reporting in progress. >> Good. >> Y >> Okay. Call the order. Please read the statement. >> Welcome to the public meeting of March 18th, 2026 of the Township of Washington Planning Board.
Adequate notice of the meeting, excuse me, was given in accordance with the open public meetings act by the board secretary to at least two newspapers on January 15, 2026. And this meeting has been posted by the Township Bulletin board electronic message board,
WCTV, and on the township website. I have a public notice uh to read. Governor Murphy signed into law on June 30th, 2025 a new law which reflects the transition from traditional print newspaper to online platforms as of
March 1st, 2026. You will find on our township website a tab on the homepage named public notices where all official public notices are required to be posted and may be obtained or viewed. These documents in addition will have a hyperlink to the Secretary of State's
public notice web page. Thank you, Grace. Salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Carol >> here. >> Mr. Pledo >> here. >> Mr. Tul >> here. Mr. Toro is absent. Mr. Wansky is absent. Councilman Olman >> here. >> Mayor Kalamari >> here.
>> Chairman Sabino >> here. >> Let the record reflect also in attendance are attorney Siobhan Bailey, engineer Paul Anelina, and Secretary Grace Kaylor. >> Thank you, Grace. Please read the public portion. >> To participate in the general public portion of the meeting, please click the
link below to join the webinar. You'll be asked to state your name and address for the record and we ask that only one person speak at a time. This public comment portion is only for non-aggenda items. Time is set aside later in the meeting to address questions or comments about current agenda items. If you are
participating by phone, press star 9 to raise your hand and star six to unmute. At the end of the general public portion, no further general questions or comments will be accepted. >> Thank you. Do I have a motion to open the public portion? So move.
>> I'll second. All >> in favor? >> I >> I. >> Anyone in the audience wants to address the planning board on topics other than what's on the agenda for this evening? >> No. No one in the audience. Anyone on Zoom?
>> No. >> Okay. Do we have a motion to close the public portion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> Okay. On to new business. Application of Alexander Alexander Vitan LLC for a
major soil permit at 83 Gorg Place block 1201.01. The applicant here. >> Yes. >> Good evening. Jennifer Bardo of the firm Worcan Leman. On behalf of the applicant, the applicant is an owner of property located 83 border place which
is also known as block 1201 lot 1.01. The property is located within the AAA district, the single family residential district, and was previously um a part of the subdivision, a larger subdivision approval um for the area. The applicant
is here this evening seeking soil moving uh approval by this board in order to construct their single family home with a pool, a patio, and associated site improvements. With me this evening, I do have Mr. Tyler Vanderbal, who I believe
has been sworn before this board a couple of times, but I am certainly happy to put on or request his uh professional background for this board if you'd like. >> Now, Mr. Vanderval has appeared twice before. This is your third time, and the
board has previously approved your professional qualifications. So, I think uh councelor, we're good. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. And just to confirm, Mr. Vanderol, you have visited the site and you've prepared um the
plans for us that have been submitted as part of this application. >> Yes, that's correct. >> And you've assisted with the preparation. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um could you please skip the board? >> Sure. >> Can you raise your right hand? Um do you
swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in connection with this application? >> Yes, I do. >> Thank you. Um, can I get the remote the microphone? Very close. >> And council, have you received a copy of our engineers report?
>> Okay. >> Thank you. >> So, Mr. Vandervald, as in previous uh testimony, please include the penny points that our engineer >> has detailed in his report as part of your testimony. >> Absolutely. Sure. >> Sure. So, if you could please just give
the board a little bit of background on the particular lot that we are here for this evening. >> Okay. Sure. So, this lot actually was brought up in testimony in relation to the lot across the street um primarily because this project results in an
export of soil and a place needs uh for that soil to go. And we talked about that on the prior application for the lot of Quest Street which is lot 1.05 5 as they were in need of imported soil. Um, and those owners will be negotiating
a deal to make that happen as it will be more convenient for both of them. Uh, as mentioned, this lot is part of a larger subdivision that we've heard a couple of other applications on already. Uh, this one is actually the first on the
easterly side of Korgga Place as part of the subdivision. There's an existing home developed on lot five uh further to the north. Uh that's to the left side of the property as we're looking at it from the street. The property in its existing condition
uh is vacant. There is uh partial clearing along the frontage of the property that was done as part of the road construction. Uh the topography of the properties slopes upward from the street to a high point about where the proposed home is located on the plan at
which point it slopes then down towards the rear or towards the east of the property. Now the proposal is to utilize the existing curb cut located on the southerntherly side of the lot and then have a driveway which comes across the
front of the property to garages located on the left side or north side of the house. Uh this was a benefit given the slope of the property uh not to have such a steep driveway straight in um but rather to spread out that slope across a
longer length of driveway. Uh it also allows us to use the existing curve cut but keep the intended layout for the home uh that the applicant desired. The front driveway is labeled currently at 23 ft. Um Mr. Asia brought up in his
report that the maximum allowed is 22 ft. Um that was an oversight on my part. I did read that ordinance but somehow ended up at 23. Anyway, we will reduce that to 22 feet wide. will have a slight reduction on impervious from what's shown on our table. Um the wider
driveway along the front here is to allow for if they had visitors and whatnot to park and still be able to get around those vehicles. Uh we have a walkway to that front driveway which goes to the front door. And then like I said, we have garages to the left side,
a singlecar garage, sideline facing, and then a twocar garage facing place. Uh we move around to the rear of the structure. Um unlike the prior applications, this house is not set out set up with a walkout basement, but
rather the main patio areas and swimming pool are actually going to be at the first floor level. Uh so we walk around to the rear of the house, and that's what we have is an argade patio with swimming pool that is all um made level and held above grade there with the
proposed retaining wall surrounding it. Towards the right rear of the home, we do have a uh covered patio area, a loia there. And then below that, we actually have a lower patio or courtyard where we do have a small walk out location from
the basement. So that's where we're exiting exiting at the basement level uh before a series of stairs brings us up to a rear level area, which is about uh halfway between the pool elevation and the walkout basement elevation. So, this further to the rear of the pool will be
a a lawn space where we have proposed the drainage improvements uh before we have the final retaining wall which brings us down uh to original grid. Speaking of drainage, uh the proposal here is for three dry wells which will
collect the roof runoff and patio runoff. Um the driveway runoff will go to the street collection system and ultimately to the subdivision system which was already installed discussed in prior prior applications. Ultimately
that's a crosscore place down below lot 105 across the street. We will be supplementing this design uh in accordance with Mr. Mr. Asalina's report uh rather than discharging the lower courtyard as currently shown uh
out of the retaining wall without any recharge, we will be supplying a small recharge chamber for that small patio area rather than just discharging it freely on the slope as recommended. soil movement as part of the application
uh consists of a total excavation on site of 1972 cubic yards. Uh a total fill on site of 262 cubic yards for a net export of 1,710 cubic yards. Uh as you may recall, lot
105 across the street required a bit over 2,000 cubic yards. Uh so that is the intended location of this. However, if for whatever reason the timeline doesn't work out, um the anticipated builder uh for the project does have
some potential other locations that he could bring the fill to, but that wouldn't be ideal for the client given the the cost to move it there as opposed to just across the street, which is the goal. But just so the board is aware, there are other opportunities available to the applicant.
As far as zoning goes, uh we're not requesting any variances. Uh we're compliant on all our setbacks and coverages just to give an idea here. Maximum impervious coverage for the zone 30%. And we are at 20.9%. Uh so a healthy amount below. Similarly
for building coverage 20% permitted 8% proposed. Um there it was a comment in this report regarding the height of the structure as shown in our site plan. It is compliant. We will need to coordinate a little further with the architect. I
think it's about 9 or 10 in um above what we're showing here, which would not be compliant. I've confirmed with the architect that that ridge line can be lowered to be uh compliant with the ordinance. So, we're not seeking any height variance as part of the application.
Uh there are a number of tree removals as part of the application. As mentioned, there were some some clearing already done on the front of the lot as part of the road construction. The additional tree removal proposed uh is a total of 17 trees and then given
the required replacement schedule for your ordinance would be required a total of 36 replacement trees. Uh again similar conversation to prior applications. We have proposed the full number of replacement trees here on the plan. Some
of them are somewhat uh dense and tightly put together. Now that being the case, we have proposed the type of tree that allows for that. Uh but even so, that in addition to the trees that will still be required as part of the workplace construction and subdivision approval,
um may be too much uh to fit within this specific area. And so we would agree to the conditions in this as in this report whereby um we basically would seek to do the best we can. And then anything else that we're short would need to be supplemented by paying into the uh
replacement fund. I think there are a number of other open comments. Uh there was a comment regarding uh the sewer connection line. Uh I think we need to increase that slope by a small percentage. We're showing right now 1.7% slope. That should be closer to
2.1%. I don't see any issues in making that happen. Um there will be further review of the structural design for retaining walls. So we anticipate uh that review as part of the building permit application. Um but those details
and calculations were submitted. Uh we spoke about storm water management uh addition removal. Uh there's a question as to trees that are marked on the property but not marked on the plan for removal. I will
coordinate with the applicant and see if those were additional trees that were sought to be removed. If that's the case, then the plan will be revised uh accordingly. But it is our intent to fully comply with the ordinance in regards to tree removal and replacement.
Um the only other item I guess for discussion in the report I believe there was a question or there was a point made about bond required. approximately 85,000 or so. Um I don't know if it's a
record for the resolution and that's why I bring it up now. Maybe this is an item that could be further discussed upon submission of an estimate of some kind. So I don't know if the number would quite be that high um for the soil movement specifically.
>> Well, that number includes the cost of retaining wall construction. >> Oh, okay. drainage improvements. >> Okay. >> Most likely it's probably a little bit more than than that number, but >> fair. Okay. >> Just a historical number that's been
used uh by the township based on a cubic yard figure. So that's the number that I've >> All right. I appreciate you clarifying. For some reason, I was thinking it was just for the import export. >> No, when you read the code, that section of the code, it says performance bonds
can be required for even landscaping, which Okay. Um, I don't put that large a number in in that a certificate of occupancy would not be recommended. So, it would not be in anybody's interest to not do what's
on the plan. So, >> appreciate. >> Was there anything else? >> No, I think you've hit everything. Um just to confirm we are compliant and variance free with respect to this application and the majority or all of the soil is intended to be moved to one
of the other lots um to be constructed within this um area. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Okay. And to the extent that there are any outstanding items with respect to Mr. Aelina's report, you will modify the plans, provide additional calculations and work with Mr. to Mr. Aelina's
satisfaction. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you. I have no further questions of Mr. Vanderval. >> Great. Thank you, counselor. Thank you, Mr. Vanderval. >> Mr. Aelina, any uh aspects of your report which have
not been uh discussed? >> No, I believe uh Mr. Vanbul has touched on everything about the only further discussion that that should be had would be relative to the uh tree replacement. So, typically with a a property such as this, you're you're going to have an
elaborate landscape plan toward the end of the project. Is is that the applicant's uh intention to develop a a landscape plan? >> Yes. >> So, I agree with Mr. Vanderborg that the plan satisfies numerically the the
requirements of the ordinance, but most likely not in keeping with what the the applicants propose. So, I would just say um based on the statements offered by by the applicant that they'll conform to the requirements of of my report uh and
the code that um the future landscape plan be reviewed by me and if there's any uh deviation I would bring it to the to the board's attention but the proposal is if it doesn't work numerically that they will
uh make the inind contribution to the tantric tree fund $400 per unit based on whatever deficiency. So my report spoke of a uh basically a onetoone replacement uh but under the code there would be a a
greater number. So that's that's really the only discussion to be had is what the board envisions the the required replacement you know strictly in accordance with with the code which would be a larger number. the the 36 or
so plus the 10 or so that are are part of the overall subdivision improvements shown on this property. So that's that's what I'm asking. Um is the board looking for a greater
number or or somewhat less and is okay with any monetary uh contribution? Any comments from the board members before I provide my point of view? >> I mean I would just like whatever is reasonable. Um so I don't want the
number of trees to go down too far where you're making whole contribution to the tree fund. So Paul, you know, I've trusted your judgment many years now, you know, so I trusted again that you know, you won't allow it to go too low. But >> thank you. So, I'd also like to point
out so what's uh so this property they actually would have the the ability to plant a number of trees on this property because they are basically leaving the easterly portion of of the site undisturbed. Um now, if you were to plant trees in that area, it's an
extensive tree canopy. They they probably wouldn't survive. So, it's kind of a waste. Um, so I I think that is is a benefit to to the rest of the town to maintain that uh buffer between the the properties.
>> Um, so that's why I'm saying I I think it will be tight uh planting just within the front portion of the site. So I think there will be some some amount of trees going to the to the tree. >> Thank Thank you. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And I I agree with the mayor's
point of view and Mr. Aelina, we'll leave it up to your professional judgment as to uh how many trees can be replaced and uh if they can't, then I would expect the applicant to provide
the funds to the town's tree fund. >> We'll certainly coordinate with Mr. Aelina's office as to that. And the intent really is to replace as many as possible on the site. You just have to make sure that there is a sufficient amount of space for them to grow and thrive. >> Yeah. And the worst thing you plant, you
spend all this money to plant trees and they all die and then it looks ugly because they all turn brown, >> right? >> Okay. All right. Uh any M? >> No, I believe Mr. Vanderbach has has covered everything uh in my report.
>> Okay. Thank you. Any questions from the board members of the applicant? just uh can you speak to the water retention? Um my concern in looking at the I guess the
most easterly part of the property that's really being untouched is the slope to that uh I guess easterly lot behind. um and don't want to introduce by the
new construction additional waters going to the neighboring lot. >> Yes, absolutely. So, uh again in the current condition the high point of the slope is about where the house is
proposed on the property. Uh so today when it rains um there is a certain amount of capture in the ground obviously in the wooded areas uh and there is ultimately a certain runoff number off the rear from that area. the
intent of our design and again given that this was part of a major development of the subdivision, we're using the hundred-year storm event. Uh so a significant rainfall it our intent is to capture any hard
surface that would be headed towards that rear area, capture it and recharge it in the ground so it doesn't have an opportunity to flow over land. And so thereby um by our calculations this would result in actually a decrease in runoff to the rear with the ability to
recharge those surfaces the runoff from those surfaces uh into the ground. And then of course everything in the front the um the design of the overall subdivision system uh was taking the driveways into account already.
>> Uh Mr. Vanderbal can you please explain what recharge means? I'm a CPA. I'm not an engineer. So >> So um again if we take this wooded slope u the science would basically say that given your slope condition given your
ground cover condition right? So if you have flat woods that's probably your best recharge condition. Most water is getting to the ground. You have very steep site still woods then the result would be less water is going to get into the ground. although it's still better than if it was paved obviously. Uh so
there's this sliding scale so to speak um on all your different coverages and slopes and whatnot. So our goal is to continue to recharge despite the fact that we're putting down hard surface. So instead of having a roof and the water hits the roof and now just goes running
off somewhere, we're going to capture that water in the gutters and we're going to pipe it into an underground system. So, we're injecting it into the ground, so to speak, rather than letting it naturally flow over land, and some of it gets into the ground. We're just going to take that water rainfall from
our patio areas and from our roof, and we're going to pipe it directly into these dry wells, which are open bottom um concrete structures, and they have holes around the side, and they're in a bed of stone. And this allows for a storage, a certain capacity. So as it rains, it's filling up and then over
time it can slowly let it into the ground. So that's the intent of the recharge. >> Okay. Now, when you mentioned the uh big cylinders and the rocks >> Mhm. >> Mr. Aini made made me put one in my house when I put in mine. So now now I fully understand
>> exactly what it is. >> But you did complain a lot though. I did complain a lot. >> I will note that for the record. >> Thank you. Thank you for that explanation. Okay. >> Any further questions uh >> from any of the board members? >> Councilman,
>> one other. So, um >> maybe I'm like a little too hung up on this, but the movement of soil, I know, uh with a prior application, it was discussed that there would be soil moving within the
subdivision, the new subdivision, and some of the testing wouldn't be required. uh which I understood. I guess my question is how does the soil get from
lot 1.01 to lot 1.05 and is that overseen by Mr. Aelina to ensure that the curbing and the road isn't destroyed. So
>> yeah, we would monitor that and if there is any damage then Mr. Patan's contractor if he he was the cause of the the damage, he would be responsible for that. But yes, that that is definitely monitored and it's just going to be a a dump truck
basically going across the street. >> Okay. Just want to make sure. >> Yep. That's really all we're talking about. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Appreciate that detailed explanation. >> Dump truck as technical as different
kinds of dump truck. We're probably talking truck uh articulated, you know, you know. >> Okay. >> That's even better. Can you can you draw from sir? >> Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. >> Any further
>> Thank you. No, I just wanted to thank the board for your time this evening. Um the one of the applicants actually is a resident or has grown up in Washington Township her whole life. She's excited to finally move back to where her parents live and all of her other family
members and they are excited to get the project um up and running. So, thank you so much for your time this evening. >> Great. Thank you. >> At this time, I'd like to open up the meeting to public comments. Do I have a motion to open?
>> So moved. Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Anyone in the public wants to address the planning board on this application? No one. Anyone on Zoom? >> No one. Do I have a motion to close the
public comment portion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Next. Uh, do I have a motion to approve this application as uh as amended for the driveway and other requirements? uh
details with Taselina's report. >> I'll make that motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Roll. >> Mr. Carol, >> yes. >> Mr. Pledo, >> yes. >> Mr. Tulle, >> yes.
>> Mr. Alman, >> yes. >> Mayor Kari, >> yes. >> Chairman, >> yes. Application has been approved. >> Thank you very much. Yeah. Look forward to uh rejoining you rejoining the township. >> Welcome back to town.
>> Thank you. >> Okay, Mr. Vanderol, you have what? Five more to go. >> Still got a little break for me. I haven't started it on. >> Oh, okay. Take care. >> Thank you.
All right. No old business. >> Moving on to minutes. December 17, 2025. Any uh comments on minutes, corrections? None.
Do we have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Carol, >> yes. >> Mr. Pledo, >> yes. >> Mr. Tulle, >> yes. >> Councilman, >> yes. Mayor Kalamari.
>> Yes. >> Chairman Spino. >> Yes. >> December 17, 2025, close session. >> Any comments on the meet on the meeting minutes? >> None. Do I have a motion to approve? >> I'll move.
>> Second. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Carol. >> Yes. >> Mr. Pledo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Tulle. Yes. >> Councilman Alman. >> Yes. >> Mayor Kari. >> Yes. >> Chairman Sabino. >> Yes.
>> We don't have the January 7th 7th minutes. I didn't want to send them out at the last minute. So, we'll see. >> Okay. Great. >> All right. Last uh agenda item. Any board member have any issues, comments, thoughts, epiphies that they would like
to discuss? I don't know if uh M Bailey uh wanted to speak to um
Monday's uh council meeting with regard to the referral back. >> Oh yes, sure. Um so you may recall that um Joe Burgess came before uh the board on March 4th >> on the amended 2026 housing development
and fair share plan together with some implementing ordinances. Um, since after the first reading of ordinance 2602, which was the the real meaty ordinance that created those two
AH2 zones, one of the property owners uh one in one of those districts, 660 Pasc, um their engineer kind of said, "Oh, wait a minute. We need some changes in those standards." So in facing the mandatory statutory deadline, we had to
proceed forward with adoption of 2602 as it was. It had to be adopted by Monday night and then thereafter we introduced a corrective ordinance on first reading which will be back before this board together with the another amended
housing element fair plan to make you know the consistency review correct. We're hoping that that that is the extent of what the developers um changes are, but you know uh this is a
difficult process. Um it's being done under rushed circumstances. So that's always going to lend itself to oh gosh I you know I missed this or that. Um and not to excuse it, it was kind of sent over on a late date, but it is what it is. So, we're working with that developer engineer because we have an
obligation to do that. So, we'll be back before this board on those changes and you'll have better opportunity to fully review that. >> Got it. Got it. And if I understand correctly, >> Mr. Burgess had made a comment during the presentation of the fair housing
plan that he had gotten some last minute uh clarifications. So, I'm soon that >> these are newer than that. >> Oh, newer than that. Those were incorporated in in that ordinance. >> Got it. >> Yeah. These these are actually in addition to that.
>> So it's more than just a density of >> Right. It it it's minor adjustments. I I guess when you go back and you look we're not going to hit the maximum impous coverage. We need this amount. >> We need you know this set back. We need
a little more room on this side. Um >> those details. Um, listen, they could come in and they could ask for variances on all of that, but as you recall, we're also seeking to settle a pending appeal with them on that commercial development. >> So, uh, it's it's a little more
involved, >> right? >> But at the end of the day, the town's in compliance with the deadlines, which >> Yes. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh the only other comment I want to make
is that uh the next board meeting unfortunately I'll be out of the country. I'm going back to Thailand for a client client business. So uh Bill Mr. Carol will take over as the chairman of that of that meeting
>> and it's on Monday right >> 30th just as a reminder. >> So >> please give Mr. Carroll the respect you give me. had good comments, Lenny. >> Great. No, thank you. Uh, so with that,
uh, do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion. >> I'll second. All >> in favor? I thank you.