Chairman Nado: Let's just make sure we're live. Okay, the meeting of the Somerville Planning Board for June 26, 2024, will please come to order.

Chairman Nado: Adequate notice of this meeting, as required by the Open Public Meeting Act, has been provided. A copy of a notice specifying the date, time, and location was:

1. Posted on the bulletin board outside Borough Hall.

2. Mailed, faxed, or emailed to the current news.

3. Given to the Clerk Administrator.

This meeting is a judicial proceeding. Any questions or comments must be limited to the issues the Board may legally consider in reaching a decision, and that decorum appropriate to a judicial hearing must be maintained at all times.

Chairman Nado: Roll call.

- Chairman Nado: Here

- Mr. Rinsky: Here

- Mayor Gallagher: Here

- Councilman Vroom: Here

- Miss Adir: Here

- Miss Warner: Here

- Mr. Crasa: Here

- Mr. Cresties: Here

- Mr. Cleveland: Here

- Mr. Addx: Here

- Mr. Ain: Here

Chairman Nado: Pledge of Allegiance.

(All recite the Pledge of Allegiance)

Chairman Nado: Approval of the minutes for June 12th.

Board Member: So moved.

Board Member: Second.

Chairman Nado: Any additions or corrections?

(Roll call vote)

- Chairman Nado: Yes

- Mr. Zinski: Yes

- Mr. CA: Yes

- Mr. Cresties: Yes

- Mr. Cleveland: Yes

- Mr. Ady: Yes

Chairman Nado: And we still have a pending resolution, and we've got a topic on the agenda. Before we proceed, can I get a status update on the resolution?

Board Member: Sure, the resolution involves the front facade of the facility. The applicant's attorney is working on the language. The ARB approved the front facade, and the resolution will incorporate both approvals.

Chairman Nado: Thank you. Next, the fence ordinance.

Chairman Nado: I'll give a brief background. The gentleman in the audience today, those of us that live on corners face a challenge with front yards versus side yards versus back yards. Sir, please give your name and address for the record.

Bosco Kadovic: Bosco Kadovic, 476 East Main Street. I'm on the corner of East Main and South Richards. We've been there for 21 years. We want to put up a 5-ft fence for privacy, but we got denied due to the ordinance.

Chairman Nado: What was the basis of the denial?

Bosco Kadovic: It was a 5-ft fence, and the ordinance requires 40% transparency for fences.

Chairman Nado: Let's discuss the issue and potential solutions. The current ordinance doesn't account for unique property layouts. We need to craft language that redefines where the front yard ends on a corner lot.

Board Member: I agree, but does it work for every house? We may need a safety net.

Bosco Kadovic: The ordinance doesn't mention side yards, only front and back yards. This causes issues for corner properties like mine.

Chairman Nado: We understand the problem and will work on fixing it. We'll task Mike with crafting some language for the next meeting.

Board Member: I'll come up with some language for the next Planning Board meeting for review.

Chairman Nado: Thank you, Bosco, for bringing this to our attention.

Bosco Kadovic: Thank you for having me.

Chairman Nado: We have other ordinances in the packet related to fencing. Any comments?

Board Member: No comments tonight. I'll open the meeting to the public.

Chairman Nado: Seeing no public, we'll close the public session. Go ahead, Larry.

Larry: In front of the new buildings at JSM, they were supposed to put in larger trees. They didn't follow the approved plan.

Chairman Nado: This is an administrative issue, not a policy issue. It should be handled administratively. Any further communication on this must go through Borough Hall.

Larry: Understood. I just want to ensure it's taken seriously.

Chairman Nado: It will be handled administratively. If it happens again, I will ask for resignations. This discussion is over.

Chairman Nado: At this point, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.

Board Member: Second.

Chairman Nado: All those in favor?

(All): Aye.

Chairman Nado: All those opposed? Thank you.

Watch the Planning Board Meeting:

Disclaimer: This summary is not a word-for-word transcription of the Somerville Planning Board meeting held on June 12, 2024. This meeting summary was created from captions, which may contain errors. For readability and organization, formatting, styling for emphasis, and section names have been added. This account is not associated with the local government of Somerville or any official Borough of Somerville channels. The views and information shared here are independent and do not represent the official stance of the Borough of Somerville.

Opening:

• "All right, I'll give it a couple of seconds. The meeting of the Somerville Planning Board for June 12, 2024, will please come to order. Adequate notice of this meeting, as required by the Open Public Meeting Act, has been provided. A copy of the notice specifying the date, time, and location was:

  1. Posted on the bulletin board outside Borough Hall.

  2. Mailed, faxed, or emailed to The Courier News.

  3. Given to the clerk administrator.

Judicial Proceeding:

• This meeting is a judicial proceeding. Any questions or comments must be limited to the issues that the board may legally consider in reaching a decision, and decorum appropriate to a judicial hearing must be maintained at all times.

Roll Call:

• Chairman Nado: Here

• Ms. Razinski: Here

• Mayor Gallagher: Here

• Councilman Vom: Here

• Ms. Adir: Here

• Ms. Warner: Here

• Mr. CA: Here

• Mr. CR: Here

• Mr. Cleveland: Here

• Mr. Addex: Here

• Mr. Aens: (Not present)

Pledge of Allegiance:

• "I pledge allegiance 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."

Meeting Proceedings:

1. Approval of Minutes:

   • "Approval of minutes for May 22nd. I'll move. Second. Any additions or corrections? Okay, when you're ready, John."

   • Roll Call Vote:

     • Chairman Nado: Yes

     • Ms. Razinski: Yes

     • Ms. Warner: Yes

     • Mr. KCO: Yes

2. Resolution for Route 22 Application:

   • "We have a resolution for the Route 22 application. I'll move that we approve it. Second. Any other comments on it?"

   • Roll Call Vote:

     • Chairman Nado: Yes

     • Ms. Rosinski: Yes

     • Councilman Vom: Yes

     • Mr. KCO: Yes

     • Mr. Cleveland: Yes

     • Mr. Addex: Yes

3. Live Streaming Issue:

   • "Chairman, I just want to point out the meeting right now is being live-streamed under the Borough Council meeting from last week. So instead of being broadcast on tonight's night, it's being broadcast on June 3rd currently."

Pending Resolution for Taco on Division Street:

• "We have one pending resolution for the Taco on Division Street, but we don't have that in front of us at this point."

  • Board Member: "Didn't we approve that about six or eight months ago?"

  • Chairman Nado: "I don't remember when we did that. It was a while back."

Discussion on Gun Store Near Elementary School:

• Process for Buying a Gun:

  • "You can't just walk into a gun store and buy a gun. The process includes getting a Firearms ID card, which allows you to buy long guns. You have to go through the process again each time you want to buy a handgun. Age restrictions: 18 or older for a Firearms ID card, 21 or older for a handgun. All handled by the local police department."

  • Comments from the Board:

    • Board Member 1: "It's hard to make a decision without all the information."

    • Board Member 2: "We need to understand what we can lawfully do in terms of zoning, signage, and creating safe zones around schools."

• Expert Involvement:

  • "We talked to the state police and the prosecutor's office, but they won't come to a public meeting to discuss it."

  • Chairman Nado: "It's up to us to decide whether or not we want to recommend restrictions on where gun stores can be located."

• Legal and Zoning Considerations:

  • "We can't restrict gun shops based on safe zones around schools unless it's defined in state law."

  • "Our role is to make recommendations to the council. The council would have to create an ordinance to prohibit sales within certain areas, but it might be challenged as an amendment right."

• Holistic Zoning Approach:

  • Board Member: "We need to look at the master plan and make comprehensive zoning recommendations. Instead of focusing on one type of store, we should look at all allowable uses in the zones and make adjustments based on what is appropriate for the community."

Public Comments:

1. Colin Driver (Economic Development Director):

   • "We are requesting proposals from professionals to guide us through the process of revising our zoning laws and master plan. This will be done in a transparent manner with public meetings."

2. Maisy W (Resident):

   • Community Involvement:

     "How can residents contribute to the planning process?"

     • Chairman Nado: "We will have public meetings, and you can provide input during those sessions. There will also be options to send emails or letters."

3. Megan A (Resident):

   • Gun Violence Concerns: "Shared statistics on gun store-related crimes and urged for better communication and timely action from the borough council and planning board."

4. Emily Q (Resident):

   • Holistic Planning: "Suggested considering age restrictions for businesses near schools and expressed concern about future developments during the rezoning process."

5. Rich O'Neil (Zoning Board Member):

   • Clarification on Zoning Board’s Role: "The zoning board only hears applications for variances. We don't have the authority to approve or deny businesses."

6. Caroline F. (Resident):

   • Safety and Transparency: "Raised concerns about the lack of transparency in approving businesses and the safety implications of having a gun store near an elementary school."

7. Bill C. (Resident):

   • Feedback on Shared Information: "Criticized the choice of a Second Amendment advocacy website for explaining gun store regulations, suggesting it created a perception issue."

8. Bick T. (Resident):

   • Perception Issues: "Highlighted the importance of choosing neutral sources for information shared with the public."

9. Christina E. (Resident):

   • Positive Outlook: "Expressed excitement about participating in future planning and the potential for community involvement in shaping the town's vision."

Conclusion:

• Master Plan Revision: The board is committed to revising the master plan and zoning laws with professional guidance and community input.

• Transparency and Communication: Emphasis on the need for transparent processes and better communication with the public regarding business approvals and zoning changes.

• Safety Concerns: Addressing the safety implications of having age-restricted businesses near schools and residential areas.

• Community Involvement: Encouragement for residents to actively participate in future planning meetings and provide input on the town's development.

Adjournment:

• "Motion to adjourn. Second. All those in favor, say 'aye'. Aye."

Official YouTube channel videos of the Somerville, NJ - Planning Board Meeting - June 12, 2024

PART 1 of 2

PART 2 of 2

Disclaimer: The summary is not a word-for-word transcription of the Somerville Planning Board meeting held on June 12, 2024. This meeting summary was created from captions, which may contain errors. For readability and organization, formatting, styling for emphasis, and section names have been added. This account is not associated with the local government of Somerville or any official Borough of Somerville channels. The views and information shared here are independent and do not represent the official stance of the Borough of Somerville.

Mayor Brian G. Gallagher's speech:

I'm back

so some are happy about that some maybe not so happy about that but know that I'm back because I love Somerville; and I commit to you today to work tirelessly to ensure that we maintain the quality of life that our residents deserve

what we've accomplished in my first 14 years as mayor has transformed Somerville into a destination to live work and visit

working across party lines we engineered a Renaissance of Somerville that will continue to benefit the residents of our community for decades to come

however the evolution of our borough is never done

the future requires the same Visionary efforts that we employed previously to ensure that the future is positive and that we are prepared to accommodate all that comes with it

I stood here exactly 20 years ago and laid out a bold vision for the future of Somerville

20 years later the results are seen borough-wide our community.

Our 2 and a half square miles of awesome is the envy of town statewide.

We achieved our success through careful planning, public visioning, a council determined to work together, a stick-to-it spirit, and a shared vision of what Somerville can and should be.

However the playbook created 20 years ago should not be the same playbook we use today.

It is again time for creating our next bold community-driven future for the next 20 years and beyond.

growth in all facets of our borough requires those same Visionary efforts to ensure that the future is positive and that we are prepared to embrace growth

Questions and Concerns

we have great concern for

• safety,

• traffic,

• parking,

• homelessness,

• Public Works,

• schools, and

• all the other essential services that must be planned for in the coming years.

So this drives the question -- "What's next?"

What's next for our **2 and a half square miles of awesome**?

What's next for:

• recreation,

• our neighborhoods,

• Redevelopment,

• Main Street,

• code office,

• Public Works,

• our relationship with Somerset County,

• housing issues,

• infrastructure planning, and

• the list goes on.

Goals

To achieve continuing success we must be goals-driven.

I will task each council person to work with their respective departments and their liaison committees to develop 10-year plans for each of their areas of responsibility.

This will create realistic, identifiable targets that can be opportunity-driven rather than reactionary responsive.

It will allow the council to develop strategies to financially phase in, or phase-out, potential projects over a longer term.

It will provide longer-term funding direction for all of our departments and it will allow us to **establish priorities** of wants versus needs.

I will propose an infrastructure task force made up of Council members, County Officials, and stakeholder residents who have the necessary expertise to review and recommend to council long range plans, focusing on infrastructure.

This includes

• roads,

• recreation,

• Public Works,

• technology, and

• other areas that the council sees fit.

This will enable development of 10-year infrastructure Improvement plans for every part of our borough.

Our planning board is one of the best in the state, but it's time to stop being bureaucratic.

Approval body and return to what they do best planning for the long-term future of our borough.

This will require new and Innovative approaches to Planning and Zoning.

I will task the Planning Board to immediately undertake reviews of

• our master plan,

• our Redevelopment plans,

• the fair-share housing issues, and

• our residential and Commercial zoning.

We need to enable residents to easily invest in their property without onerous regulations inordinate Plan reviews and costs that stop a homeowner's project

We also will enable our business district to better adapt to quickly changing Market demands.

Peters Brook

There also needs to be a zoning review of all property along the length of Peters Brook from end to end with short-range safety solutions to reduce the danger to residents and their emergency personnel.

Then, and only then, long range zoning Solutions can be implemented that solve the issues of residential and commercial properties in the flood areas.

These solutions must respect the rights of private property owners and have the long-term benefit of a safer community for our borough.

Customer Service

Our community development office is the first face of Somerville government for those who want to invest in their property, whether

• the homeowner,

• the entrepreneur,

• the business owner,

• the investor, or

• the developer.

The process must be

• made easier to navigate,

• quickly adaptable to changing market and housing demands,

• informative for those that are unfamiliar with the process, and

• establish review-fees that do not deter property owners from investing in their own homes or businesses.

Nothing drives people away faster than bureaucratic costs or delays.

Customer service for the taxpayer in this Administration is Paramount.

Downtown Somerset County

We are the county seat of Somerset County, and we have borne that responsibility very well.

I will work with our County Commissioner Partners to address core issues centering on County investment in Somerville's:

• historic,

• Recreation,

• infrastructure,

• Marketing needs, and

• grant funding.

We will open discussion on what the plans are for the jail property to ensure any future use is consistent with the needs of our Somerville.

As our Board of Health partner, we need to get the County Mental Health and Addiction Services to the people on the street who need this help the most.

Somerville is downtown Somerset County; and

our successful downtown needs

• Cultural and Performing Arts Center and

• theater;

and the county needs to have their name on it.

Adult Fun

When one thinks of Recreation services, they typically think of children.

While that is a core focus of Somerville's recreation programming and Facilities the larger aspect should be inclusive of everyone.

It's time to revisit the recreation master plan so we can evaluate our facilities, programming, and overall direction that will Center on budgeting for facilities, management, as well as obtaining potential grant funding.

And I will also establish a seniors and veterans committee out of the recreation department to focus specifically for the needs of these two groups.

Memorial Day Parade

We will return the Memorial Day Parade to the streets of Somerville showing true honor to all of those who have served served our country

Quality of Life Issues

Many of the quality of life issues that our residents are frustrated with center on aspects of safety:

• pedestrian traffic,

• speed,

• increased homeless issues,

• rise in graffiti,

• condition of parks and trails, and

• the list goes on.

These different issues require different solutions, but all relate to a safer and better community for all of Somerville.

Pedestrian Safety Committee

The Pedestrian Safety Committee was dissolved a few years ago;

I will reestablish a Public Safety Committee to take up specific issues that the borough.

Council refers to them for vetting and recommending potential solutions.

The single most important job of an elected official is the Safety and Security of our citizens.

There is no more important thing that we do up here.

Policing

We have a fantastic police force it's led by Chief Manning.

They are well-trained friendly Fair firm and consistent in all they do.

They are really good at what they do.

I jog all over this town, all hours of day, and night; and I see them everywhere, all the time; and I want to thank them.

There's a bunch of them in the back there [pointing].

Regardless of why our police officers have been without a contract for over a year, and that to me is unacceptable, this will be resolved with a mutual understanding and agreement.

We will craft a contract together that recognizes the challenges and increased responsibilities our officers face on a daily basis, always with the Somerville resident in mind.

NJ DOT & Pedestrian Safety

I will work with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to increase pedestrian safety for our children at the Crossing at Vanderveer school.

Route 28 is a state highway and Somerville is a ==walking District==.

Our children are within inches of vehicles as they try to cross the street every day.

It's time the state step up and put road and sidewalk improvements in to ensure their safety.

Cannabis Taxes

A retail cannabis store has already been approved for the corner of Gaston Avenue and Route 22.

As I see it, the impact of retail cannabis will potentially be seen most in our children and in our Emergency Services as a result.

I will ask the council to dedicate the significant tax revenue from this store specifically towards Recreation to give our kids safe and healthy options; and

also dedicating this funding to

• police,

• fire, and

• rescue squad technology and

• training.

so they can operate in a safer manner so they can all go home at the end of the day.

While brick and mortar… I'm almost done don't worry…

While brick and mortar are necessary for our Emergency Services, the daily support of the mayor and council is the most important.

This is what keeps our volunteers responding we are blessed to have the best in firefighters and rescue squad personnel.

I've worked with many chiefs in both areas over the years and can honestly say each one has taught me a little bit about this town and the volunteers that serve her.

Our volunteer emergency service personnel are some of the greatest assets we have as a borough.

They are our family friends and neighbors, and our job as elected officials is to understand their needs and to support them.

Over the years, Somerville has crafted an incredible wonderful story of how opportunity is created from the challenges we face.

How optimism and a sense of 'we can' is paramount.

The test of good government is not in how we react immediately to the challenges we face, but how we move forward from them long term.

Our charge, as leaders, is to preserve and protect the great spirit that we have in Somerville.

To nurture it for future generations, we must lead forward with that conviction of purpose.

The task ahead is bold.

I look forward to working with borough council members to meet this commitment.

We will meet it with energy creativity cooperation and dedication.

Our promise today is that our 2 and a half square miles of awesome has only just begun.

Thank you.

God bless our Somerville and God bless the greatest nation on Earth the United States of America.

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