> Um, next next issue on the agenda would be the reading of the sunshine law. Paula, can you do us a favor? Notice that this meeting was published in accordance with the open public meeting. >> All right. Uh we have a regular announcement that we've had in previous
years and for many years that there will be no new business started after 10:30 p.m. Can I have a roll call? >> Mrs. Mr. >> here >> Mr. Mori >> here. >> Mr. here,
>> Mr. Murphy. >> Mr. Cury >> here, >> Miss >> here, >> Mrs. Gilmore, >> Mr. Holden, >> Mr. McCr, >> and Mr. McKay >> here. >> All right, we'll move on the agenda to
items for business. Number a um a discussion of the 2025 Hannesport Joint Land Use Board annual report which you should have in your packet. Uh it includes a schedule two pages of three
three pages of schedules of the activities uh and actions that board took during the year 2025. Um Paula, would you be so kind as to just give us a a quick snapshot of of
how this report is put together? And >> um you have a part of the chart is there is a list of all the applications that we have heard and the decisions that we have made on those applications.
The one chart is just to put it in reference to you so you can the number of variances. And when I say like the number of variances, you can have several variances with one application, but it's included on this chart as one variance. And what the board needs to actually do
is look at the things that we uh reviewed and approved or denied uh over the course of the year. And if you recommend any changes, uh we would put this in the annual report to the township committee.
such things as you're readopting the same things over and over again. >> Um, thank you. U, this report uh is it'll be sent to the township committee. >> Correct. It will be attracted to the
resolution 26-2. >> Right. And um will that be is that resolution something that we need to to pass today or can it be carried till next month? next month if you would like.
>> Okay. The reason I ask is that the proposed resolution does have a a blank at the bottom a blank space at the bottom of the first page for any recommendations uh for zoning ordinance amendments or
revisions. >> Correct. >> Um and so this gives an opportunity for um the committee or members of the board I should say u but also our professionals to
think about recommendations if any that could be added or should be added. Um so what I would like to do Paula is put this on the agenda for next month. >> Okay. >> And the agenda item can simply be um
gathering recommendations uh to add to resolution 2026-1. And uh then over the the course of the next month, think about it, come up with some ideas if any. And
that's that's doesn't mean that you have to have an idea. Doesn't mean we have to change things, but if there are recommendations that are worthy, we should hear them. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um
Paul, all the information on these charts that would be that would be gathered by you from the from the records of the town. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And if anybody has any questions on any of them, please feel free to call. >> Yeah. I I imagine people are only seeing
this today or a short time ago perhaps, but um we can we can also save questions for this agenda item next month. >> Yes, sir. All right. Um,
can I uh can I ask for uh uh input from professionals at this point as to whether they they they might be thinking about some recommendations to make. I really Yeah, Kathy's input on this can can be
important. I think you have a good idea of any procedural changes that could be made or recommended that would improve the process. >> So, It worked out very well. reason.
small. It is not scenario. Well, that would be very helpful. Thank you. All right. Um, that takes care of item 6A on the agenda. Um,
6B and 6 C >> I think can be treated together. Um and um probably ask for comment by our planner on this, but um these are two
ordinances um that need to be reviewed by the board for master plan consistency review. And um these ordinances um are connected with our fourth round
of affordable housing obligations. The public body committee will have a public hearing on both of these ordinances or have had one already on December the 9th and they've approved these ordinances. Uh but the board needs
to discuss these ordinances uh and by motion and resolution reflect their approval of these ordinances. retroactive to the date the town
actually passed them, December 9th, 2025. These relate to the master plan and more specifically Paintport's housing element and fair share plan and they involve two
sites in town which should be familiar to uh everyone. One is the former Hitco property which is that wedge of land across from
the bus barn, school bus barn, Wolf Wolfington's um where Creek Road branches off Route 38. The other site is a little bit harder to describe, but it's over by the
intersection of the MN Highway in Maryland Avenue. And that would be a site available for multi-unit housing. Both of these units,
both of these lots, uh, would would involve substantial contributions to the affordable housing plan. Scott, could you just give a short synopsis of the
background of these two lots and why it's important that we do 24. Govern We're now projected sites. as part of the
legal just a master These two elements of that property. said that substance. Oh my gosh. Not only are not inconsistent, they are actually
critical. All right. Any questions of our planner on this on this issue? finish, two years, three years.
Well, I'll answer that a couple Part of the question. When are we going to have to do this? No, we're we're in the process of uh proving that we are in compliance and moving towards all the items that Fairshare Housing has objected to. They
haven't really objected. They just asked for additional information. um they seem to be pretty happy with what we've presented to them. Um so and that is just you know showing that we have site control, showing that we've moved forward on um or completed our round
three um that we're prepared and in good standing for our round four um obligation um which is >> I was going to ask you could you give the board a sense of our yes fair housing obligation? So, our round four
perspective need is 74 um credits. I want to be very clear that doesn't mean units. That means 74 credits. Um we have opportunities for bonus credits and things like that. And while they've changed slightly um compared to round three, there still are
opportunities for additional credits. So, when people hear 74, they think 74 units, that's not always the case. Um but we have um our senior Estates which has already been approved and authorized. I think that they're getting
ready to they've already started meeting with Kathy's office. Um we're able to utilize 17 credits from from that um project towards our round four. Um the Hitgo and the adjacent site which is shown up on the screen. Um we're
proposing 35 units with with a bonus of 18 and then um supportive needs housing uh which is four units and that brings us up to 74. And we do have um a few units that we do need to make up from round
three and we want to do that with additional supportive housing veterans homes. Um just a personal observation read in the papers and probably other people do read in the papers towns seemingly getting into trouble with superior court
judges who say essentially you're in violation of your COA obligations and those towns have to face those kinds of consequences as a result of that.
Where do we stand? Are we in Are we in trouble? >> No, we actually um became round three compliant two years ago, which was just shy of the end of the comp of the uh that round period. So, you know, we actually brought Hannesport Township
into compliance. Um which was a very big deal for Hannesport. Um >> I wanted to switch over to Scott or maybe even Bob on this. Hypothetically speaking, if a town fails compliance on these
issues, what kind of penalties are potential for the town? Yes, >> we asked for significantly less and fair share came back. We did go back and
fight it and but unfortunately if I can just interrupt really quickly um the builder association intervened and sued counter counterprotested everyone's number even though fair share agreed with us they counter they counter
interveneed so we had to settle um so I think we reduced it from 77 to 74 um it's not a lot but it's a lot for little Hannesport and it's a lot more than what a lot of towns did not do they did Not
settle or fight. process. We did a housing sites This is the mechanism. Do any members of the board have any questions that they would not like to ask at this point or any of the
professionals on on these issues? >> We're anticipating there will be and they can use different calculations. They they can look at see we did a vacant land assessment because the map that they use to determine what a town's perspective need
is was based on 2020 and if you recall all the actions of the land use board since 2020 has been great. We've had a lot of development in 2020. So, a lot of what they thought was vacant land is no longer vacant land in Hannesport. So, that significantly reduced our available
vacant land. And that's the basis of our argument and our fighting with them about it. And that's and they did accept it. Um, but the point is is that, you know, what they choose to utilize in terms of uh criteria for for round five,
we don't know. Um, who knows what will happen in 10 years. You know, the landscape could change. The landscape changed during the Chris Christie administration. He he eliminated COA. So, that delayed things quite a bit, but it didn't eliminate the
round three mandate. We still had to meet that requirement and we are a few short. Uh, which we are going to we are going to meet that need here shortly. But getting back to Mr. question. There's not necessarily a specific timeline when this has to
happen, but we do have to show that we are um moving forward properly um with with these plants and then we have site control and agreements in place and our plan in place. >> Any other questions or close the
discussion? >> Yep. Well, an owner of piece of farmland that's not deed restricted has every right to sell it. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. >> Vacancy is in the eye of the beholder. I
mean, I agree with you. Um, But if I could and so a lot of the challenges that a lot of the communities are having are these inclusionary developments. What we see up the street on Lauren Highway, what we see on Route 38, that's inclusionary.
75 80 75 to 80% of those homes are market rate the balance of 20 25 20% I think it's 20 are affordable so you have that much new development
where only 20% of the obligation is being met that is exactly what we're not doing here it's our plan that we've presented to the board that they have approved has been uh focusing on 100% affordable so that we can meet our obligation without also saturating the
community with 80% more market rate which obviously affects our schools affects our services affects our infrastructure affects everything in a different way. So we feel that this is a meaning these are meaningful projects um that is uh meeting our obligation in the
most efficient effective way and and satisfying fair share housing and the state's mandate. Paul, you you're referring to I think uh the development in Mount Laurel along 38 between Kport and Park Road. >> Yes. And I'm sure Scott can probably
identify tons of projects throughout the county, Medford >> all over. Do you know do you know how the balance is divided up in the apartment and single family home
development by um Walmart >> Walters Group has 100% affordable in there and then there's also then there's also inclusionary so it's both. >> All right. Um
yes Mr. Porto go ahead. So they sent a letter out to the entire state asking the towns to join the coalition and and invest provide funding to help that. Um we respectfully did not participate as well as the other 540
municipalities in the state. Um I was participating in weekly calls with those um attorneys and um professionals, planners and other administrators um just listening in, not really um actively
participating. Um, obviously they're all objecting to the process that is being used. Um, and some of those individuals are the ones who form that coalition. So, we did talk about that with our solicitor and um, he just advised that we don't participate. We see what
happens. Let them do the leg work. Let them invest the money and and we'll we'll benefit from it as well. But I don't really remember enough of um Yeah, John, our solicitor does not feel that that's going to be successful.
Yeah. Any other comments or questions by the board? Otherwise, I'd like to move on. We have two resolutions. Um one for Hitco and the other for the highway property, but we'll deal with those at
the end of the at the end of the meeting in the in the rest of the res with the rest of the resolutions if you don't mind. Uh, next I'm going to ask Janice Luton to speak up at this time um on
uh items uh item 6D, the Hannesport Environmental Commission report. And Janice is hobbled by a recent hip operation. Hip replacement. >> Hip replacement. Yes. >> Which um sounds like it's going to improve her quality of life. But without
standing or moving around too much, can you talk to us about >> the environmental commission uh report >> from here? Um but yes, um the hopefully you got a copy of the year-end report and um since one of the
uh things that we do at our meetings, um is go over the site plans um and we appreciate that opportunity to look over the site plans for anything that might be of environmental concern or or recommendations to do with the environment. Um so I I wanted to make
sure that you all had a copy of the report. Um and um the two things I'll highlight just to keep things brief are um Tish Kelly who um I'm taking her seat, but she was a founding member of the environmental commission and on uh
our our commission for many many years decades and also on the joint land use board. She retired after many years and um but she's continuing to come to our meetings. So I wanted to to call out that we appreciated everything that she had she had done to to set up the board
and to to set things in motion. And then the other thing is um uh last year uh I think last summer we we presented um the environmental resource inventory that um we uh had a volunteer um guy uh can't
think of his last name, but um he did it totally volunteer. Spent his entire last summer he was happy to get out of mowing lawn and doing yard work so he could work on the resource inventory. And um that was adopted last year but um we
submitted it for uh applied to uh for an award which we did receive for um from ANJ which is the association of New Jersey environmental commission. It's a statewide recognition of that for our
envir um our resource inventory. So that was a highlight of last year. Um in addition to the site plan reviews, we also try and um do some education at the tableling events. Uh and we also submit
articles for the newsletters and um among other things. So we just I would just like to thank you for the opportunity to look at the site plans and to be part of the board and for um you know it's for taking our
recommendations into consideration. approving the plans. >> Thank you. Try to get my voice back. >> All right. Um let's move along to item seven, minutes of the um this is the September
3rd 25 meeting. We didn't um what you were you were a little bit slow in getting this set of minutes out. Right. All right. Can I have a a motion to
adopt the minutes of the September 3rd meeting uh for those who attended it? Um with um without objection. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call.
Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. Moving into resolutions. Um these are the two resolutions I
referenced when we were talking about uh the um joint land use board report and the township ordinances 202512 and 15. Um so if I may uh
first of these resolutions is 20265 that deals with Hang on a second. 2026. Yeah, I misspoke. 20265 U is a resolution adopting the findings and recommendations of the township committee uh following review of
ordinance 2025-15. This relates to what we refer to shorthand before as the Hitco property uh on Route 38 and Creek Road. Uh can I have a me motion to adopt this resolution
effective December 9, 2025 motion? >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. resolution. >> That is 2026-05. >> Um,
>> right. I did them I did them in reverse. My mistake. Sorry. You're allowed to vote. I'm sorry. >> If you feel comfortable, >> I'm still >> Okay, >> yes. Now the related motion
um is our resolution 2026-04 um approving the township ordinance 2025-12. Uh, this relates to the MN Highway and
Maryland Avenue lot that we previously discussed. Can I have a motion to approve? >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes.
Uh next we have resolution 2026-03. Uh this involves the Putnik property uh in the Heights and a variance to permit the expansion of a non-conforming use on the property. This, you recall, was the
the cottage at the back end of uh of the lot with a principal residence on the front half of the lot. And uh this was a non-conforming use uh where permission was granted to expand the cottage in the
back. I have a motion to approve as drafted. Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Murphy. >> Yes.
>> Mr. M. >> Yes. Um, I have one piece of correspondence that I'd like to discuss and be educated on by our planner. Um,
the governing body on December 30th passed a resolution which is in your packet directing the joint land use board to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if the
so-called rife property which is on the MN highway across the street from the Lutheran church generally speaking to see if that property would qualify as an area in need of red redevelopment.
An area in need of redevelopment is a term of art in the planning laws of this state. Um, we have a resolution here, but before we can do anything about it pursuant to the town's request,
um, we need to conduct the board needs to request that an investigation uh, be conducted um, to determine if that property might qualify as an area in need of redevelopment. So, with
that background, Scott, um if you would just give us um sort of an outline of where what we might do to investigate this, how long you think the investigation
would take uh and when we might be able to present something in terms of a report to the town. >> Right. So, by way of background, This process investig This is what
first step in that process is to determine That's really structured. So that There we go. There are also 12.
This site that we're speaking about for for members who of the board who were not here last year, maybe are not familiar with the property is a is a what I will say generously as a a worn out light industrial site
surrounded by residential properties at this point at least on two on three sides and on on the fourth side by the church property and other other similar development. But the property also has um some
pollution problems that are longstanding and those do have tendency to inhibit development of that property. particularly for residential purposes.
Um, it's former gas station, as you may recall if you've been here long enough, and a heating oil delivery company. And so, some of the gasoline and some of the heating oil or components of them have
unfortunately gotten into the ground over the years. Now the site has been basically closed for operation for a few years and um is now being occupied by someone uh on a
temporary basis but nevertheless plans to redevelop it can certainly go forward and hopefully quality developer will come along to
take up the property and do the right thing. If we can develop a plan that's consistent with that developer's objectives. So that's that's the whole whole thing in a nutshell.
>> So obvious is that property are they up to date? I was just asking why. I just kind of feel like taking over their property rights. I just feel it's our obligation as a board to
develop development plans for areas of the town in accordance with the various zones in the town that we all have talked about over the the commercial, the highway commercial and whatnot. That's all we're doing. We're
not forcing the owner to do anything, but we're providing a framework hopefully that'll give the opportunity to develop the property which could be actually a benefit, great benefit to the owner because the present
state of the property is such that it would be very difficult for the present owner to develop it. What we found over the years This is also non- condemnation process. It's very clear in the resolution that this is a redevelopment
investigation non- condemnation. So, it's not the intent of the town to take this property over. It's to provide them with resources that they otherwise would not have. Um, again, it provides collaboration. It opens up for public priv private partnerships. All of those
things will be conversations and discussions with the property owner. >> I just thought it was important to get on the record. I appreciate what you just said. Sure. >> Because there's a lot going on, a lot of conversations. >> There's a lot that's been going on with that. >> Different thoughts on the warehouses and
all that stuff, why they're there, why we approve things. >> Sure. Thank you. So the opportunity for all that seems like a big plus for the site. Are there any negatives in it?
property like this. And the plan plan itself will come at some point down the road. There's no there's no plan in place. That's a that's organic. That's going to happen in the future, but that's not part of this process.
>> Get your ferris number. Forget about still res. Any other last question? So this first step is Tony. Are you going?
All right. Can I close this discussion? Seeing no hands objecting. I will. Um All right. Uh we just have a couple of things to tidy up and then we'll be done uh for the evening. Um, can I have a
motion uh to direct our planner to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if the so-called rife properties because there are more than one lot
qualify as an area in need of redevelopment without condemnation? Pursuant to the resolution 2025-174-12 of committee
uh that was passed Paula I don't have a date of that resolution whether you do >> I think it's December >> December 9th >> 30th >> or December 30th >> 2025 2025. I'll give this to I'll give these notes
to Bob to help type the resolution up. >> Before we make the motion on that, can I request um to amend our current agenda to add this to it because it's not on the agenda. >> Uh that's a good point. We got it the other just the other day. >> Yeah, but I mean if the board is
comfortable with adding this to the agenda, I'd like to make a request to go ahead and amend that. >> Well, let's do that. Let's do that first. um a motion to amend the uh tonight's agenda >> to include uh this item which we'll call
the rife property preliminary investigation item uh on the agenda and if that passes then we'll go on to the vote. So first the uh the amendment of the agenda. I have a motion. >> Motion
>> second. >> Second >> roll call. Yes, >> yes. And I'll take the responsibility for moving this without being an agenda item because we got it a couple days ago
and I thought it important enough to to try to move it forward right away rather than let it sit until uh you know the February meeting. Um Bob, do you uh you have enough uh in the
motion proposed to uh to draft up a >> That's all it is. I'll shoot this I'll shoot this mic. Just pass that down. >> So can I have a motion? >> A motion for Mr. Novarita. Second. No one. I didn't hear anybody. >> Oh, I'll second it.
>> All right. Roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> One question, Paul. Did we did we vote on a resolution to adopt
or or to to to place the um the resolution 2026-2 um on the agenda for next month? >> We discussed it.
>> We discussed it, but Well, let me uh let me let me ask for a motion to uh postpone um a vote on that resolution 20 26-02, the resolution adopting annual
report um to the February meeting. Uh the reason being this allows members of the board to think of and bring to that meeting any recommendations that they may have. Right. So may I have a motion on that?
>> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Thank you, Paul. Second. >> Second, >> Janice. Roll call. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes.
Uh item nine on the agenda is correspondence. There are two pieces. Um and I have a motion to uh receive and file unless anyone has any desire to discuss any one of those either of those pieces of correspondence.
Hearing none. Motion. >> Second. >> Second. >> And uh do a voice vote. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Hearing none. It's adopted.
Professional comments. Are there any beyond what we we all talked about? Good to have all three of you on board. Look forward to working with this year. Uh board comments in addition to anything that's been said so far. And
that's been a lot. They're very opport Well, those are nice comments to hear, Kathy. I appreciate it because I think that the intent of this board and every member of this board is to treat
everybody fairly and um try to help them to the extent we can on the war. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> We appreciate you. >> Are there any public comments? There
being no public Oh, one member indicates no comments. Any anyone online? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Glad to have if I may also add to that. I hope you
the left side of me is good because I I'm used to you being on the right side for the last nine years or eight years. Um I also want to say that I'm looking forward to working with uh Tony Porto again. Uh he was on the committee. He was the mayor when I was hired. So it's
pretty cool to be able to work with Tony this year um on the board and I look forward to working with everybody as well as our professionals again this year. So thank you. I'll date myself, but my son and Tony went through Hannesport Grammar School together. >> Nice.
>> So, I've known Tony for >> nice >> long time. >> All right. Um, motion to adjurnn is probably in order. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Second.
>> All All in favor? Any opposed?