2008 Mountain Lakes Master Plan Committee

 

Members Present:

 

Gail Boertzel, Board of Education

Louise Davis, Deputy Mayor and Planning Board

Cathy Harvey, Environmental Commission

Celia Flynn, Recreation Commission

Barbara Palmer, Planning Board

Roberta Spray, member at large

 

Meeting notes, February 7, 2008

Additional assignments:

Cathy – status of ERI

Andy – population statistics to update Community Characteristics chapter

Joan – will get list of changes in lot and block numbers

Louise – make note of what changes have been made in the infrastructure (dams, waterlines, stone walls, etc.) since the last master plan

Louise – find examples of sustainable  and historic elements of Master Plan

 

 

Discussion of Chapter III.  LAND USE PLAN

 

Land Use Plan Overview

Initial question of whether this chapter on Land Use fully outlines all issues that the law requires the Master Plan to address. Does there need be more specific information on land use?

In the discussion of “protecting and continuing the existing established development pattern and the character of existing residential neighborhoods,” the committee voiced a concern of whether the neighborhoods are changing. The committee agreed that they wanted to protect the existing topography and park like atmosphere that was in the original conception of the community.

 

Land Use Objectives

  1. keep
  2. keep
  3. add natural and native, add topography protection.
  4. keep
  5. keep
  6. keep
  7. delete first sentence and leave “the rehabilitation of substandard units…
  8. [add: enable and encourage non-automotive circulation]

 

 

 

Mountain Lakes – A Planned Community

Keep this history as it is.

 

 

Natural Characteristics and Environmental Concerns

Trees need to be replaced

Topography protected

Streams, well heads, dams etc. must be sustained and protected.

 

The committee agreed that the third paragraph should reflect a concern with a growing change in the topography of the town. Discussed adding: Encourage keeping topography original in scale and style, choosing indigenous plants, shrubs and trees, while controlling invasives.

 

The fourth paragraph should be clearly written to ensure the protection of water. [Change last sentence to: Eutrophication prevention policies should be enacted and enforced.]

 

Existing Land Use Characteristics

The numbers here need updating. Louise will gather information.

 

Residential Land Use

 

Residential Characteristics

There are now eight residential zones

Barbara will look up if any zone or lot size has changed.

 

Neighborhood Characteristics

The committee expressed some concern over changes that have occurred due to reduced FAR, the redefinition of building height, and the lack of control over grade changes.

 

Committee discussed a need to encourage ordinances to promote rehabilitation rather then demolition and place some limits to new housing.

 

 

Land Use Policies in Existing Residential Areas

Future Residential Land Use

 

Fusee Tract

These paragraphs should be eliminated and replaced with a short synopsis of this area and how the zoning has been changed to RAH – 1.

 

King of Kings

The church now pays taxes.

Due to the sensitive nature of this site Louise will write up something regarding the environmental constraints that exist.

 

 

Rush

A short paragraph should be written that addresses the completion of this project.

 

Home Occupations

Stay as is.

 

Future Non-Residential Land Use

 

The Route 46E Business Area

This is now a viable business area. But there is occasional movement of businesses so the committee discussed a need to encourage improving and or maintaining the appearance of this area. Safety features such as curbing were discussed as well as sidewalks for pedestrian access to mass transit and coordinated landscaping. The committee agreed that these additions should be encouraged.

 

Midvale - Community Center

  1. As is
  2. “re-establishment” should be changed to “continued existence”
  3.  As is
  4. As is
  5. As is
  6. As is
  7. As is

 

Public and Semi-Public

These numbers have changed slightly due to the sale of properties.

 

Office Court

This area has been designated wet lands.

 

Park Lands, Open Space and Conservation Areas

These numbers should be changed according to the recent building of the new fields.

 

Summary of Major Land Use

  1. As is
  2. Simply state “Preserve the traditional character of residential neighborhoods”.
  3. Delete
  4. Delete
  5. Delete
  6. Should not be listed as goal, but a general COAH goal established.
  7. As is
  8. As is [take out redevelopment and “area in need of redevelopment”]
  9. As is
  10. As is
  11. As is
  12. As is
  13. As is
  14. Delete “senior citizen”
  15. as is

 

Discussion of upcoming Chapters:

March 6 Recreation/Celia, Recycling/Louise

March 20 Conservation/Cathy, Historic/Andy

April 3 Circulation/Roberta, Facilities/Gail

 

The Highlands Committee will make a recommendation when they have completed their study.

 

Monday, March 10, 8 pm —Eileen Swan, Executive Director of the Highlands Council staff, will give a presentation and answer questions at the Borough Council meeting. All are invited and encouraged to attend to learn how the Highlands Plan affects Mountain Lakes.