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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-01-11 Special Meeting Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council January 11, 2023 A special meeting of the Mayor and Council was held on January 11, 2023, at 10:30AM, in the Municipal Building. Meeting Called to Order Roll Call The following Council Members and Professional Staff responded to the roll call: Mayor Kahwaty, Councilmember Ansh, Council President Bonagura (via teleconferencing), Councilmember Cardenas, Councilmember Kelly (via teleconferencing), Councilmember Lambrix, and Councilmember Sheppard. Also present were Borough Administrator Hart, Borough Attorney Smith and Borough Clerk Rulli. Sunshine Law Statement: The Borough Clerk read the Sunshine Law Statement. Flat Salute Moment of Silent Appreciation to Our Veterans Time for Public Comment Motion to open the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Lambrix, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. On voice vote, all in favor. Rabbi Kaplan, 286 Autumn Terrace, commented on the best interests of community. He stated the people here are not sure of what is happening and want clarity. Steve Holmgren, 702 Colonial Road, stated he has two concerns; trust and safety. After his experience with the McCoy development he no longer feels as safe and wants to provide input on what will happen. He asked that the Mayor and Council be forthright and address issues. Rick Capozzi, 193 Woodside Avenue, stated he is looking for `process transparency', wants to know the end game and asked that the Mayor and Council listen to residents. Christine Christopoul, 392 Saddle Back Trail, stated she trusts in the process and the Council and she understands that units will go up. She asked that consideration be given to minimalize the impact on the town. Laurie Burnette, 746 Lawlins Road, spoke about future oversight and follow through. She discussed issues that have occurred with other housing complexes such McCoy, the Toll Brothers units, and the Horizon building. Because recommendations were not followed, there are no onsite managers. She stated in the case of the Special Needs development,the tenants haven't been vetted properly. She stated some buildings don't have hallways wide enough for stretchers, there are no Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 2 January 11, 2023 Minutes elevators in multi-story buildings, and from the Police and Ambulance Corps perspective, this is a hazardous situation. Linda Masiello, 1080 High Mountain Road, spoke about the impact of commonly occurring issues at Toll Brothers. She stated there were four fires and six robberies of vehicles and feels it is a drain on all resources. She discussed volunteer resources and impact on schools. David Hekemian, 91 Foxheads Road, Saddle River, stated he is not involved in this project and not part of`that' Hekemian family and that they do not make money by forcing town's hands and spoke about Boulder Run and Franklin Crossing. He stated affordable housing requirements are mandated by the state and the state requires we comply. He stated towns have to take destiny in their own hands, need to be proactive, and to try to plan as best as they can. Samantha Braen Maccaro, 820 Old Mill Road, spoke of family in town and choosing to establish roots here. She discussed concerns about safety with this development as it is in her neighborhood, and spoke about infrastructure, police, schools, and property values. Elisa Billis, 705 Knollwood Road, stated she does not speak as a school board member. As a private citizen she congratulated the newly elected Councilmembers and Mayor Kahwaty. She stated that as a parent, she is concerned how this will affect students. She discussed capacity being increased from 237 to 300 kids, explained the impact on school system is significant, stating all of the schools will be affected, as will the number of classrooms and traffic. Gina Levy, 760 Apple Ridge Road, spoke of reasons for selecting to move to Franklin Lakes and discussed impact the new development would have on schools and traffic. She inquired about details and if anything can be done to push back and reduce this. Dan Roberto, 221 Mable Ann Avenue, spoke about other projects and ratio of units to land. He discussed increase in population, schools and traffic. Therese Tolomeo, 831 Apache Road, stated she is a long time Franklin Lakes resident and advocate for affordable housing. She stated that she is familiar with Mount Laurel and wants to know how many units are required and why towns are not standing up and if there is another way to approach this. She stated developers are not concerned with `affordable housing', they are concerned with profit. Mike Macchione, 157 Pulis Avenue, spoke of privilege to live here which he feels will be taken away if this development goes through. He stated he is here for the children of town, and questioned if they will continue to stay and grow up here. Raquel Valdes, 98 Helen Court, spoke about two developments in former town and their effect. She asked if there is anything that can be done to minimize impact on kids, traffic, and infrastructure. Kathy Stack, 206 Park Road, stated she agrees with other speakers. She asked if the town does environmental studies. She stated she lives by Millbrook and spoke about her experience with an earlier development. She requested more insight and investigation by the town. Special Meeting of the Mayor and Council Page 3 January 11, 2023 Minutes Mayor Kahwaty stated he appreciated all of the comments and will take them into consideration. He stated that his is more of a scheduling meeting and there will be an opportunity to speak at a later date. Motion to close the time for public comment was made by Councilmember Ansh, seconded by Councilmember Lambrix. On voice vote, all in favor. Resolution For Closed Session BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Franklin Lakes, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey that a Closed Meeting be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 which begins at 10:30 AM, in the First Floor Conference Room at the Municipal Building to discuss the following: • Anticipated Litigation: Hekemian Property BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the discussion conducted in closed session shall be disclosed to the public once the matter involving the confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then the minutes can be made public. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the public be excluded from this meeting. Motion to go into Closed Session was made at 11:15 AM by Council President Bonagura, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. On voice vote, all in favor. The Mayor and Council returned to open session at 12:50 PM. Adiournment Motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 12:50 PM by Councilmember Lambrix, seconded by Councilmember Sheppard. On voice vote, all in favor. Respectfully submitted, a M. Rulli, Borough Clerk