November 6, 2013

Mr. Gurland said he was not aware that a licensed architect had to be present at Technical Review meetings to make presentations. Mr. Weston said that all full Site Plan Applications did have the conditions listed on the final plans. He said that our municipality was one of few that had a Technical Review Committee. In other towns, a small business opening would go directly to the Building Department. He said there was a checks and balance system in place among the various departments. He opined that a further discussion regarding Technical Review be held at another time. Chairman Heller asked if either Mrs. Carlucci or the Board Secretary could discuss the Certificate of Occupancy (CO) process. Mrs. Carlucci said that the process included submitting permits with a copy of the signed Resolution to the building department after an Application was approved. The Board Secretary said that as soon as a Resolution was memorialized, copies were distributed to departments including Building, Fire and Police for their review and reference during their inspection process. Before the Zoning Officer signs off on the Applicant's Affidavit of Compliance, she will review the Resolution to make sure the conditions have been met. Mr. Eben opined he did not believe there should be Technical Review; he understood that the threshold for interior renovations had been raised; but did not understand who made the determination or the criteria for an Application to be heard by the Technical Review Committee. He said it was important to him that a registered architect present plans, and that conditions be listed on plans. Mr. Ghebremicael said he recently had conversations with business people in the community who had complained about the process of opening a business in West Orange. They complained that it was costly and time-consuming. He opined there were enough checks and balances to ensure that work would be done properly. Council President McCartney said that she also heard complaints, but often after Applications were not complete; Technical Review had been created to help Applicants through the process of opening a business; she recounted her own experience with opening a business in West Orange. Chairman Heller suggested the Board consider the Resolution and continue the discussion after voting. The Board voted on the Resolution as follows: Motion: Chairman

pening a business in West Orange. Chairman Heller suggested the Board consider the Resolution and continue the discussion after voting. The Board voted on the Resolution as follows: Motion: Chairman Heller Second: Mr. Gurland Bagoff: Absent Carlucci: Yes Eben: Yes Ghebremicael: Yes Gurland: Yes Klein: Yes Lester: Absent McCartney: Yes Weston: Yes Wilkes: Absent Heller: Yes DISCUSSION Board continued discussing the Technical Review process. Chairman Heller inquired if only licensed professionals be allowed to testify at Technical Review meetings; were professionals sworn in at Tech Review meetings. Mr. Eben said he did not attend Technical Review meetings; he did not know what was discussed at meetings. He NAPLANNING. BRD\WP\MINUTES\2013\1 1-6-13 Minutes.doc 3