July 10 2024 Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes

APPLICATIONS PB-24-08 GBSJ, LLC ta The Goddard School Block: 83 Lot: 1 & 5.01 289 Mt Pleasant Avenue The applicant, GBSJ Properties, LLC, proposes to demolish an existing three-story structure on the subject site, which was previously used as a radio station, and in its place construct a new three-story building to be used as an annex to the existing childcare center on the site. PRESENTATION The attorney, Mr. Walter Hanley, entered on the record on behalf of the applicant and stated the following: As required in the first application, the two properties previously designated as Lots 1 and 5.01, were consolidated creating a new lot 5.02. The Applicant is requesting approval for Preliminary and Final Major site plan approval with c variances to expand the existing childcare center by demolishing an existing building on site and building a new building in the same footprint as previously approved in the resolution memorialized on November 29, 2023 (the “first application”) located on property recently merged with Lot 1 (previously known as lot 5.01). The attorney introduced the owner, Mr. Steven Harrison. He entered on the record, was sworn under oath and testified to the following: Mr. Harrison and his wife are the owners of the Goddard school and are also the owners of the Livingston school, which is about 5 miles away. The Applicant is requesting approvals to build a new building on Lot | to serve as an annex to the existing childcare center. The proposal is to build a new building in the identical location, size and with the same setbacks and number of classrooms as recently approved by the Board in the first application. The new building design allows them to remove support beams that would be in the middle of the classrooms which would cause potentially an issue, increase the window size on the 1st floor creating more natural daylight for the children and also allow them to have higher ceilings. It will create a safer environment for the children. The square footage is not changing, however, aesthetically the outside of the building would be more in line with their existing building. There will be no change to the traffic/parking pattern from the first application approved by the Board. BOARD QUESTIONS Mayor McCartney asked if they are part of the pre-K expansion program. Mr. Harrison replied no but stated that they are interested in

rom the first application approved by the Board. BOARD QUESTIONS Mayor McCartney asked if they are part of the pre-K expansion program. Mr. Harrison replied no but stated that they are interested in becoming part of the program. Chairman Bagoff asked if all teachers are CPR certified. Mr. Harrison answered in the affirmative. NO PROFESSIONALS QUESTIONS PUBLIC QUESTIONS Phillip Litwinoff at 11 Linden Avenue asked what will happen to the towers on top of the building that is being demolished. Mr. Harrison said the two radio towers on the building 3