It's 7:30. Good evening everyone. I'd like to call the order the bridge township planning board meeting for July 24th, 2025. Please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag
of the stands. One nation under God indivisible for all. >> Okay, Daniel, can we have a roll call, please? >> Mr. Dama, >> here. >> Mr. Lenning, >> here.
>> Mr. Higgopian >> here. >> Miss Canon is absent. Mr. Rena >> here. >> Mr. Petty >> here. >> Miss Misella >> here. >> Mr. Mcisac >> here. >> Mr. Brennan >> here. >> Mr. Ferrara >> here. >> And Chairman Lauer >> here. >> Okay. Next we'll have the swearing in of
our professionals. >> All right. If you would uh please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're going to give this evening? It's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um we have minutes for approval.
uh minutes of May 19th, 2025. We have any questions or corrections? And if not, can we have a a motion? >> I'll move it. >> Second. >> Second. >> Mr. Deal? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Lenning? >> Yes. >> Mr. Agopian? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rena? >> Yes. >> Mr. Petty? >> Yes. >> Miss Mella? >> Yes. >> Mr. McGis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brennan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferrara? Yes. >> And Chairman Lowry. >> Yes. Okay. Next minutes of June 26,
2025. Any corrections or >> deletions? Okay. Could I get a motion, please? >> Move it. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Deal? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lenning? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gopian?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Rena? >> Yes. >> Mr. Petty? >> Yes. >> Miss Misella? >> Yes. >> Mr. McGis? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brennan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferrara? Yes. >> Chairman Lowour. >> Yes. Okay. Uh we have resolutions. The first one is 13-2022P
MBM at bridge SP phase 1 LLC. Can I get a motion? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Mr. Deal? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lenning? >> Yes. >> Mr. Agopian? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rena?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Petty? >> Yes. >> Miss Mella? >> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. McGisac. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferrar. >> Yes. >> And Chairman Low. >> Yes. >> Okay. Number two. Uh 12-2022P. Alfairy at Oldbridge.
>> I'll move it. >> Second. >> Mr. Deal. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lenning. >> Yes. >> Mr. Agopian. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rener. >> Yes. >> Mr. Petty. >> Yes. >> Missella. >> Yes. >> Mr. McGisac. >> Yes. >> Mr. Brennan. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferrara. >> Yes.
>> And Chairman Lowour. Yes. Next. 35-2024P Oldbridge Regency Village LLC. Can I get a motion? >> I'll move it. >> Thank you. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Depal?
>> Yes. >> Mr. Lenning? >> Yes. >> Mr. Agopian? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rena? >> Yes. >> Mr. Petty? >> Yes. >> Miss Mella? >> Yes. >> Mr. McKisac? >> Yes. >> Mr. Brennan? >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferrara? >> Yes. >> And Chairman Lowour? >> Yes. Okay, next we have a consistency review
amended redevelopment plan for the intersection of Jake Brown Road and Highway 9 and the intersection of White Oak Lane and Jake Brown Road. Vina, >> good evening board members. Um actually this this um has come to the board as a
formality. There isn't any change to the plan. The plan um has been what it has been for the past few years. Um in fact even before the redevelopment plan was written this area was uh zoned as EDO.
So it was always a commercial property. What happened is in May as you know I was swamped with the housing plan and that there was a stringent deadline that I had to meet but at the same time we were amending the plan to include the
cheesecake form uh quick form property. What happened is um it was a typographic error that we missed a lot on the front page. If you look at the plan, the rest of the plan, it does include the
property. It talks about the uses. However, it was a typographic error that I caught later. I am just trying to fix that typographic error. The maps also when we did the redevelopment study, we
had updated all the maps to include the farm property, but when it came to the plan, there were one or two maps that were not switched out. So I'm just doing it because I want the plan to be perfect especially when we uh revisit it in
future but it's a typographic error that we are fixing. No change in the use or no change in the setbacks or anything to the plan. Nothing else is changing. Uh the plan was adopted by the council in May and I caught it after it was
adopted. So it's a formality but again uh the zone always was non-residential it was EDO it remains EDO it's it's now going to be EDO2 based on the plan amendment in 2022
um that remains so there are no changes and it is consistent with the master plan the whole redevelopment project started because it was one of the recommendations of the master plan when we amended it in 2021 one. >> Okay. Thank you. Any questions uh from
the board members? >> Okay. Uh I'll move it. >> Mr. Dama, >> yes. >> Mr. Lenning, >> yes. >> Mr. Agopian, >> yes. >> Mr. Rena, >> yes. >> Mr. Petty, >> yes. >> Missella, >> yes.
>> Mr. McGisac, >> yes. >> Mr. Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferrara, >> yes. >> And Chairman Lowour. Chairman. >> Yes. >> Um, >> chairman, if I may. >> Um, I just want to interject because I'm
going to leave the meeting. You should be receiving an email from my office tomorrow. All of you. Uh, we are severely backed with our public hearings. We are booking into December. Now, there are two projects that need
immediate attention and uh we're looking for special meeting. I really request because I tried reaching out to our township attorney and uh Joe as well as the zoning board attorney because both boards are super swamped. I was trying
to see if we could conduct virtual meetings at least to ease some of the pressure. However, our township attorney has said that uh he would not support uh virtual meetings because the law is kind
of vague. Uh so we don't have too much of a choice than to ask for special meeting. Um there are two developers that are seeking uh for a special meeting. Please respond and um uh Danny
should be reaching out to you tomorrow. please respond so that we can uh act accordingly. Most of the developers that are coming in are a bit frustrated both on the zoning board and the planning board side that the wait period is more
than 6 months. Typically I try to schedule applications within 3 months but it's been next to impossible. We have like piles of application in the planning office. Um I'm I'm I'm short staffed. I couldn't have done it without
Rakkesh. So, thank you Rakkesh for helping me. But uh please uh respond. I really appreciate. >> Okay. Vina, now did we already established uh this this coming Tuesday that a special meeting? >> Yes, there is a special meeting Tuesday,
but there are two other applicates. Um Joe, I don't know if those dates work out with you, but maybe you can have someone cover it if you're not available. All right. Thank you so much. It's a request from the administration. Please respond. >> Okay. Thank you, Vina.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Before we get to the next application, I just uh want to announce that Fairway Plaza LLC uh major preliminary and final site plan with a C variance has withdrawn. So, if anybody's here for that,
good luck. Uh, okay. Our next application is 59-2023P that car properties LLC amended major preliminary and final site plan with a C variance represented by Walter Toto
Esquire. >> Yes, Mr. working. >> Y >> okay. I figured my voice was loud and obnoxious enough to get recorded. All kidding aside, now Walter Toto on behalf of Thacker Properties, uh good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the board, it's
nice to see you all. Uh we did submit an affidavit of service and publication uh for this application. Joe, I trust everything's in order. Uh, I have not seen it. Um, just before you leave. >> It was great. Okay. Well, it was great. >> All right. Thank you. >> Department. >> All right.
>> I'm glad you asked before she left because I wasn't going to give you that answer. >> Uh, so the property we're talking about is uh uh it's block 13,000 uh lot 6. It's uh 3649
Route 9. Uh this property was last before this board in 2017 and we received a preliminary and final major site plan approval I believe unanimously uh with bulk variance relief to construct a 7200 square ft office
building. Uh the property is probably close to 100% uh complete. I think final inspections are in the uh are in the works. Uh so but no CO has been issued as of yet. So the purpose uh of our
being here on the application uh is three-fold w with a fourth issue that's sort of ancillary but the three issues that we seek to amend or the three conditions of the original resolution uh include number one modifying uh the
number of tenants uh that we testified to somewhat ambiguously at the first hearing in 2017. Uh we had indicated that uh Mr. Faker's accountant accounting firm would occupy one floor and then there would be another tenant
another another unnamed tenant presumably an office use and our intention I'm not sure was to limit it to only two uses or two two users I should say so tonight I seek an amendment to allow a third tenant. Uh
part of that also is to expand the type of tenant. Uh again, we were approved for a general office use. Uh but over the course of the last year, marketing the property has certainly led us to believe that it may be close to impossible to to lease to uh two
tenants, let alone three office users. So, we're seeking to add u the permission for medical use. uh the lion share of the uh of the proposed tenants that have that have knocked on the door so to speak and have dealt with the
broker uh have been medical uh in nature. In fact, we had a lease that was signed. It was subject to this board's approval. Uh but they couldn't wait and admittedly they they didn't have a long timeline to wait. Uh but we asked for uh
you know a contingency to be heard by the board. We knew we were coming here tonight, but the tenant uh eventually terminated. But to that end, um I we believe strongly that uh medical will fill the building uh a lot more quickly
than than office. And we have testimony to uh to support the fact that the parking will be sufficient for a medical use. Um the third change, it's not really a change, but we're we're seeking to add a generator uh to the property. Um it's within the front yard setback.
Uh the the key here is that Mr. Thcker has a very busy accounting firm and during uh the crazy season during tax season if they if the electricity goes out and fails it's a disaster um and they they uh need a generator. So that has been proposed for tonight as well.
The fourth issue is is really ancillary to everything else. It has to do with um the fact that the elevator company, the elevator contractor uh that has been hired for this project has apparently vanished from the face of the earth. Uh
Essex Elevators out of East Orange. Um they they have simply disappeared and it's causing a lot of problems. And what I'm hoping uh to have happen is for the board to weigh in on and and allow for for perhaps a temporary CO to be issued uh prior to the installation of the
elevator. And we would take every precaution to board up that part of the of the building that where the elevator has not yet been installed because we're now in the process of retaining a new elevator contractor. Uh again, it's a bit ancillary to what the board normally
does, but I I wanted to voice that uh as well. So I have three witnesses. I have Jiggnesh Thaker, principal of Theer Associates. I have Boscar Harari, uh, who is our project engineer. And I have Frank Mskovich, who will testify, who was also an engineer, will testify as to
traffic and parking. Uh, and that's basically it. Uh, so at this point, I'd like to call up uh, Mr. Thcker. Go right ahead, Jes. >> All right. Let me if I can swear you in. Will you please raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're going to give this tr this this evening is the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth. >> Yes. >> And just for the record, could you please uh state and spell your name? >> Uh Jes H a K a r. >> Thank you. >> Jigign, what is your connection with with Thacker Properties LLC? The applicant. >> Uh I'm one of the members in the LLC
that owns the property. >> Okay. And uh what is your profession and by whom are you employed? >> I am a CPA. I'm employed by um Tacker Associates. >> I'm a CPA in New Jersey and New York and I'm I'm employed by Tacker Associates.
Um the entity is TA Accounting and Tax LLC doing business as Tacker Associates. >> And how long is uh TNA Accounting been in business? >> Uh the practice has been in business since 1978. Um I joined in 1997
and uh this particular entity has been in existence since 2013. >> And where do you currently practice? >> Edison, New Jersey. >> And do you have a lease for the Edison site or do you own that property as well? >> So we had a lease uh for 6 years which
expired and then we signed two 30-month leases which also expired and we've been onetoone for about a year. Okay. >> So we're waiting for the the building to get done yet. What's the What's the And the intention is of course to move to Old Bridge and establish the accounting practice here. >> Correct. Yeah. >> What's the square footage of the Edison
site? >> Uh approximately 2,700 I think. >> 2700. And how many do you know how many parking spaces you you are able to use at the Edison site? >> Uh it's we're not assigned any parking. It's all general parking for anybody. So
I mean it's a big building. It's like uh four floors I think 40,000 square feet. So >> Okay. You you occupy a portion? Yeah, we occupy 6% of the building, I think. >> Okay. And how many employees do you have? >> So, in New Jersey, we have 12 and then
we have a satellite office in Tampa that has about seven. >> And how many operate out of the Edison office? >> So, 12, but out of that, three people are permanently working from home. >> Okay. >> So, nine basically are in the Edison office. Do you guys have a particular
accounting uh niche or or or just is it general accounting? >> General accounting. >> General accounting. Okay. Okay. Um as far as your your clients, where where do they hail from? I mean, are they local? Are they national? Describe that. >> So, we have uh basically small
businesses that are our clients. And uh it used to be that New York was our big state cuz originally the practice was based out of New York but uh in the last five or six years we've actually su Massachusetts has surpassed New York as our biggest state with clients.
>> So >> um Okay. Go ahead. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um what what do you what percentage do you think are from New Jersey? >> Very small. Um probably if I had to guess maybe 20. >> Okay. trying to get a feel for how often
how often clients visit the practice. Is that common or >> It's not common actually. Only when we call them in if we need to. Uh those that are out of town like Massachusetts or New York uh New Jersey clients and even clients who are within the let's say 15 20 mile radius will call and come
in or walk in during tax season to drop off information. But it's very rare now. Uncommon. Yeah. It's mostly emails and uh mostly emails. How many square feet do you intend to occupy uh in the Oldbridge office? >> The second floor, which is 3600.
>> 3600. >> Yeah, >> that's gross. Gross square footage. >> Understood? >> Yes. 3600. >> That would be the second floor. >> Second floor. >> So, we're asking the board to amend the prior resolution to allow office and medical on the first floor. >> Correct. >> Correct. Okay. Or or perhaps all medical
on the first floor >> if that's possible. >> Ideally, ideally. All right. um just explain why you're proposing the generator. >> Just for the for the backup because you know we're in a deadline oriented uh field, right? So just in case there's a
power outage, we can fall back on that and kind of continue our work. You know, God forbid it happens on March 14th or April 13th and we have that back. >> Okay. uh describe for the board your efforts at marketing the property, including hiring uh the broker and
what's what's been going on since you hired the broker last last year. >> I mean, the sign has been up since about a year. Um you know, it it took longer than what we had expected to finish it up. So, but he's been getting a lot of inquiries that are medical in nature and
um um like Walter said, we had one lease that uh we could not really sign because he was not willing to wait uh for us to finish and then he would have to then do his own work which would have taken like 3 4 months to you know before he can move in. So, uh that's basically what's
been happening. But, uh yeah. So assuming things go well with the inspections, when do you intend to occupy an overbridgeidge? >> Our office. >> Yeah. >> Last year it was last year. >> No, I understand that. I understand.
>> Hopefully by September, October is what? Uh >> okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay, Mr. Chairman. Nothing further for Mr. Thcker. >> Okay. >> Excuse me a minute. Did the Does the board have any questions of this uh owner? No. Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. We have to open it up to the public for any questions. Seeing no public, I close it. Thank you. >> Uh swan. >> Yes. >> Please stay. Uh raise your right hand.
Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're going to give this evening is truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> I do. >> Please state your name and spell it correctly. >> Sure. My name is Bhashkar Halari. That's H A L A R I Last name. I'm professional engineer work with Concept Engineering
Manalapa, New Jersey. >> Bossar, uh, briefly give the board the benefit of your of your CV. >> Sure. I've been I've been doing the site planning subdivision design since 1987. I obtained my PE license in 94 since I
have appeared on front of this board as well in the past multiple times. Mostly we practicing in uh southern milax and northern Mammoth County areas. >> Okay, you're accepted. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Oscar described for the board and and briefly we're not imp. We're not making
any other improvements besides the generator. Correct. So give the board the overview of of >> Right. So if you um look at the plan that's displayed on the uh screen here uh the site uh I think uh Walter described it really well. So only thing
we are trying to do is if you look on the left and front left hand side of the building there is a brown wall and that's actually an existing uh uh garbage uh dumpster area. So what we doing is we putting the generator right behind it. You see that little green
square and that is a generator. So actually if you look at the site from the front you will never see the generator because it's going to be completely blocked by that uh uh dumpster area and the dumpster area is made out of a masonary block that basically matches the finishes of the
building. If >> I can just jump in is this a this looks like modified version of site plan which should be >> Oh yes yes thank you. Could you just I just for purposes so I can draft the resolution um what uh what this document
actually is and >> yeah this is the plan that we had submitted to the board is a variance and a site plan and uh we only have added the color to kind of identify the improvement on the property and that is the ideal spot to put a
generator because in the back of the building there is a steep slope so we couldn't put anything in the back on a lab side there is a detention basin. There is no space there. Uh so it seemed like that was an ideal location for a generator. And uh and the last item about the
elevator uh in the sense that uh the second floor usable space is less than 3,000 square ft. So by code you're not required to have an elevator but the client wants to put it in. uh we asked the building department then at that time they said that because you
submitted a plan to the board showing an elevator we cannot give you CEO without board telling us that it's okay to do it. So that is why we are asking quite honestly uh to see as long as by the code we are
not required to have it then the board is not uh requiring us to install it. Obviously, we want to install it as we just said, but we need a temporary like six month or so to get a TCO while we get another elevator company to come and finish the installation.
>> Oscar, when we first submitted uh in 2017, the architectural plan did actually uh posit or consider three tenants, two on the first floor and one on the on the second floor. >> Uh I wasn't present at that hearings, but there have always been a discussion
about the three tenants. I think uh somehow during the hearing in the testimony something got misinterpreted that >> and in fact as far as utilities are concerned is the first floor metered for two tenants? >> Yes, actually the plan is uh the architectural plan we submitted to the board also shows like a two bathrooms
and two entrance door. That is how the plan has been from the beginning. The architect who was involved originally with the the plans with the board when they got original approval is the same plan. And then he told me that that's they're just following the same design.
>> And and Bosar, you you uh reviewed Rakesh and Vina's report from July 23rd, 20125. Correct. >> Sir, yes, I have. >> Are there any issues with agreeing to any of the conditions within the report? >> No, we we had not have any issue. There is a lot of item here which relates to
the parking. So Frank will testify to all of those items. Okay. Yes. >> Mr. Chairman, nothing further for Mr. Hari. >> Okay. Um I'd like to go to our professional Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't really have any questions for the applicants engineer. Uh, with regard to the
elevator issue, I I think the only light I can shed on that is normally that's not the purview of of the the board, either the planning board or zoning board, but I understand what you're saying is that the construction office is is indicating that, hey, the plans were approved a certain way.
>> It's kind of an odd thing. Uh, go ahead. >> The chairman actually just asked me that same question. Is this something even the board can can grant? And I think what the board can do, so I'm glad to do so, is just say that it's not opposed to it in essence. I mean, I come with better language in the resolution. Uh, but it would be that the board is not
opposed and has no restrictions against the the construction office for granting those TCO before the the elevator is improve is installed. But ultimately, as Resh said, it will be a construction department final decision. So if the construction department say even the board says we're okay with it, if the
construction department says no, you have to build it. There's nothing we can do. >> We understand. Actually, we wouldn't even ask for it to the board if the building department had not requested it. >> There's no there's no change to the plan. It's a change to the
um to the timeline of the construction or the implementation of the elevator. I think I think >> well the there is some relief that they need for the generator though. Yeah. >> Could I ask a question? >> Yeah.
>> Under construction and everything else. So under the plans elevator was part of the plans. So you do guys have the shaft everything going in. You just don't have the company that's going to come and install the elevator. Is that what I'm hearing? >> Yeah. Actually, the elevator there, the
hydraulics is installed, the control panel is installed, the this company can come in a three-day finish the elevator. >> But they they just they just completely have disappeared. They not >> How long How long ago did you know that uh they were no longer in business?
>> No, we for last two months we trying to get in touch with them. Our attorney had sent them the letter. The letter came back undeliverable. So at this point we just think they are out of the business because we can't get a hold of them. And as I said the only thing left to install is the elevator
cabin and a call button where you push the button so elevator comes down. But the hydraulic elevator is all operational. There is like >> I understand that. Have you tried to look for another company that could come and >> we did we that's exactly we've been for last one month we met four companies and
it seems to me these elevators uh installer have a proprietary controllers so no other company can use the other company's controller that's how they control the services of the elevator so everybody we talk to they pretty much say they have to remove all the
controllers and all that and redo that installation so most of the guys are saying about 8 weeks uh to do it but we get into contract and you know that little bit delays or what not. So we just thinking 6 months is enough time to get this done. But
basically we have lost that money from the previous company. We have to start >> get a change of contractor. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. And in general just as a a point of of of uh of clarification the the board doesn't really get into the the
details of elevators and interior finishes. We we asked for architectural plans uh so that we have an idea of the the size, scale, the aesthetics of the building and and and the like. And none of that has changed. I I think this is
it's kind of I guess maybe the construction office is being overly cautious. >> Uh if nothing else, and I hope they're not watching. Uh but but I I I think the Hi, Mom. Uh, I think the the um the
request is is is is a valid request and uh I'm sure Joe can word word it such that it it basically states that the board doesn't have an objection, but ultimately all the requirements and and responsibilities and all that lies with the the construction office and and the
applicant. We're simply saying we don't have any qualms with the timing of when the elevator gets put into commission. Yes, that's all we're looking for. That's exactly where we're looking. >> Okay, thank you. Or is that >> I'm done. >> Okay. Uh, anybody to my right question?
>> I have a question. Um, as far as the emergency generator, is that just for the second floor or would that be an entire building generator? >> There's going to be common area and second floor. So, it will have an elevator included in there uh and and some emergency lighting type of thing
even on a first floor. >> Okay. But it's not going to operate both. >> No, totally understand. >> It'd be very big generator. >> Yeah, that's what I was asking. I was just trying to figure out >> and even on a second floor, I don't think it's going to control our air conditionings and all that. Very limited
of that, but remotely lighting and they have their server >> server. Yeah. >> So that is the main thing that uh that we need to make sure there's enough power for. >> Totally understand. Thank you. >> And if I could chairman, if I may just to clar did you say the elevator is or isn't included in the generator? the
elevator. >> It is. It is. It is. I just want to make sure I correctly. >> Okay. U >> Yes. Just one quick question. How many kilowatt is that generator? >> We don't have size yet exactly. We met our electricians and we came up with an
idea of what we want to do with it and he's investigating that. Uh but uh the overall service for the second floor entire second floor with the elevator everything was like about 200 amp. So
>> yes, >> great. >> I never thought my expertise would come in valuable at this meeting, but I am an elevator engineer. >> Oh wow, >> you're hired. >> You can come over and help us out. >> You got any business cards? >> We desperately need help.
>> The situation with your present elevator company is not unusual for that company. I can't say that. >> You know that company? >> I do. >> Oh wow. >> Enough said. Interesting. Okay. >> And legal advice. That's enough. >> Yeah. No, no legal advice. We >> We would like to talk to you though.
>> Well, that's up. >> Not about that company. Just just get an idea about this elevator. How we can get it done quickly. Maybe you know, your expert can help us. >> I think that I I think that eight weeks is a panacea. Um you know, just ordering equipment because the the present
equipment cannot function with the with a new elevator company. They all want to put their own equipment in. >> Correct. And the lead time for a lot of these companies is 12, 15 weeks, 16 weeks. >> Yeah. >> And then to have uh a construction crew there assigned to it. I think that you
know you're looking at three four months down the road at least just to get equipment. >> So far the the couple of companies we talked to one of those was TK elevator. You know the corrupt. >> Yeah. >> That's a reputable company. So they told us eight weeks. So we were hoping that's true or maybe they have an elevator
laying around because a standard size elevator or something. I don't know. They're all custom. >> Custom. >> Everyone is custom. But in any case, the um most of the time, and I am a state inspector also. >> Oh, wow. >> Most of the time, um the state does not approve a building without the
requirements for ADA. Uh and so you have second floor and you have 36. >> No, actually the effective usable space is less than 3,000 square feet. >> Less it's less than 3,00. That's why we know that we can buy the We actually
approached the building department. >> They said, "Yeah, it looks okay. You may not need it >> for your CO." >> If you're under 3,000 ft, you should be okay. >> But they said, "We won't give you CEO except the board tells us that you are okay." So that's why we while we were coming, we just figured we asked the
board. Yes. >> Right. Well, um, and by code, you're required to have the elevator connected to the, uh, emergency generator. >> Yes. >> That's a that is a requirement. >> Yeah. But uh right now the other requirement was that you have to do have
an emergency call. So there is a new system you have to put in for ADA compliant people or something if you don't have a generator. So we put that system in already. >> So we got the building. >> I'm I'm not going to give you any advice that you know that's that's not my place
here to give you those advice. But in any case like I said the state looks at it no AD if you don't have an ADA compliance for the second floor and the state would not approve it. But this is your local government here. So that's a whole different situation. >> Understood. Thank you for your help.
>> Okay. Any other question? >> Okay. Um >> Oscar, I think you're good to go. >> Uh I Excuse me. I'm sorry. I'm going to I I'm going to let myself ask some questions. >> Absolutely. >> Um >> yes, >> originally your approval, did did you
were you on track with your parking? Maybe Rakkesh was he on track with his parking for the size of the building originally? >> The size of the building the parking requirement. Yes. Uh >> 36. We had 36 required and we proposed 36.
>> Right. They met the parking for the for all office. >> Okay. I was I made a little a little visit today and I counted 34. Did I get did I miss a couple? I don't know. But anyway, my I'm what I'm
getting to is you you're you stated that you were going to um occupy 3600 square f feet >> on the second floor. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Yes. Yeah. >> His office is going to be on the second floor. >> Correct. >> Okay. And he has nine employees.
>> Uh nine. Yes. >> Nine that are going to be at that. Okay. Um, your medical, do do you have uh somebody picked out yet for the medical? >> No, we did, but that fell by the wayside. They terminated the lease because it was subject to, of course,
this board's approval. Otherwise, they were not permitted uh under the resolution. So, no, we don't have anyone picked out yet, which makes it >> So, if you don't know who you're going to use, you don't know how many employees they're going to have. Am I correct? >> That is true. Yeah, that I I would say
that not to get cute here or mince words, the parking is based on the square footage for medical, right? One out of 150. Of course, as a practical matter, the employees come into play, >> not necessarily to calculate the standard, which we're going to deviate from
>> potentially with the board's approval. Um, >> yeah. So, that that makes it difficult >> to calculate. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, because in the past, I don't know about the rest of board members, but uh we've had uh testimony that they ex ex
employees and it turned out to be more employees than they said and now and then people are fighting for parking, crossing highways. Uh you know, it would to me it would be helpful to know how many employees u the
the medical would have. Now how many square ft would the medical be? Uh >> so the first first floor um first floor is 3600 square ft total but all 3600 is not usable in the sense because we have two stairwells and elevator and common
area and all that. So on the gross square foot, >> the parking I don't mean to interject, but I think the well I guess I do mean to interject. The >> the parking uh is based off of the gross square footage and it's based off of the the use of that of that space. So gross
square footage office is one space for every 200 square ft and gross square footage of medical space is one parking space for every 150 square ft. So, I think the applicant is proposing up to 3600 square f feet of medical on the first floor. Got it.
>> And that would basically be 24 parking spaces. Uh, and they're proposing >> the entire second floor as 3600 foot of office >> and that would be 18 parking spaces. So, the total requirement for the space regardless of the number of employees
and what have you, is the 18 and and and 34 combined, which is 42. So that that the actual >> 20 >> 18 and 24 I apologize. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. >> 18 and 24 combined. So it's 42 is what
>> in your opinion it you think there's sufficient? >> So I'm I'm going to wait for Mr. Msovich's uh testimony and then I can agree to it. But uh but I'm sure he'll have some convincing testimony to justify the variance. >> Be good, Chairman. Yes. >> Okay. I have to open it up to the
public. So you know public close it. Thank you for >> saving the best for last. Sorry guys. >> They all know it. Don't worry. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. >> Hi. >> Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're going to give this evening is the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> I do. >> Can you please state your name and spell it for the record? >> Sure. It's Frank Mskovich. It's spelled M I S K O V as in Victor. I c >> Frank, give the board the benefit of your CV, please. >> Sure. I'm a licensed professional
engineer in the state of New Jersey. My license is current. I've been licensed for about 50 years now. 55 years experience in traffic engineering. And I have testified before this board before. Uh I've represented a number of boards, planning and zoning boards throughout
the state of New Jersey also. >> You're accepted. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you. Uh well, I think there's been a lot of discussion already on the parking, but uh let me first start that I was the traffic engineer on the original application back in 2017.
At that time, we were looking at all general office for the entire building and there was consideration for medical office in that building. At that time we said no, we cannot have that entire building as medical office because we wouldn't have not enough parking. We'd
be way over the parking requirement. And at the time, Mr. Jignesh basically said, "Look, I'm going to move my office upstairs. I'm going to keep general office downstairs." That was the thinking back in 2017 2019 prior to co
this architectural plans that were submitted to the board that that time showed one tenant on the second floor and two tenant spaces on the first floor. But there seems to been some mixup either in the testimony or when the resolutions came back that your
zoning officer questioned, "Well, no, you only need one tenant on the second floor and an additional tenant on the first four. So what we're here tonight is to get clarification to the fact that we want basically three tenants, one on the second, two on the first.
The question that was posed on that part of it is the fact that your town ordinance does not mention or require any number of tenants in the building. It's based on gross square footage. So you could have one tenant, you can have 10 tenants. There's no variation on that
part. While we're talking about that part of it, this the same with medical office. It's one per 150 gross square feet, but it doesn't mention anything about the number of tenants that could be in the building. That's consistent with the Institute of Transportation Engineers data on parking data and
everything. They don't mention anything about the number of tenants in their descriptions, nor in all the data that they've collected. So, we're back on just basing everything on square footage. That 7200 square foot building irregard as a number of tenants requires
36 spaces and that's what we have. I did not count what's out there but that's what was approved for and I would suggest I I would believe that that's what was been constructed. 36 spaces and so that to me I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Uh you're right. I forgot the two
handicapped. You're right. I counted 34 and I counted the two handicap. I didn't I didn't add them together. Sorry. Well, let me confuse it a little more. So, uh, let me just back up just about office where we're looking to at least
have three tenants in the building. That's the first question that we're being asked for. The second part is whether we can have medical office on the first floor, whether it's one tenant or two tenants, total 3600 square feet. If I look at the parking requirement
just for that first floor, I need 24 spaces by ordinance and I need the 18 on the second floor. So I need 42 parking spaces. I have 36. So I have a variance of six spaces that we're seeking. Uh your planner in his report mentions that
we're propose proposing make ready electrical charging stations on here which we get a credit on both either federal law, state law or even township requirements. So we basically get a credit I believe there's four spaces. So we would have technically on paper 38
spaces required and we have 36. So technically that's a two space variance. Or if you compare it to your 42 that's required, it's now four spaces. But I'm going to go one step further. I'm going to say we have 36 physical spaces. Is that adequate to support both the office
and the medical office? And what I've done is looked at peak parking demands based upon the Institute of Transportation Engineers data where we look at the average rate, what we call the 85th percentile rate, which means 85% of the time you're going to be at that number, even less. So very seldom
will you be going over. And when I look at that number, I'm looking at an average of 20 spaces being occupied. And that 85th percentile is 25 spaces. So basically you're saying mo the majority of time are going to be 25 occupied spaces or less based upon
those two uses. We have 36. So we're okay there. But that is also a static requirement that is 24 hours a day. That parking requirement I think you have to look at time a day variations because on the weekends obviously you don't have office. The majority of your office is
closed. you might have some medical. Uh the office is closed at night, you might have some medical at night. So, it's going to vary throughout the day. And in my report, I did a a time a day distribution, the amount of parking that would be there. And really, it's during that
10:00 a.m. to maybe 300 PM time period that I'm around 22 to 25 parking spaces being occupied based upon available studies. So I believe we do have enough for uh that based upon 36 spaces. On a
side note, as the applicant has indicated, he has nine employees in his office that would be there at any particular time. And the original application was prior to covid and since then we've seen a lot more remote working from home in a lot of offices
and even the medical industry has gotten into tele communicating with with the doctors. So there's some variations there and you're right it would depend on which doctors come in there. Some are more demanding than others but we have
to look at the gross square footage. He has nine employees. So if I took the 36 spaces and I took his nine employees out that they're all day long, I'm left with 27 spaces, which actually meets your 24 space parking requirement for the medical office. So on a practical
matter with him there, we're okay with parking uh more than enough. Uh I'd also although it's based on gross footage as uh was pointed out if you looked at the architectural plan for the
first floor tenant one has some common space with stairwells on the back corner. Tenant two almost 25% of the area is taken up by stairwells and elevators. So if you were to kind of consider what the net office space is, it's maybe about 25 30% less than what
that gross is, which then would reduce actual parking demand because obvious usable area is a lot less. So the number of doctors or examining examination rooms might be kind of restricted a little bit, but have just kind of on the side. We're still going on based on
gross square footage. The other part of is we had to get a DOT permit for the driveways in this use. Uh the DOT limits the amount of traffic that can be increased because of a change in use. So we looked at the change in use going from all office to
office and medical. We're still well under the thresholds that would trigger a new access permit. So we're fine with the DOT permits for the driveway as they now stand. Uh so basically that's that's it and
open for questions. >> Okay. Um Rakkesh would you like to comment? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. Um just our review memo was dated July 18th. I think Mr. Msovvich uh really provided all the testimony that that we had requested in
our memo. Um, with regard to the the parking variance, um, I think the the the testimony that Mr. Miskovich uh provided, I I I think it's u it's valid testimony and it's something that
I could I could definitely support. We have seen I know CO juice is an excuse for a lot of things or a reason for a lot of things, but it's just it's just that it did change a lot of things. So uh there from a viability standpoint there is a less lower demand for just general office. So to make this project
viable you pro I see the applic point in requesting the medical space use. Um and then also just the parking uh u demand is uh is different now than it was when this application was approved in 2016. Um the the demand is a little bit is a
little lower for general office. I know in my office we have quite, you know, we have a few folks that work remotely and all that. So there are less cars parked in our parking lot than there were six, seven years ago. Um, so it's it's a very plausible and viable uh or valid uh testimony. The amount of spaces uh
essentially with the two make ready spaces uh the applicant is providing 38 spaces on paper. Basically, they're 36 spaces, but with the two credit that they get for the for the two EV spaces, it's 38 where 42 is required. So, from a deviation standpoint, we're not talking
about a gross deviation uh from from the requirement. So, I would support the testimony. I don't have any questions for Mr. Nvich, but I'm happy to answer any questions the board may have. >> Okay. Thank you. U anybody to my right? >> No, I just the only comment I tend to
agree. I think it was a lot less and I think it was the testimony of uh first testimony that you actually have four or so people that work remotely to begin with. And I would tend to agree that I I go in just to pick up my my stuff from
my accountant. He gives me my bad news with the check I have to write to him every year. Um but I I know there's not a lot of sitting down and and walking through it. So I mean even though there may be a little bit of excess for the first floor, the second floor will
probably make up for that with folks working remotely and accounting firms also not working a full year because once accounting season I feel like all all accountants escape to Aruba or the Bahamas um post that season. He's he's
laughing because he knows I'm right. But no, I have I have nothing else. one comment that just uh a typical commercial EV position gives you two positions. >> So why wouldn't you consider two and get
the benefit of eight? >> We do have to do. >> So we getting the credit for four >> and that's where it gets confusing is >> thank you >> technical versus physical. >> Okay. Anybody to my left have a question or a comment of this witness?
>> Go ahead. Um, I would just like to say we've all been to that building that there's no parking. That's the worst thing, you know. So, you know, if it is approved, I would really choose wisely who what tenant you put in there because you don't want to jam yourself up. You want to leave growth for yourself. You
know, you currently have nine employees that come to the office. As you you grow, you're going to need additional spots for that. So, I I think the tenant choice is what's really important here. if you had like um an urgent care, there's a lot of people coming in, you know, there's 10 people in the waiting room for that. So, you gotta really
think about that one. >> That's all I have. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> I agree with Casey also. the choice of your tenant is going to be very crucial to to the parking in that building because I've seen parking lots and yes, we've all been to urgent care and you
circle circle circle until you find a spot and with nine employees upstairs and with only 36 spots doesn't leave you much for two medical facilities. >> Yeah, it doesn't. And I think we'd have to police that in the lease. And if it's
being violated, I know it gets a little >> it gets a little hard-c because your two tenants downstairs that are then going to have medical buildings or medical how many employees are they going to have? >> Five six each. >> So that's 12. And the nine upstairs, that's 21.
>> Yeah, it doesn't leave much. >> Yeah, it's only a threshold question for whoever we market this to and negotiate with. >> Anybody else? M >> M Mr. Chairman? >> Yes. Apologize if I if I may. Two things that I I did forget. Um one thing is we
did ask where the EV spaces will be located. Do we do we know where they are? >> So they they will be located uh on the right hand side of the building as you see where the ADA spots is on on a on the front. So one space that right next
to ADA that's around the corner. So those two spots we we have a conduct there in that island area landscape island area not in the front in the front of the building where the ads part is to the right side to the right. No to
come down right so that that okay there. >> Yes. Okay. On the left side of the traffic arrow and a first ADA parking on the right side. So those two spaces can be served by the >> perfect. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. There was a question about building height as well.
>> Um, yeah, I was going to let that go because it's an existing building, but if you can tell us. Sure. >> I believe it's 30 feet. That's correct. >> Yeah, 30 feet. >> Perfect. And last thing, and because Vina's not here and she might be watching from home, so I I just want to make sure I cover it. The the applicant does require relief as it was mentioned
earlier uh for the uh the generator uh location. Specifically, it's section 250-50. All detached accessory structures are to be located to the rear or the front line of the building of the principal building and if located in the sideyard shall conform to the sideyard
requirements uh that would otherwise be applicable. The applicant is actually proposing uh the generator to be forward of the building. Um but it's behind the existing uh trash enclosure. So the enclosure is already uh um in a in a
location that requires relief. Presumably that relief was granted at the time of approval. Uh so this is uh the same relief that was granted for the for the enclosure but just a little bit further back. And I do agree with the location of it uh being the least conspicuous location. It's hidden behind
the the trash enclosure. Uh the applicant's testimony is that it's not a very large uh generator. So it will be effectively hidden behind that enclosure. Um and uh the the benefit that the applicant has of of having the
uh the use of of of the backup power supply I believe uh does outweigh the any uh detriment and from an aesthetic standpoint it is located where where actually causes the least amount of detriment. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh are we finished over
here? Any go ahead. Is there a there parameters on the footprint of that generator because they had mentioned that it's not specked out yet or is this just a rendition? >> So they've given a size but I imagine the testimony will be that it's a generic size but it will be no bigger than that. >> Correct. Yes. Yeah. So we did look into
certain generators and we pick that dimension based on that that it will fit within that area. >> Can you can you just tell us the size of the box? >> So 4 by 8. >> 4x8. So the generator I imagine will be significantly smaller than 4x8 but >> I would expect but I drew it a little
bigger just in case to cover you know any possibilities. >> Thank you. >> What would be the power of the generator? >> Will be powered by gas or >> yes it will be natural gas or >> it'll be natural gas. >> Natural gas. >> Yes. Have you already documented that
they can provide the gas and >> uh we actually the building currently doesn't have any gas service because the entire HBC system is operated by heat uh sorry electric. So we have not approached the gas company but uh we will approach them.
>> So it's possible that you don't have gas enough to run a generator. >> Uh no if we getting a new service we should be able to get the size of the service we need. I don't think it's not like we have ran the service already, which could be undersized. We'll be running the service exclusively for the generator.
>> I hope you're not going to be surprised when the gas company says that they need a bigger line coming to your building. But >> I understand that's up to you. >> Yes, we we have to accept that. Yes. >> Okay. Anybody else? I just want to say that I agree with my uh board members.
you you got to be selective in your medical to to control the parking u with the number of employees. Um I apologize for saying you only had 34. I did go out and I did count the uh two handicap ones
too, but I forgot them. But what I did notice today in my little field trip and I know I need new glasses. Okay. But when you you get to Route Nine and your stop sign's there, your no left
hand turns sign is upside down. It's upside down. I'm looking at I'm saying where am I going? You know, let me I don't know. This was mischief by some people who are driving walking through the property. I don't know. They're coming from the back. And when
we installed the sign, there was a bolt there that keep the sign straight, but they took the top bolt off. And then now now the >> So it just fell down. >> Yeah. The top bolt out. >> I wasn't looking for bolts. I just wanted to go home. >> So So no. So we we we saw that. So I we
told somebody to get the bolt and put it back in. But it is somebody had done a mischief. Basically some young kids going. >> Yeah. I didn't know whether go left or right. >> No, no, no. I understand. >> Okay. Okay. >> You should guys definitely get that fixed sooner than later. We don't want
to >> Absolutely. Especially on a state highway. We don't want to direct anybody to >> Okay. I'd like to open it to the public. Any comments? See no hands? Close the public comments. >> Okay. Uh chair, Mr. Chairman, thank you. A, uh, vote in favor of this application
would be to grant the amended preliminary final major site plan approval with the variance relief requested. And you know as the uh was stated through the testimony as well as the presentation by Mr. Toto that really is um you know the approval that's you know being uh sought in connection with
this amended approval is to uh clarify that more than uh uh there's no clarify the limitation of only two tenants permitted at the site to allow that the uh the second uh tenant on the first floor as was originally sound the testimony is that it was originally
intended but um somehow got lost along the way. uh to allow the type of tenant being the medical use being located in the first floor. Uh to add a generator to the site subject to the testimony and the variances required and uh the last being that the board would not be
opposed to a temporary uh CO being uh issued prior to the final installation of the elevator but all final approval and authority is left to the construction official as to whether that is granted or not. >> Question can we separate those items? the um temporary certificate of
occupancy uh and the site approval and all the other approval for the generator. >> Sure. So you you want you're asking if we can vote just on the the issue with the elevator separate >> the Yeah. >> Take a note. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean as long as the chairman you're okay with that. Yeah.
Then then my summary goes to up to the point of the temporary um uh the objection or standing with regard to the issuance of the temporary CO with regard in connection with the installation of the elevator. Uh so uh a vote on that we'll take a second vote on that separately.
>> Okay. U can we have a motion to move this forward? >> Move it. >> Okay. >> Second. >> Mr. Dana. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lenning. >> Yes. Mr. Agopian, >> yes. >> Mr. Rena, >> yes. >> Mr. Petty, >> yes.
>> Miss Misella, >> yes. >> Mr. McGisac, >> yes. >> Mr. Brennan, >> yes. >> Mr. Ferrara, >> yes. >> And Chairman Low, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. And then the the as was questioned by the board member, we'll hold a second vote on whether uh the board is in favor
of um as part of this approval, I'm not going to do a sec separate resolution if it's okay. if if granted uh uh or denied that the um uh depending on the vote of the the board, but whether or not the board will uh make a statement in its in
its uh to the uh excuse me to the construction official as part of this approval that it has no objection to the elevator being uh or the issuance of a temporary CO prior to the elevator being finally installed and completed. >> Thank you, Joe.
>> Can I Joe, can I can I say something? >> Oh, sure. Go ahead. >> Um, since the since the elevator service is the second floor only, so if it could be possible to make part of this is TCO would be for the first
floor only, not the second floor. >> Well, again, wouldn't that be up to the >> right? I just want to make sure that um that those are under the purview of the building department, not under here. Um,
I just want to make sure that we're all on the same page, Joe, that we anything we do that there's the separation >> that that distinction really won't come into play because ultimately the decision is left with the construction department. So, in either in instance, you know, it's just going to be whether
the structure construction department grants it or not. Um, so but if um we want if the board wants to condition its nonobjection um I guess we could do so but ultimately you know whether that condition gets
enforced or not that still would be outside of our purview because it's a condition on something that's not within this board's jurisdiction. Does that I know I'm saying a lot of words. I'm trying to make it make sense because it's a little confusing. >> Simple English. What does that mean? A yes vote. Uh well >> no I know I know
>> it depends on you know a yes >> favorable vote of yes means >> a yes vote would be to that the there's no objection to this board with the construction official granting the TCO um >> if they so approve >> if they so approve it whether it's for the first floor or the second floor that's still that's going to be up to
the discretion of the construction department. >> Are we all clear on that? >> I think so. I hope so. >> Okay. U do you have a qu? >> Yeah, but if we say no, construction official >> if we say no, the construction could
still say yes. But it's sounding from the testimony that was provided that the construction department was hesitant on doing that. So they wanted to hear what the opinion of the board was first. That's what I understand from the testimony. >> Correct. If you say no, there needs to be something substantial there. >> No, we we could this board this is
really that's why it's kind of confusing. This vote, the second vote now is outside of the jurisdiction of this board. The construction part department was just hesitant on granting a TCO without knowing what this board felt based upon the pri the terms of the
prior approval. So what this board will say is either yes, we're comfortable with it or no, we're not comfortable with it. But ultimately, the final jurisdiction, the final say is left to the construction department. So it's really just more of a sentiment. It's like a non-binding referendum or or resolution, you know, vote.
>> Okay. Are are we all happy now? >> I'll move it. I'll move it. >> Okay. It's been moved. I'll second. >> Mr. Palmer? >> Yes. >> Mr. Lenning? >> Yes. >> Mr. Agopian? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rena? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Petty? >> Yes. I hope >> Miss Misella. >> Yes. >> Mr. McGisac. >> Yes. Yes. >> Mr. Bernon. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ferrara. >> Yes. >> Chairman Lowour. >> Yes. >> Good luck. >> Yeah. Thank you for your time this evening. We appreciate it. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
>> You guys made me work today. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um >> now Joe did the telecommunications. She said the attorney. Did she mean you?
>> No. Good. I like Zoom. >> Okay. Uh we're open up to general public comments. >> Uh seeing none, close that portion. Uh can I get a uh motion to adjurnn? Move
it. Second. >> All in favor? I >> I