Planning Board Subs Agree to Hear Controversial Zoning Board Application
Three members asked to serve on the township's zoning board to hear the Manchester Rehab Realty application
Two of the three members of Manchester's planning board asked to fill the vacancies left on the zoning board after four members recused themselves from the Manchester Rehab Realty application have accepted the assignment.
Planning board alternate Christina Edwards and member Sanford Krasky said at the body's regular monthly meeting on Tuesday night that they will fill the openings left when Karen Vaccaro, Hank Glen, William Cook and Phil Salvia recused themselves from hearing the application at the zoning board's August regular meeting because they live in Renaissance, a senior community near the proposed facility site at 3086 Ridgeway Road where the bulk of those opposing the center reside.
Pro temp member David Borowski was absent from the planning board's Tuesday meeting, but will be asked to fill in.
Replacements must be Class IV planning board members, meaning that they were mayoral appointments.
Though four zoning board members recused themselves, only three replacements are needed to reach the minimum required for a vote.
"If [Borowski] is not available, then we have a situation," said planning board coordinator Marianne Borthwick.
"If for some reason we need to go beyond these, can we go into the next class?" questioned planning board alternate attorney Christina Faustina, who was filling in for regular attorney Edward Lister. She said that she will research and report the procedure to the board within the next few days.
Renaissance residents only began actively opposing the application in July after a word-of-mouth campaign caught the attention of hundreds of locals, which is why these board members did not recuse themselves earlier.
In August, Zoning board attorney Christopher Reid said that, since a variance approval requires 5 votes in favor, members of the planning board will be used to fill in the empty seats. They will listen to all of the already recorded testimony and attend future zoning board meetings, he said.
The application for the $25 million facility has raised concerns with those living nearby since it requires a variance as the land is zoned as residential. Some nearby also worry that the facility could one day be used for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, even though Manchester Rehab Realty has not applied for those usages and could not offer those services without again going through the application process.
The zoning board's next meeting is set for Sept. 22 at Ridgeway Elementary School unless otherwise changed, though proper notice would be given in that case, said secretary Darlene Garcia.
In This article
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Manchester Township Municipal Complex
1 Colonial Dr, Manchester, NJ -
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Ridgeway Elementary School
2861 Ridgeway Rd, Manchester, NJ -
Danny
7:59 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Why are there four members from the same development. That gives way to much power to that one group of people. It should be broken up so the whole town is represented, not just one area.
Me
9:27 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Because they are qualified? Because they are concerned? Because no one else wants to volunteer? These are not paid positions. These people volunteered. Did you? Did anybody else that you know volunteer? Are you just plain better at judging rather than doing?
Danny
10:36 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Touchy aren't we. I did not say they were not qualified. I just pointed out that they are all from the same development and as such give that group of people way to much power. As far as judging versus doing, I have been a volunteer in many things over the years. Have you? I find it hard to believe that other people from other parts of the town would not want to be included.
Sal Sorce
11:49 am on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The issue should be put on a ballot ... the power of local government is often imbalanced ... to expect a huge easement-waiver with an serious impact on the entire region should to the those already paying property taxes and living within the impact zone ... do not let what has happened in other regional development zones be allowed to occur here? It has nothing to do with qualifications as many if not all members are appointed by the mayor, vote of confidence by the other members are also rigged to seat people who often vote in favor of the mayor or power seat ... this is going on every day every month in New Jersey ... how many residents really attend or know what is going on it their townships???
Jan
4:54 pm on Wednesday, September 7, 2011
I think they should allow it. We need economic development in Manchester. It's a good location because it is easily accessed. It wouldn't be the beginning of over development in the area, it would probably be the end of it because there isn't much free space left.
RADLAW88
9:30 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011
There was no conflict of interest of the board members who recused themselves. They are residents of Manchester and as such have the same rights and responsibilities as do any other resident of Manchester. They should have voted based upon the evidence as would a juror return a verdict based upon the evidence. If the applicant was denied they would have their recourse by filing an appeal in the Superior Court of New Jersey. By recusing themselves they have placed their re-election to the Board of Trustees at the Renaissance in jeopardy. If they would have voted in favor of the applicant then likewise the Renaissance residents would have probably responded by not re-electing however they would have voted with a clear conscience. Perhaps elected members of homeowners' Boards of Trustees should not be permitted to act in dual roles and leave the Township Boards appointments to the non-board residents of the adult community or to other residents in the Township who do not live in an adult community.