public. What do you apparently got to order? >> What do you need from us? >> Call the order. >> I don't deal with water company. >> Water company cuts our roads open without permits all the time. All of a sudden now >> I think our coach called the meeting to order. >> Oh, really? >> Call order. >> Why?
>> Bow your head for a silent prayer. >> That's no surprise. Not at >> all. Here we go. Pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the for
it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided indicating the time and place of the meeting in accordance with chapter 72 of the public laws of uh 2025
by advertising a notice of on township website uh latownship.com by posting a copy on the bulletin board in the municipal building by direct hyperlink placed on New Jersey Secretary of State's portal. Call >> members
>> here. Boy, George >> here. >> Hardy >> here. >> Lawler and Gucci >> here. >> Weeks >> here. >> Vice Chairwoman Deo >> here. >> Chairman Sansson. >> Okay, >> there's a quorum.
>> Is that a quorum? >> Um, old business to approve the minutes, the regular minutes of March 25th, 2026. >> Motion. >> Second. Members Coyle, >> yes. >> George, >> yes.
>> Hardy, >> yes. >> Leo, >> yes. >> Vice Chairman, >> yes. >> Uh, next up, digital signage. The final ordinance be presented to council for consideration. >> Kristen is our planner this evening.
>> Yep. Hi everybody. I'm Kristen Russell. I'm with Collier. I'm filling in for Dan this evening. Um I have been working with him um for some time on both of the ordinances that we're going to talk about tonight and he shared with me um the notes that he took at your last
meeting and charged me with making the edits that um you all requested. So I'm just going to run through them um for you. uh the ordinance on the signage. There were very minimal edits that I saw
um as as your request. Um the ex the the language that we had last time included under freestanding signs um letter A1F if you're following along. um
did did and does continue to say the digital sign shall not advertise or promote goods or services not sold or offered on the premises where the sign is located. Um while that in and of itself does um mean billboards, I
reiterated that by more directly saying in a second sentence, digital billboards are prohibited just for the sake of making sure everybody knows what was going on there. Um, continuing subsection G, I added the word zone, which had been missing. And
subsection L, um, I added clarification that digital signs may not be building mounted. Um, from the notes that Dan gave me, again, it seems like that was all that you had asked for um,
revisions, but I'm happy to hear your comments, and if there are any further revisions, we can talk about that and implement that. Anyone have questions? >> We approve it now. >> Do I make a motion? >> Yes. So, madame vice chair, it's not an
official uh resolution, but it would just be a motion to recommend the uh ordinance to the township to consider adoption. And think about it, they have the power to zone on us. So, it's a referral.
And then if they were interested in moving on it, they would introduce the ordinance. It would get referred back for a uh uh a determination by this board whether it's consistent with the master plan and then we refer it back to them. >> I I have a question coming in. Can you
explain me the difference between I and B below? Oh. Um, okay. Um, oh, because B isn't talking about freestanding signs. It's a separate >> sign may not be mounted. Yeah.
>> Not be mount digital signs may not be building mounted. That's I. And that's a B. only one sign maybe face or >> because that's not a digital sign. So I is >> B is unrelated to the
>> saying generally like could have a sign on the front. >> So it can't be interpreted different. >> Correct. >> It wouldn't be. >> Section AI is talking about freestanding signs and digital messaging. And section um I'm sorry A1 is talking about
freestanding digital signs. And then B is a completely separate it's like a new thought. >> Yeah, it's a separate regulation related to building mounted sign. >> I think if I can add I think >> zoning officer here zoning officer. I think you may want to clarify that
>> because I'm I know what's going to happen. Someone's going to come in and say, "Well, it says beach, you know, upon the front facade." And I'll argue with him. That's not what the intent of the like if you put in in there one uh sign you know one nondigital sign.
>> So it should say one nondigital sign meaning please. >> It's very he is Brian's very correct in that people often come in with signs and that's they they take the paragraph above it or below it. >> And the reason why it's important is because it's under a
>> well I guess someone could misinterpret it. 24355A is related to freestanding signs and then the freestanding sign regulation has a subsection related to freestanding digital messaging signs. >> So 24355 unless you're a lawyer you're not going to know.
>> Yeah, but they're very >> or would it be would it be okay? Would it be in everybody's uh agreement to say that B sub section B should say one nondigitable digital sign please?
>> I can do that. Yeah. >> So with that >> with that small correction I think that if there's no other questions and everybody's okay with that the board could make a motion to recommend this with that change to the governing body to consider.
Can I also ask it since we talk about digital signs, but we didn't actually define what is a digital sign and that would also help clarify what's allowed on mounted on the building and not
mounted. A digital sign inherently to me means it's programmed to change its messaging. It can have lights moving around and things of that nature versus a non-digital. But we don't actually say what is a digital sign. What defines a
digital sign to our township? >> I can check if that's defined in in the lane use ordinance under definitions. Check that. >> If we need to, we can amend or add that to the definitions under 243-5
if if digital sign is identified. >> Yeah. may not be >> I mean if it's defined somewhere else then self clarify then >> you're right it should be defined in here somewhere right >> somewhere in our ordinance >> we have signs are defined signs
advertising are defined sign business are defined and sign freestanding are defined >> but there is no sign digital >> and perhaps you might want to also define sign billboard >> nothing because you specifically exclude billboard board.
>> So we can add a definition for sign comma digital and then there will be even less wiggle room >> and sign comma billboard. >> I wonder >> I think I saw that >> billboard defined let's see
>> it it was defined somewhere because >> well there are billboards in in the township uh on state highway. It's a sign that advertises or promotes goods or services >> billboard, right? Billboard is on the premises. >> Okay. >> Right.
>> But maybe it's just defined as billboard, not sign, billboard, >> but it's in the it's in the ordinance. >> Great. Thank you. So I guess we can add sign digital
>> and it would basically basically be saying that a digital sign is not a billboard. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, it needs to say something more than just that it's not a billboard, though. >> I I Well, I wouldn't I don't know that I
would say that because then you get into the I mean, a digital sign can be a billboard. You just don't allow them. >> Mhm. >> Right. Right. There's plenty of them around. >> So, I just add an additional section.
So, we have section one revising article article X general. So we'll have an additional section defining signed common digital in that section in 243-5. I believe it was >> you want it there or do you want it in
Yeah. 243-5. Yes. >> In the definition of the land use ordinance. >> Yeah. And that would actually be section two because we go from section one to section 4, >> right? I'm sorry. Yes. >> So >> following this section. >> Yeah. The sections have to be re >> Oh, I see. The sections need to be
reumbered. >> Remembered >> one two. So here >> where you looking? >> Section one. >> So in the ordinance itself, section one, >> section >> four, section section six. So we'll have to add section two. That'll be three,
four, and five. >> And then section two will be the new definition. Yeah. 243-5. >> I mean, just looking real quick as you were talking, a Google definition says uh Oops. a
a signage that uses electronic displays to show dynamic um content. I mean it will be something like that. >> Okay. >> And then with the restrictions are then defined under 24355A1. >> Exactly. >> Defining freestanding signs including
digital messaging. It's always better to have more and >> I think excluding billboards as the >> right >> digital sign shall not be classified as billboards or something like that. Was that don't you be able to
>> you already have? >> Yeah, that's what I'm like. >> I know. We're like triple duplicate. >> When you what aspect of you mean? >> Well, the way they're wording it or everything. I mean, you for your interpretation of of your zoning. Do you feel that that would fit your ability to
go out and say it fits this, it doesn't fit this, it fits that? >> Yeah. The definition of sign is critical. >> Yeah. Well, we'll have that digital sign. Well, now the question is, does the board want to look at this before it makes a recommendation to the governing
body once the revisions are made? >> I would say possibly. >> That's the board's decision. >> I mean, the >> I mean, what's the consensus? >> It's Yeah, it's the one additional revision that we're discussing is adding a definition of signed, comma, digital.
>> So, if the board's comfortable, as Mr. Bryce indicated then this can be forwarded to the council in two weeks for introduction. I don't >> it'll always come back and you can always make further recommendations. >> I'm talking about non-digital signs in this section B.
>> Uh yeah, section B is generally non-digital, >> right? And adding Yes. adding non-digital, right? >> Non-digital building mounting signs. for me with the two changes that we discussed I would I don't need to see it >> I don't need to see it again personally if with the two
>> we'll see it again I promise >> no I before it goes to council is what I mean okay >> I I I don't think we need to delay it another >> it'll be back here if if let's say this definition isn't exactly meeting with your approval when it comes for
consistency determination or review you guys could could make a recommendation like change this word flip these two words and then It would be and then it's a non I don't know the the legal term would would be like a non-material change to the ordinance. >> It may be material but even at that they
just >> wouldn't it wouldn't prevent it from going to public hearing. >> That's right. >> So that it could be adopted at the >> it may have to get renoticed but it would be >> could still proceed at the June meeting once it's introduced in May. >> So do we have to make a motion for that happen
>> to recommend it go before >> right now it's just make a recommendation. The motion would be to make a recommendation to make the changes as as noted and forward to the governing body for consideration. >> Okay. I'd like to make that recommendation. >> I'd like to second that recommendation.
>> Members, yes. George, >> yes. >> Hardy, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Vice chair. >> Um, last thing on the list is the data center. further discuss. Okay. So, same scenario as with the
signs. I have looked over the prior version and the edits that you requested. Um, this had a bit more edits than the signage discussion. Um, one of the changes that you requested was that
there was there was a section um, related to construction management submission requirements and the notes indicated that you wanted this to actually move into another section of the code so that it would apply to um, all kinds of projects, not just data
center data data center projects. Um, so I took that content which includes um submitting a traffic management plan, truck routes and or truck defined truck hours um roadway repair bonding and an
emergency access plan. That was all in the prior version that you saw, but I have um relocated it now to another section of code um that you have in article six, application procedures.
That seemed like a good place to put it. >> Okay. >> Um you also indicated a desire to consider a reduced parking requirement. I did put two options in here um based
on other um standards that seem to be working um in the region. One is that parking shall be be required be provided at a rate of one space per employee at the max shift. The other option is one
space per 5,000 square ft of gross gross floor area. And I wasn't sure if um if you have a preference as to how things are really measured or if one gives you a better sense of you know you feel more comfortable with one or
the other. I could also make it uh written to say either or whichever is most. Um but Dan suggested that I have give you the opportunity to express your preference on this.
Um we can come back to that if I just continue running through the changes. Um I did remove the language that talked about um the option for wellwater um provision that all of that has been
deleted. Um I a lot of this is really just like strikethroughs and adding a word here or there without changing the content. I added a section for natural gas feasibility. There had already been
sections for for example sewer and storm water public water and um general feasibility. So we added the natural gas content um and that includes the same type of requirements as the other
um sectors including submitting a demand report and um engaging in demand response or peak load management programs. Um, and last but not least, um, I did add
there was a section, it's under J6 in what I've, uh, what you've been given. Uh, we did, the prior version did require, um, cost sharing agreements. We added some more language to that. first
referencing chapter 153 offtrack improvements that already exists in the MI in municipal code. Um this just reiterates that they need to reference that and comply with that. Then also we added some language that says in addition any data center development
shall be responsible for the cost of any required or requested infrastructure or utility extensions, upgrades or capacity improvements to at least attempt to um not burden the community with any of the costs associated with um you know infrastructure changes that go along
with a data center. Those are the main changes. Again, there's a lot of single words added and struck through um here and there, but I think that's really the content that I that I was prepared to discuss. >> Question on that? >> Yeah, sure.
>> Maybe my memory doesn't serve me correct, but on G5, full-time non-emergency generators are not submitted. You have that crossed out. >> The notes that I had wanted to cross out. Was that an error? >> Well, I I can clarify that for you, Lou.
We had it. I think it's it's duplicative and I think that's why I was reading this as well when when you had sent this out to me earlier Kristen. I think we we say it later on and I think the idea was not to just not to be too repetitive. Let me find it. I was reading >> it's actually right above that. >> Right above it. Yeah,
>> it's at the very top first line of the page. >> Oh yeah, the very first line on the page. >> Yeah, non-emergency right non-emergency generator generator oper operation is prohibited. So that's what we're trying to say that there shouldn't be fulltime. So we're just repeating ourselves in G5
when we already have it in F2. So that's where we're So we don't want to just I mean we want to say that but we're not just not seeing it in multiple the same thing multiple times. >> Well, shouldn't we put then under two full-time non-emerging generators
operation is prohibited? >> Say that again >> like adding the the link. It should be stated as F2 full-time non-emergency generator operation is prohibited. >> It's just adding fulltime to >> I can I can add that >> but
>> yeah knowing how knowing how manipulate they are. They'll be like well it's not it's it's an you know it's non it's not we don't do it all the time. I can I can >> but that's that's a problem if you add fulltime to it because >> if if I say full-time non-emergency I
can run it every day from 8 till 10 in the morning. >> No, it's prohibited, >> right? Or stating >> but you're but what you're saying is to add the word fulltime to it. >> And I'm saying if you add that then if I only run my generators every day from 8 till 10 that's not fulltime. That's only
two hours of the day. that. But what's going to happen is in my learning here, the short time I've been here, everyone says the same thing. Well, it if I say, well, it's not emergency. Well, yeah, but it's not even full time. We're just doing it this this little bit of time.
>> But that's why I'm arguing with you that if you put the words fulltime there, you're giving them the reason to argue to say that >> we're just doing it part time, right? They'll say if you don't say fulltime and you just say non-emergency generator operation is prohibited hard should be
non-emergency generator generator operation is prohibited. >> That is going to be a problem though because they do have to do testing of the uh >> but we covered that in the in the prior section. >> But I think you need >> define it better.
>> Working in a factory I learned that they do things a little different. You >> do. Okay. I'm on your side with that. Maybe the wording a little different. Okay. I somehow we've got to get it in there that it is power loss. >> How about you say,
>> hey, this little thing over here is down. So, I get to run all these now today. >> How about you say regular non-emergency? >> How about how about you use something like regular non-emergency use? I'll side either way, but in in my in my
learning, we do backup generators for Merc and Ro and huge huge >> and they're the standard is the same thing you're saying. >> They may run that generator for one day or two days straight and it's not an emergency. And they're like, well, it ain't full-time honor. It's not an emergency. We just ran it for a day. But
listen, see, that's exactly why I I don't disagree with you, but I disagree with the logic of adding the word full-time because if you add the word full-time there, then you're giving them the exact excuse that you're arguing
against. So, my concern is saying full-time, non-emergency, then they can say, "Well, I only used it for two days of the week. That's not full-time." Or whatever the case is. It's the wording that I disagree with, not the intention. >> What if you said non-emergency generator
uh generator operation is prohibited >> and emergency generator? >> Can you just say something like generation is for emergency use only? can only be used >> in times.
>> What's an emergency? >> Power outage. Power outage. Yeah, define what it is. Exactly. Define the emergency. >> Cuz I watch them. I watch them. >> So, we don't want them running at like on a peak. They have a peak day where they're >> all the computers are running at higher
levels and they start kicking on their generators. >> So, it's just attacking on >> Cyber Monday doesn't count as an emergency, >> right? >> Yeah. >> No, you're you're right about the interpretation of that. Well, it's not full time, right? >> So, is the language that you have
emergency generator use can only be used during times of power outages? Yeah, I have non-emergency generator operation is prohibited and emergency generator use can only be used in times of power outage. >> Okay. >> It can only occur in times of power.
>> Yeah. >> Now, there are times where they have to run them just to test them. But >> that's for servicing. That's a separate >> service once a month. They got to do a test by law. >> I don't know if you want to put that in except that required by testing. I think it's already in here. We already have
test. >> I thought there was something, but I could be. >> It's It is in here. >> Yeah, it says backup generator testing hours. >> Okay. >> Shall be limited to weekday daytime hours only. >> So, they they shouldn't be running them on the weekends or anything.
>> In the middle of the night. >> Yeah, in the middle of the night. And we also have all backup generators shall be contained within the principal structure or in a dedicated accessory structure to mitigate noise during testing and during power outages. >> They don't have outdoor generators running
>> all day and night during power outage. >> Now again if the board is inclined to to make this recommendation to the governing body can do it by a motion. It will come back to the board again. >> So, we're gonna get a second look at it. >> Oh, but did you did anybody want to
comment on the parking? >> Oh, my only question, and this is just me. I always think the parking >> easiest only because we're in litigation right now over parking is just to make it >> one space per 5,000 ft.
>> Okay. >> Keep it simple. That's my recommendation. >> And if they want less, they can come and get away. >> Come and get Exactly. If they're saying, you know, we don't need 100 parking space. So for a half million square foot facility, >> they would need 100 parking spaces. That's exactly >> and they might not need 100 parking
space. >> That's right. >> But it remember this is um conditional use. >> So what you could So they variance then. >> So if they need less, if they want less parking, they have to get a devian. >> Why don't you do it? >> Okay. >> So they don't have an option for 10,000 square feet. Then
>> I can make it I can make the number any number that you want. >> That's right. and and they generally have very little parking. So if you doubled that, >> so I mean, let's be real, no data center is going to not provide enough parking for their employees. Like that would
just be weird. >> Yeah, >> this is the minimum parking. The minimum is not, >> right? This is the minimum. So I mean, yes, I could make it one per 10,000, right? >> And if they say they need more, >> if they need more, they can make more. But I think >> And then they don't need to use They still don't need a That's right. Okay.
Right. And we'd like to have encourage the least amount of parking that will cover the the employees so we have more pvious surface on the property. >> Well, we can see our warehouse complex across >> it's 75% empty even when it was fully being used. Exactly. All of that
pavement that >> just flooding water off of it. >> Yep. >> So, we do we need to make a motion to accept these recommendations. >> Yeah. And and if the board isn't fun, the board can actually want to see this back. There's not a huge time pressure
on this from my understanding. >> As long as we don't get an application. >> Yeah, that's right. >> In the next two months. >> That's fair. >> Well, I mean, I can turn these both around, you know, this week. >> Okay. If the board's inclined to make a recommendation, the governing body with the changes as indicated, it can be a
simple motion. Um, it is going to come back in front of the board. You're going to look at it for compliance with the master plan and uh make recommendations if you see anything that's different. >> I'll make that motion.
>> I'll second it. Okay. Roll call. Members, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Weeks. >> Yes. as chairman. >> Yes. >> Um a motion to adjourn.
>> You have to say don't we have to >> Can I just uh put in everyone's ear? Uh I got an email about battery energy storage systems. I don't know a lot about them, but um that next thing that may be something we may want to like the
safety of fire issues. >> Is this for residential or for commercial scale? >> Commercial. where they want to do that. >> Well, that they say where >> they didn't say and I didn't reply to them that we don't allow it as of right now, but >> but this ordinance that we're recommending right now
>> deliberating that's a zoning issue. >> We would be dead zoning it and one if uh there it's not in our zoning right now, right? So, >> well, let me talk to you offline about that. >> Okay. I guess the question is unless you don't want me to say but if there's you
know let's say it's it's it's uh installed in conjunction with a solar facility then it's basically ground >> ground mounted equipment as part of >> I know what they are they're >> it's battery storage >> it's off grid battery storage the solar
panels select it and then the batteries release power not solar though even like he's saying it there >> pulls off the grid >> pulls off the grid interesting stores it and then when it's needed they send it back out. And the way our definitions are a fact that it's
commercial use for >> it's not just an well I guess is it a principal use or is it an accessory piece of equipment >> but is a commercial use it's permitted >> right >> that's where you get into it. Well, that's if it's the principal use on the lot. >> And when you look at the use uses, as
long as the fire safety aspect is is looked at and there's no negative association with it. It's not necessarily a bad use, >> right? >> But there's other considerations about where it is, how it's located, >> or what it is. Right? If it's a
residential scale, then it's like you put panels on your roof and you put a garage battery in your garage. >> These are the size of the building, >> right? This is much different. >> Okay. >> That I haven't seen yet based on the fact that I'm not 100% knowledgeable on either. I know you have
more experience. >> Yeah, certainly. >> Now, it's something that we should look at, >> right? >> But it could be some of these warehouses, a data center, for example. If it's roof mounted solar, they might have batteries in the building. you know, a bank of batteries that like he said this the the
>> but if it's going to be the principal use on the lotto that's basically what she would >> and then it would be a use right away >> unless it qualifies as commercial use is defined >> could you qualify it as a utility use
>> no because they're private >> does the code say public utility >> I don't know but it's not really utility >> power substation doesn't get a zoning You know, it it it's they're very unique. It's different. >> It's one of the new it's like a new
category. Every every town's going to be like, "Okay, what do we do? What do we do with it?" >> That's exactly what it is. >> I haven't heard of that yet. That's the first time. >> Now, it's not just this municipality. There's other interests in other municipalities. >> And frankly, you know, from the practical perspective, never they're
quiet. They don't do anything. Once again, it's like a data center. There's no traffic. There's new nothing. The big issue >> boxes and the alarm. >> The big issue is fire and safety because they are batteries. >> As a matter of fact, what they do say is
that the firemen just have to let them burn out. >> Yeah. Well, it's like the cars. You just let them burn. >> Well, in other towns that I work in who are doing their community energy plans, like one of the initiatives that they're considering is now we have to train the firemen on how to handle this type of
fire. And if they have those viruses, then they're a contamination issue. >> I have no idea. >> Yeah, that it I'm not sure it's so much contamination as it is just, >> you know, like you see the the scooter fires, you know,
>> the rechargeable battery fire. >> Sounds like there's nothing left >> fires. And I'm not a fireman, but apparently once these fires go, >> they can't. You're not putting them out. You just got to let them burn. And it's about isolating the area and making sure that >> not letting it spread.
>> That's exactly right. >> Cars cars go up in the garage and they burn the house. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, it's it's not necessarily a bad use. >> Just means >> it's not necessarily an unsmart use. It just
maybe should be a conditional use based upon >> that's our next thing. Got data centers. Now we have to talk about battery industrial scale or utility utility scale battery storage facilities I think would be probably the the name. I I'll
have to look it up as well. >> I guess it wouldn't be an issue because you're it the reference was just a standalone not anything else. >> Yep. >> Yeah. There's a lot of those types of newer technologies. There's like on-site fuel cell power generation
>> where it takes natural gas, puts it through a chemical process, >> and it produces electricity and water and that's it, I think, and carbon dioxide. >> I'm having a hard time understand figuring out the the practical use case.
So, they're not generating electric. They're taking it off of the grid. They're buying it. They're buying it cheap >> and during times of >> they're probably buying it from like a solar generator that's not anywhere. It's somewhere on the grid. >> Okay. >> They're storing it and when the peak
times come, they sell it back. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And I've seen them a lot on farms. >> Sure. Okay. >> Because they have big swaths of area >> that are underutilized and >> and it makes sense if you're doing solar to have that,
>> right? That's usually where I've heard of it, >> right? >> But if you're not actually generating, you're just buying it from somebody else to store it and sell it that way. >> I know >> a commodity is a commodity. >> Yeah. And that's that's the interesting part. And you know that it makes sense for farmers and other people with large
scale because they can >> income >> get the lease share and these people even pay it back figure out there's enough >> profit margin in for them to do it make it work. >> I don't know how that economics works
but they do. >> Okay. >> Did someone make a motion? >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. >> Second it. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi.