Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue ...
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (908) 464-2700 ext. 2116 www.BH-EC.org MEMO September 10, 2013 TO: Planning Board Subject: 528 Old Brook Lane, Block 3802. Lot 5 The Environmental Commission appreciates that the applicant has submitted a letter of Interpretation form the NJ DEP and Stormwater Management Calculations. We are concerned, however, with the intrusions into the 50 foot buffer zone and recommend that the shed be removed from this area. We also recommend that the homeowner: • Create a no-mow zone along the buffer by planting native plants • Never dump litter, motor oil, animal waste, or leaves into the buffer • Pick up after pets. • Apply herbicides and pesticides as a last resort and based on the manufacturer’s instructions We also recommend that the applicant use pervious pavers or pervious asphalt for any driveway.
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (908) 464-2700 ext. 2116 www.BH-EC.org MEMO April 9, 2014 TO: Zoning Board of Adjustment Subject: 86 Orion Road, Block 3401, Lot 16 The Environmental Commission notes that this property is in the 50- and 150-ft zones of a wetland, so we recommend that measures be taken to retain stormwater runoff. . For example, if downspout connections run into the street, the applicant could disconnect them from the street and consider constructing a rain garden. Also, the applicant might use rain barrels to collect water for watering. Information on rain gardens is available at the Rutgers website: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/. Type “Rain garden” into the search window.
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (908) 464-2700 ext. 2116 www.BH-EC.org MEMO October 16, 2012 TO: Zoning Board Subject: 23 Roosevelt Ave, Block 1302, Lot 3 The Environmental Commission recommends that any downspouts from the shed not drain into the street or sewer, but instead be directed to a rain garden or a drywell since the property is close to the buffer zone of a wetland.
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (908) 464-2700 ext. 2116 www.BH-EC.org MEMO July 8, 2014 TO: Planning Board Subject: 27 Washington Ave., Block 1802, Lot 2, Minor subdivision The Environmental Commission notes that the application increases total impervious surface coverage beyond the allowed 25 percent to more than 33 percent for a property near a wetlands. The application does not include the checklist for “green building” per Ordinance 17-2010. The Commission recommends that the application also include a stormwater study and plan to mitigate runoff. Lacking such a study, the Commission recommends that the application be denied.
97 Emerson Lane The Environmental Commission has reviewed the plans for this subdivision and have the following comments. 1) The current property is nicely wooded and would be significantly disturbed. There is no indication of which trees would be removed or of a tree replacement plan. 2) The applicant has not complied with the amended checklist item under Ordinance 16-2010 related to green building design. We recognize that the 2 proposed dwellings are just conceptual at this stage. However, it is still appropriate to find out the builder's philosophy and intent when it comes to the specific goals of green building, as listed in the checklist item. The applicant has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement but that does not meet the intent of 16-2010. The EIS is a whole other matter and is not responsive to this particular checklist item. 3) The EC is very concerned about the routing of the drainage easement on the border between lots 77 and 78. It runs right past a line of large oak and ash trees, as large as 24 inch dbh. We are believe that a drainage line in that area will inevitably harm those trees. An alternate route should be found or the applicant should be asked how he plans to guarantee the survival of the trees involved. Does the applicant have the property owner's approval for this drainage easement? 4) The hydraulic calculations should be carefully reviewed. We are surprised at the relatively small deficit created by the removal of a half acre of woods and also wonder whether the woodlands loss might be more than half an acre. Furthermore, page 10 of the EIS states that stormwater from the detention basin will be released into the Township sewer system. This is not recharge of the groundwater, and puts an unnecessary burden on the storm sewer system. Leonard Berkowitz, Chairman Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 4/12/2011
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (908) 464-2700 ext. 2116 www.BH-EC.org MEMO April 9, 2014 TO: Zoning Board of Adjustment Subject: 86 Orion Road, Block 3401, Lot 16 The Environmental Commission notes that this property is in the 50- and 150-ft zones of a wetland, so we recommend that measures be taken to retain stormwater runoff. . For example, if downspout connections run into the street, the applicant could disconnect them from the street and consider constructing a rain garden. Also, the applicant might use rain barrels to collect water for watering. Information on rain gardens is available at the Rutgers website: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/. Type “Rain garden” into the search window.
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (908) 464-2700 ext. 2116 www.BH-EC.org MEMO October 16, 2012 TO: Zoning Board Subject: 23 Roosevelt Ave, Block 1302, Lot 3 The Environmental Commission recommends that any downspouts from the shed not drain into the street or sewer, but instead be directed to a rain garden or a drywell since the property is close to the buffer zone of a wetland.
Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 (908) 464-2700 ext. 2116 www.BH-EC.org MEMO July 8, 2014 TO: Planning Board Subject: 27 Washington Ave., Block 1802, Lot 2, Minor subdivision The Environmental Commission notes that the application increases total impervious surface coverage beyond the allowed 25 percent to more than 33 percent for a property near a wetlands. The application does not include the checklist for “green building” per Ordinance 17-2010. The Commission recommends that the application also include a stormwater study and plan to mitigate runoff. Lacking such a study, the Commission recommends that the application be denied.
97 Emerson Lane The Environmental Commission has reviewed the plans for this subdivision and have the following comments. 1) The current property is nicely wooded and would be significantly disturbed. There is no indication of which trees would be removed or of a tree replacement plan. 2) The applicant has not complied with the amended checklist item under Ordinance 16-2010 related to green building design. We recognize that the 2 proposed dwellings are just conceptual at this stage. However, it is still appropriate to find out the builder's philosophy and intent when it comes to the specific goals of green building, as listed in the checklist item. The applicant has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement but that does not meet the intent of 16-2010. The EIS is a whole other matter and is not responsive to this particular checklist item. 3) The EC is very concerned about the routing of the drainage easement on the border between lots 77 and 78. It runs right past a line of large oak and ash trees, as large as 24 inch dbh. We are believe that a drainage line in that area will inevitably harm those trees. An alternate route should be found or the applicant should be asked how he plans to guarantee the survival of the trees involved. Does the applicant have the property owner's approval for this drainage easement? 4) The hydraulic calculations should be carefully reviewed. We are surprised at the relatively small deficit created by the removal of a half acre of woods and also wonder whether the woodlands loss might be more than half an acre. Furthermore, page 10 of the EIS states that stormwater from the detention basin will be released into the Township sewer system. This is not recharge of the groundwater, and puts an unnecessary burden on the storm sewer system. Leonard Berkowitz, Chairman Berkeley Heights Environmental Commission 4/12/2011
