Angel Albanese

The agenda for the revised Planning Board meeting includes the official record of new members and appointments for various classes, including the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Key discussion topics are anticipated for correspondence, a resolution approving Planning Board Appointments, a site plan application for Spring Enterprises, LLC, a resolution regarding the Amendment to the Fourth Round Housing and Fair Share Plan (HEFSP), and a resolution authorizing a preliminary investigation for a redevelopment study for property located at Block 34, Lot 25.01 (737 Raritan Road). The agenda also allocates time for public session, new business, and old business.

The meeting commenced with introductions and compliance statements regarding open public meetings. Key procedural actions included the election of the Chairman (Kevin Cotch) and Vice Chairman (Lance), followed by the appointment of Donna Mazuka as board secretary. Professional appointments were formalized, including Alexish as board attorney, Rich O'Conor as board engineer, and Paul Ricky as board planner. The board voted to dispense with the reading of correspondence. Discussions during the public session focused heavily on site plan application memorializations for Clark Broadway Associations Associates and Supria Samit LLC. A significant portion of the public session involved a resident expressing substantial concern regarding the negative visual and activity impact of the approved development at 175-181 West Avenue on adjacent single-family residences, particularly concerning tree removal and proposed landscaping/screening mitigation.

The Planning Board Reorganization Meeting involved several key organizational actions, including the swearing-in and official recording of terms for new and returning members across Class I, II, III, and IV designations. The Board proceeded with the election of Kevin Koch as Chairman and Lance Steinberg as Vice Chairman, followed by the reappointment of Donna Mazzucco as Secretary. Professional appointments confirmed included Alexander Fisher, Esq. as Board Attorney, Rich O'Connor as Board Engineer, and Paul Ricci as Board Planner. The Board also handled two Site Plan Application Memorializations for properties located at 52 Westfield Avenue and 175-181 Westfield Avenue. During the public session, concerns were raised regarding neighborhood character changes due to a mixed-use building project and disputes over mandated tree replacement plans, which the Chairman and Township Engineer addressed by referencing local ordinances and regulatory processes. In New Business, the Board approved a retroactive extension for the final site plan approval of a mixed-use project at 221-223 Westfield Avenue.

This document is a public hearing notice regarding an amendment to the Township of Clark's Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (HEFSP). The amendment, prepared to implement a December 2025 Mediation Agreement with Fair Share Housing Center, Inc., details the Township's actions to meet its affordable housing responsibilities. The HEFSP is an element of the Township's Master Plan, addressing all four housing cycles.

The meeting involved a formal session where the board proceeded with hearing an application from Clark Broadway Associates LLC for preliminary and final major site plan approvals for a development at 52 Westfield Avenue. This application is governed by the amended and restated Westfield Avenue redevelopment plan. The proposed development is a four-story mixed-use building featuring approximately 138 residential apartments over ground-floor retail space and parking, which will provide around 21 affordable housing units. Key discussion points included the history of the redevelopment process dating back to 2018, the proposed site plan modifications following a Technical Review Committee (TRC) meeting, details on parking provisions (including tandem spaces and EV charging readiness), elimination of existing curb cuts, and enhancement of the streetscape with wider sidewalks, new street trees, and amenities along Westfield Avenue, Joseph Street, and Broadway. Expert testimony was presented regarding the civil engineering aspects of the plan.