Ramsey Planning Board Meetings

Ramsey Planning Board

PLANNING BOARD - JUNE 3, 2003

The main topic of discussion was the construction projects that the Board of Education proposes at the High School, Tisdale School, Smith School and Hubbard School, as well as the Dater School issue whether to renovate or to build a new school.

After the presentation, Mayor Muti raised a number of issues concerning Lan Associates and the accuracy of their reports.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15. The hearing will be continued on Thursday, June 12, 2003, at the Mayor and Council chambers. Please try to attend if you can. The issues being discussed are of the utmost importance.

Update - May 20, 2003

Most important application before the PB starting with the last meeting is the Prestige/Toyota complex on RT17N. We have finished with the Recreation Field (Little League baseball & soccer) being donated by this party to Ramsey. The fields, located by McFarren field, will be accessed via Williams Drive, will have lighting donated, plus $40,000 cash for an improved field house to replace the existing one. The Field House, as envisioned by the Recreational Committee, will be two (2) story. This entire "donation" of land and fields plus cash is probably a value of $1.0 million +.

Also, finished is the approval for some 108 Town Houses that proportedly will be in the $500K range. However, I have some reservations regarding this being a viable construction since I'm not so sure that age/children limited homes for the over 55 group will be willing to pay such a price for an area with two lighted recreational facilities on borders some 150+ feet distant. The zoning allows for more homes than presently spoken of. It bears watching what the developer comes in with in view of the marketing survey that should be a part of the individual's business plan. There may also be some with an attitude of "who cares what is built there when your talking of the magnitude of the recreational facility donated."

I have some reservations regarding the DOT approval for the ingress/egress roads; Williams Drive serving the residential and the recreational at RT 17N, and the RT17N access about 450ft. north of Williams Dr., that will serve the dealership, both in combination with the further north access to Franklin Trpke with the blend coming off RT17N. I was surprised that the DOT has not requested acceleration/ deceleration roadways within this area, and that they are satisfied with the normal "shoulder" (some 10 ft wide) common along RT17 N or S. Think of this area of road movement/ activity to serve this complex but not in terms of the some 1000 ft+ area, but consider that distance of moving traffic doing what they will be doing at 55mph + which translates better to 80 ft per second.

60 mph = 88 fps
65 mph = 93 fps
70mph = 102 fps

What I'm saying is that I think there should have been accommodation for both shoulder and accel/decel in this area, remembering that the DOT and as a comparison, it's Federal FAA, merely specify what they consider "the minimums" and will always error on the side of corporate economics...not really safety as they so often boast is their main concern.

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On a separate topic but related that I think the membership should be apprised of and perhaps give some thought to as residents, is the naming of some three (3) public facilities that will be coming up at Council Mtgs plus I'm sure individual town groups as well. I'm sure that some groups will claim "the right" to be the sole namer.

Naming of:

The new recreational field complex being donated by Prestige
The Garrison Pond & Park area being donated
Escapes my immediate memory

I suggest there should be town-wide participation in selection of these names. Perhaps everyone should be encourage to submit two (2) names with an essay as to why that person's name should be used. There could be parameters established such as service to our community, the state and our country. It could involve a committee of residents, old timers and new, various occupations and backgrounds, who receive the essays and make a recommendation to the Mayor and Council. It should not be left to just the mayor/ council, or individuals who are say running the present Recreational Comittee....however certainly these groups as a whole should be encouraged to submit their recommendation. Just as the RCA might submit ours. It could be a very nice event in the town.
--JP Tristani

Meeting - 2/4/2003

Since the helistop issue has been resolved, the Planning Board meetings have become quiet and uneventful. At this meeting, the following matters were resolved:

1. Heidt Buick was given approval by 7 in favor and 1 abstention vote to build a new showroom and generally upgrade his property on Rte. 17 So.

2. Delmore Developers was given approval to move 445 cu. yds. of soil total, by an 8-0 vote. This will be located at 121 Furman Ave.

3. Glatt Air Technologies must return with an amended site plan for improvement to their property off Spear Road at the March 4, 2003 meeting.

4. Next meeting is February 18, 2003.

Meeting - 1/21/03

Public Hearing

1. Sun Ridge Developers, LLC - Soil moving permit for construction at end of Duck Pond Lane was heard. Residents of Duck Pond Lane were present and voiced concerns over drainage and a possibility of flooding. The Planning Board will continue to hear this application on 3/4/03.

2. Brown Dog, LLC - Variance to allow an out building to exceed the specified square footage allowed at 14 Overbrook Road, and also to convert a dwelling to an office at same address. Planning Board requested further information on the site and will be presented and heard on 3/4/03.
Next Planning Board meeting is 2/5/03.