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Pinelands Municipal Council Reports
Minutes
Pinelands Municipal Council Meeting
July 27, 2010
Estell Manor, NJ
Pinelands Commission Comments
John Stokes - Due to financial constraints the PC has again reduced staff and is down 33% from two years ago. They are exploring initiatives to reduce their workload through giving municipalities more responsibility. Also, Ed McLynchy has replaced Mr. Tomasello as a commissioner.
Larry Liggett - Solar projects as a primary use were discussed and handouts provided. The PC is developing principals for a municipal option, permitting of accessory uses, expansion of currently permitted principal/conditional uses, and addressing management of off-site impact.
Chuck Horner - A memorandum was distributed describing simplification of the approval process for modest public development activities as well a procedure to address last minute questions which delay public development applications (attached). These procedures are now being finalized. The PC website will include incoming applications; comments will be taken only after the application is near completion, with no comments allowed after 18 days notice.
ATV/4 Wheeler Destruction – After seeing photos submitted by Mike Hogan, John Stokes alerted the State Dept. of Forestry and the DEP enforcement division. He expects follow up by the DEP.
Guest Speakers
Cindy Randazzo – Ms. Randazzo is DEP Director of Local Government Assistance. Her initiative is to streamline laws/regulations, and she is asking input from pinelands municipalities. She will assist municipalities with applications which have been lost or slow to proceed. She was interested in helping with ATV enforcement. Mayor Pikolycky commented that she has been very helpful to Woodbine.
Prof. George Zimmermann, Stockton – Mr. Zimmermann talked about ecological forest management and why it is important to the health of our forests and its inhabitants, both wildlife and human. A memorandum was distributed describing simplification of the approval process for modest public development activities as well a procedure to address last minute questions which delay public development applications (attached).
Submitted by Jill Baxter
Minutes
Pinelands Municipal Council Meeting
May 26, 2010
Woodbine, NJ
Topics discussed:
Doug Shattuck of New Jersey Clean Energy Program and representatives of South Jersey Energy Services
Gave an overview of the Direct Install and Energy Audit programs for municipalities and local governments. The program provides low cost energy audits and pays up to 80% of the cost of upgrades recommended by the audits.
Pinelands Commission/John Stokes
1 NJ Pinelands Commission adopted high tech septic system management rules, will work with
municipalities to create ordinances to inspect these high tech systems
2 NJ Pinelands Commission is testing other high tech septic systems for future use in the
Pinelands regulated area.
3 Rules for other high tech septic systems may be ready by the end of the summer.
4 NJ Pinelands Commission is giving municipalities longer time periods for adoption of
ordinances and will consolidate time frames of multiple ordinances.
5 NJ Pinelands Commission is developing rules for expanding solar power in the Pinelands
including solar panels in appropriate places in zoned forest areas.
6 John discussed the NJ Pinelands Commission work with counties to protect rare native plants
that grow along road sides.
Next meeting July 27th Estell Manor 7:30
Submitted by Michael Hogan
Pinelands Municipal Council Meeting
March 15, 2010
Buena Vista Twp, NJ
Topics discussed:
Secretary’s Report
Past Executive Committee members were reelected to their prior positions
Chairperson: Mayor Chuck Chiarello Re-elected
Vice Chairperson: Mayor William Pikolycky Re-elected
Secretary: Designee Anthony Mazzella Re-elected
Treasurer: Mayor Joseph Kuehner Re-elected
At-large Member of the
Executive Committee: Mayor Richard Franzen Re-elected
Speaker: Brian Kuhn, Aeronautica Windpower
Gave an overview of his company and their mid-scale wind turbines, all manufactured in the United States. Discussed community wind projects, benefits of mid scale turbines, the company’s different markets for their products, zoning and other issues involved with installing wind turbines, Southern NJ wind resources, possible funding sources, long term costs and benefits of wind turbines and how Aeronautica will work with communities interested in wind turbines.
Web site http://aeronauticawind.com/aw/index.html
Pinelands Commission/Chuck Horner
1. More applications for solar generating facilities including:
St Augustine School- 5 acre array
SJ Gas-facilty in Hamilton Twp.
Ocean Twp.-facility on close landfill
2. Maintenance plans for transmission line right of ways approved.
3. Ancora waste water plant is failing and will connect to public sewage system.
4. Discussion with Woodbine regarding ethanol fuel plant at Woodbine Landfill site.
5. PLC working with Hammonton regarding their treatment plant and possible expansion for anticipated growth.
6. Still no PLC sample ordinance for mandatory clustering.
Sen. Van Drew and Assemblyman Albano
Gave overview of upcoming budget and possible cuts to municipalities.
Possible changes in COAH laws, municipalities without public water and sewage will be exempt from COAH requirements.
Next meeting May 26 Woodbine 7:30
Submitted by Michael Hogan
Pinelands Municipal Council Meeting
January 28, 2010
Folsom, NJ
Topics discussed:
Secretary’s Report
The 21st Annual Pinelands Short Course will be held Saturday, March 20. Copies of the schedule and registration form were available.
The Pinelands Orientation for Newly Elected and Appointed Municipal Officials/Refresher Course for Other Elected or Appointed Municipal Officials will be held Thursday, April 22 in Pemberton. Flyers were available for distribution.
Speaker: Anthony O’Donnell, Economic Planner, Pinelands Commission
Highlights of a recent economic study show the region has not suffered unduly under Pinelands regulations. Indicators such as housing prices, employment, income, and tax rates have been better than the State average. Recovery time after the 1990 and 2001 recessions has also been faster. The full report, part of the Long Term Economic Monitoring Program, can be seen online. Also, a disc was mailed to all municipalities.
Tiffany Cuviello/Planner from Galloway Twp.
Discussed renewable energy generation in ag and forest areas. Resolution #l-2010 for renewable energy passed.
Pinelands Commission/Larry Liggett
1. Two commissioners have been appointed – Lloyd Henderson, replacing Lee, and Bob Jackson, reappointed.
2. Gov. Christie has essentially frozen all regulations
3. T-Mobile is losing interest, Metro PCS is looking at two new towers
4. Dan Kennedy to be new ag chair, the PC scientist retired and a new head was appointed
5. Discussed landfill capping policy
6. Pointed out that solar panels are permitted as accessory use but not primary use in ag and forest areas in order to protect ag and forest interests. Primary use would be commercial. Policy may be available in April regarding use of landfills.
7. ByWays – study complete and waiting for Federal approval
Pineland Municipal Council
1. Nominations for 2010 officers are due in February for vote at the March meeting.
2. Senate bill #S-1 dismantles COHA
3. Next meeting will be held at Buena Vista.
Submitted by Jill Baxter
11.30.09 Pinelands Municipal Council Meeting
Topics discussed:
Tiffany Cuviello/Planner from Galloway Twp.
1. Brief overview of changes septic system rules
2. Brief overview Environmental Integrity Map changes
3. Brief overview of PDC changes.
Pinelands Commission/John Stokes
1. PLC will likely not require inspection of typical septic systems but will require inspection of the special/hi tech systems, which there are approx. 100 in the pinelands regulated area.
2. PLC may proceed with educational outreach regarding septic systems, PMC Chairman Chiarello supported such efforts.
3. $305,000 will be made available for townships developing clustering ordinances, funds will come from Pinelands Conservation Fund.
4. PLC will have a model Cluster Ordinance by early 2010.
New proposals
1. Possible changes to Pinelands Development Credits will increase PDC obligations for lower density development and decrease PDC obligations for higher density development.
2. Possible 8 major changes in Pinelands Capability Map
3. New proposals may be approved in mid-Dec., then to public review, final approval in mid-summer.
Pineland Municipal Council
1. Much discussion regarding possible Pinelands Capability Map changes in Maurice River Twp. Concerns expressed by Twp. Mayor Scarletti and Freeholder Maggazu.
Presentation by Rick Dovey/ACUA, regarding solar energy systems.
Rick described the current Atlantic County efforts with alternate energy/projects and possible conflicts with Pinelands zoning regulations and solar arrays.
PMC voted to ask PLC about possible changes to Pinelands Regulations to allow solar arrays in appropriate forest and rural development zoned areas.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Hogan
Pinelands Municipal Council Report
09.29.09
Topics discussed:
Tiffany Cuviello/Planner from Galloway Twp.
1. Overview of septic system rules and comment letter to the Pinelands Commission.
2. NJDEP is not enforcing state-wide septic system inspections, which Pinelands Commission rules are based on.
3. NJDEP will reevaluate septic system rules in 6 years
4. Overview of PDC concerns regarding residential and commercial development.
Pinelands Commission/Chuck Horner
1. PLC approved 3rd westbound lane on Atlantic City Expressway.
2. Approved development of 500 units at Black Horse Pike, Cologne Ave. and Rt. 40 in Hamilton Twp.
3. MOA with Ocean Twp regarding solar panels at closed landfill.
4. Ancora Hospital proposing large addition.
5. PLC moving ahead with streamlining application for certain municipal improvements.
MOA will be sent to all Pinelands municipalities for review and comment by Nov. 30th
Application fees eliminated for certain municipal projects.
6. Review of possible changes to Environmental Integrity Map still ongoing.
7. Septic system management plan, PLC may follow recent NJDEP decision not to require inspections.
8. PDCs, no actions, is a work in progress, discussions continue.
9. COA, still unresolved, no opinion from AGs office yet.
10. Clustering, funds may be available for ordinance work, sample ordinance by Dec.
Pineland Municipal Council
1. Much discussion regarding solar arrays and regulations in different Pinelands zones area.
2. PMC approved a resolution to support upcoming Green Acres/open space ballot question.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Hogan
Pinelands Municipal Council Meeting With NJ Pinelands
Commission and Staff Report/06.29.09
Topics discussed:
Environmental Integrity Map changes.
1. Lack of compensation for property owners affected by zoning changes.
2. Grandfather provisions for property owners affected by zoning changes.
3. Offsets for zoning changes.
4. Preserving existing business opportunities.
Septic System Management Rules
1. Slow down implementation of rules due to current economic climate.
2. Centralize responsibility/county inspections.
3. Education program in schools for residents with septic systems.
4. Steps to prevent abuse of program, inspectors should be separate from septic companies.
5. Pinelands Commission should set regulation when NJ DEP does.
6. Pinelands Commission may have funds from the Pinelands Conservation Fund available to help establish inspection program.
Draft PDC Rules
1. Problems with some residential and commercial development.
2. Problems with some residential developments involving parcels containing wetlands.
Clustering
1. Concerns were raised about the bonus.
2. Should be done with municipal master plan reviews.
3. Municipalities should have ordinances in place by April 2010
Pinelands Commission Permitting Fees for Municipal/Public Entities
1. Fees are too high for public entities such as fire departments.
2. Discussion of non profits with or without 501c3 designation.
COAH
1. Pinelands Commission trying to lower COAH commitments.
2. Pinelands Commission is currently working with COAH and waiting for agreement for issues regarding Pinelands municipalities.
ATVs
1. Concerns raised about damage and problems ATVs are causing for municipalities.
2. Lack of police enforcement.
3. NJ Assembly did not pass ATV regulations this session, may revisit matter in fall.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Hogan
Pinelands Municipal Council Report
05.27.09
John Stokes/ NJ Pinelands Commission discussed:
1. Changes to streamline development review and permitting process for public
development permitting and may expand streamlining in future.
2. Mandatory clustering in Forest Areas and Rural Development Areas is in effect.
PLC is developing sample ordinances so municipalities can adapt program to specific
needs.
3. Environmental Integrity Map changes.
4. Changes in density and Pinelands development credit program, draft rule proposal.
5. COAH rules for Pinelands municipalities, John passed out draft rules and resolution
and discussed impact and requirements on Pinelands municipalities.
There was much discussion about COAH requirements.
New Proposed Rules:
1. Rules for forestry management.
2. Rules for wetlands restoration of wetlands impacted by human activity.
3. Rules for electric utilities power line rights of way management.
There will be a public hearing about the above 3 at the PLC office on July 22nd.
4. Rules for septic system management/state wide requirement. There will be a public hearing about this at the PLC office on July 15th.
Public comment period for the above 4 rules ends August 14th.
There was a long discussion about the financial impact of the required septic inspections on residents at this time and economic climate. Mayor Chiarello stated that this policy is not being fast tracked by the NJDEP at this time and suggested that it could be implemented in a few years, when there are better economic conditions. Mayor Chiarello requested a joint meeting with the Pinelands Municipal Council and the Pinelands Commission to discuss this issue.
Pinelands Commission Chief Permit Administrator Karen Young did a presentation about the recent evaluation of the Local Review Officer Program and discussed possible changes to it.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Hogan
Pinelands Municipal Council Report
03.16.09
Mayor Chiarello/Pinelands Municipal Council
1. Reported that clustering info from the PMC has been mailed to pinelands municipalities.
2. Mentioned upcoming meetings regarding zoning changes in the Environmental Integrity Map.
Ed Wengrowski/NJ Pinelands Commission
1. Gave a presentation about Pinelands Program for Septic Systems and NJDEP mandatory septic systems management and inspections.
2. The Pinelands Commission will provide model ordnances and guidance documents to pinelands municipalities.
3. Ordnances and inspections will begin after a 2 year transition period.
4. Septic systems must be inspected every 3 years.
5. Septic systems must be pumped every 3 years, if needed.
6. ACUA may do inspections for Atlantic County municipalities.
John Stokes/ NJ Pinelands Commission is working on
1 Environmental Integrity Map update, will be upcoming meeting in Atlantic County.
2. COAH rules for Pinelands municipalities, preliminary proposal will be finished next month.
3. Changes in Pinelands development credits.
4. Right-of-way maintenance program.
5. Rules for wetlands restoration.
6. Rules for forest management.
7. Proposal to streamline development review and permitting process.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Hogan
Pineland Municipal Council Report
01.29.08
Larry Ligget/NJ Pinelands Commission
1. Gave an overview of the process and criteria to determine the changes made in the Pinelands Commission Environmental Integrity Map.
2. Gave examples using aerial photography of land use changes since the 2002.
3. Latest Environmental Integrity Map will be available on Pinelands Commission website on 02.02.09
John Stokes/NJ Pinelands Commission
1. Gave an Environmental Integrity Map presentation.
2. Gave a recap of the past meetings and process of finalizing the Environmental Integrity Map.
3. Pinelands Commission is close to making final recommendations of map.
4. There will be 1 year or more for towns to work on changes for final map.
5. There will be opportunities for towns to refine zoning changes.
6. John answered questions from the audience.
John also spoke about
1 Possible changes in COAH regulations.
2. Pinelands development credits.
3. Septic system management ordnances.
4. Pinelands Commission will have a sample ordinance for septic system regulations.
5. Pinelands Commission is working on permit streamlining agreement for certain municipal road improvements which will eliminate permitting fees.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Hogan
Planning Board Zoning Board
Environmental Commission Minutes Pinelands Municipal
Council Reports
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