South Amboy Council

10/3/18 Business Meeting

By: Carolyn Maxwell

SOUTH AMBOY – During the Council Comments, Councilman Tom Reilly spoke and was concerned about the results of a survey (by Beacon Planning) that was given to the Fire, First Aid, Police Department and the School Superintendent regarding their concerns for the City. 

Reilly asked if this report is for public knowledge. “I would like to get full feedback from the Departments (above). I didn’t get any reports back from the OEM (Office of Emergency Management).”

B.A. Glenn Skarzynski spoke up and said, “I was at these meetings, but there was no records or recordings of the interviews.”

City Attorney John Lanza was asked to give his thoughts about the survey. He responded that he wasn’t familiar with this survey at all and it was the first time he even saw it.

Mayor Fred Henry spoke up, “This survey was conducted by an outside group.”

Lanza then stated, “If this report is not confidential, it could be made public, but it’s the first time I’m seeing it. I need to know who sponsored it.”

Reilly spoke up again and stated, “I’m hearing from people who were interviewed in different departments that the report was not wholly inclusive. School Superintendent Diaz said what was in the report was not exactly what he said.”

B.A. Skarzynski explained, “Everything was not verbatim that was in the report.”

Reilly continued, “I’m not getting accurate information.”

Councilwoman Zusette Dato suggested that the report be given back to those departments who participated so they could clarify the statements that they made.

Reilly continued, “This report will have a huge impact on the town. I talked to the Fire Chiefs and they said the statements in this report are not reflective of what they said.”

B.A. Skarzynski made additional comments, “Additional (residential) units will have an impact on the town, but they have built in sprinkler systems.”

Reilly’s also mentioned that the Woodmont Properties are adding 13 students to the school system.

Mayor Henry added, “Just have all the people who were involved in the study get the report and make any changes necessary.”

Law Director Lanza said, “The report was requested by McManimon, Scotland & Baumann and I will call them.”

Reilly ended the discussion by stating, “I have a lot of questions and concerns and would like to have McManimon & Scotland go over this report. Maybe we can them come to a special meeting.”

Towards the end of the Meeting, McKinley Mertz from the Heyer Gruel & Associates came in to talk about the Master Plan and the new zoning ordinance. She stated, “The City’s Master Plan is prepared by your Planning Board. Many of your City Departments plus the public had input. Several Zones no longer exist. You’ll be bringing in more residential units in Zone #1 which will include single family detached units and open spaces for parks. In your R2 Zones will include single and two-family (which could be stacked) homes and private schools. This is the Roswell Street Area. Some homes in both zones may be nonconforming. The R3 Zone which includes Gordon Street will have medium density for example such as Woodmont and Ryan Homes. We’re looking at medium density for the Waterfront. The R3 Zone will be very discreet. Multifamily (16 units per acre) and Townhouses will be 12 units per acre. The M1 Zone (Light Industrial) will not change. The B1 Business Zone is very small (Broadway). It will have to be reevaluated for permitted uses. No residential units will be permitted on the ground floor. You want to embed in an ordinance that the style of storefronts be kept. You can increase the maximum height of the structures (to 3 stories). The B2 (Route 35 Corridor) is an impervious lot coverage and you’ll have to develop parking standards. Broadway/Main Street should be broken into certain districts. The M2 Zones will be eliminated. A solar ordinance can be put in place for appropriate locations. You can use provisions for a farmer’s market. Parking spaces for bicycle infrastructures can be placed in the redevelopment areas, but not bike lanes. Our contract with the City expires June 2019.”

At the end of the Meeting, it was explained that Beacon Planning was asked by the Redevelopment Agency to do the survey mentioned at the beginning of the Meeting.