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RECREATION,
PARKS & CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL COMMITTEE MINUTES |
AUGUST 16, 2006
ATTENDANCE: Fred Bondi, Chairman; Rev. Phyllis Bolden, Mayor Richard Moccia
STAFF: Michael Mocciae, Recreation and Parks Director
OTHERS: Diane Lauricella, Doug Peoples, Robert Koch, Todd Bryant
I. ROLL CALL
Mr. Bondi called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. and then called roll. Because there were only two Committee members present, there was not a quorum. Mr. Bondi stated that most of the agenda items would be discussed and then referred to the appropriate Departments.
II. MINUTES OF JULY 19, 2006
These will be held until the next meeting when a quorum is present.
III. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to discuss.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach (Stews Tent) by American Institute for Foreign Study (A.I.F.S.) for a Company Picnic to be held on Friday, September 11, 2006 from 12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM. Estimated attendance 140.
Mr. Bondi noted that the agenda listed the date as September 11th, which he believed was a Monday. Mr. Mocciae checked a calendar and stated that the correct date should be listed as September 8th. Mr. Bondi stated that this item would be forwarded to the Department for approval.
2. Approve the use Cranbury Park Pavilion and the immediate surrounding grounds by Muehlstein for a Company Picnic to be held on Saturday, September 9, 2006 from 12:00 NOON – 5:00 PM. Estimated attendance 250.
A representative from Muehlstein was present and asked if it was possible to schedule a rain date for the 10th. Mr. Mocciae stated that it was policy that when the pavilion was rented, the rental did not include a rain date. If the company wished to have a rain date, then that would be a separate rental agreement. Mr. Bondi commented that Muehlstein would have to check with Patty to see if the date was available because the Cranbury Park Pavilion has a very full schedule.
3. Approve the use of the Cranbury Park and the trails by Targetraining for a 5 mile Trail Race to be held on Sunday, October 8, 2006 from 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM. Estimated attendance 200.
The organizer for Targetraining was present and explained that he trains every day, average people to get his clients off the road and onto natural surfaces, which have lower impact. He also stated that his organization is allied with Leave No Trace, a green organization. There will be a presentation by Leave No Trace about keeping the impact low on the land. He stated that trail maintenance will be done before and after the race.
Mr. Bondi recognized Ms. Lauricella and informed her that this was not a public hearing, however he was allowing her to speak. She stated her name for the record and said that she had a point of information she wished to clarify. She stated that the League of Women Voters Environment Committee had identified trail issues related to bicycle racing on trails through wetlands. She said that the project sounds interesting venture, but was uncertain whether Targetraining included anything other than foot traffic. She commented that the League likes the Leave No Trace organization and would like to speak with the organizer about the condition of the trails. Mr. Mocciae stated that this issue had been addressed before the meeting and that the organizer had plans to walk the trails in order to decide which ones would be appropriate to use.
Mr. Bondi stated that this issue will be forwarded to the Department to be approved. This was agreeable to all.
4. Approve the use of Calf Pasture Beach (Stews Tent) by Terex Corporation for a Company Picnic to be held on Monday, September 11, 2006 from 12:00 NOON – 6:00 PM. Estimated attendance 100+.
Mr. Mocciae stated that this event had been canceled.
5. Approve the use of Jefferson Basketball and Tennis Courts to be used for one year as a temporary parking area by the Board of Education for staff and parent drop-off and pick-up.
Mr. Bondi commented that this item has been discussed between Mr. Alvord, Mr. Mocciae and himself, and this issue has also come to this committee before. He stated that this would only be used for about one year to see how it works. Mr. Alvord wishes to avoid closing the street off between Jefferson and the basketball and tennis courts. Mr. Mocciae stated that the tennis and basketball courts are in disrepair. Before restoring the courts, the baskets would have to be removed anyway. Before restoring or repairing the courts, it seems wise to try this proposal for a year to facilitate establishing a traffic pattern off the street. Mr. Mocciae stated that if this plan works, the adjacent parking lot across the street will be made into a green space area with parking for approximately fifteen vehicles.
Mr. Bondi stated that he that this item needs to be place on the Council agenda. However, Mr. Mocciae pointed out that the next Council meeting was scheduled for September 12th, after school starts. Mayor Moccia commented that he was not positive that this would need Council approval because it was no different than altering another piece of parkland, which does not require Council approval. Mr. Bondi then said he would poll the other members of the Committee for their input. Mr. Mocciae commented that if Mr. Bondi could contact the other members of the Committee by next Monday, the work could start on Wednesday in order to get something in place for the start of the school year. This was agreeable to all.
6. Authorize the Mayor, Richard A. Moccia to execute any and all documents necessary to amend the agreement by and between the City of Norwalk and BSC Group for professional services regarding improvements to Oyster Shell Park dated November 9, 2005 as the scope of services for development of construction documents.
Mr. Bondi stated that he would like to move this to the Council since there is time to do so. Mr. Mocciae commented that it was presented to the Planning Commission, who approved the plan. This was agreeable to all.
V. DISCUSSION
Mr. Bondi commented that he wished to add Fodor Farm to the agenda. He commented that this issue had been discussed at the recent Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Bondi said that Mr. Briggs had requested more time on this issue. Mr. Bondi commented that he would bring this up to the Committee because the Committee had already voted unanimously to proceed with the project as proposed, stating that the Committee wished to sell the three parcels with deed restrictions on them.
Mr. Bondi commented that Mr. Bryant was present to represent a committee that was studying this issue. He reiterated that the previous recommendation was approval to proceed with the disposition procedure of the existing three houses on the property with recommendations to the Planning Committee. He stated that this would go forward to the Common Council and then to Land Use and Building Management. Mr. Bondi said that he had informed Mr. Briggs that he would not change that unless the consensus of this meeting was to change the original decision. Rev. Bolden asked why the original decision should be changed.
Mr. Mocciae informed the Committee that at the meeting, the topic was the separation of the lots. The first issue is that the surveyor’s map are not as specific as the Committee wanted. Mr. Mocciae stated that Michael Wrinn believes that there are two or more properties already divided, which would eliminate the need for applying for a subdivision. That needs to be verified. The second item, which everyone is in agreement about, is that all three parcels need to be sold. The issue which there are differences is the fact whether it remains as a deed restricted property or a historical district property. Rev. Bolden commented that this issue had already been discussed. Mr. Mocciae commented that while the Recreation and Parks Committee already had discussed this, Planning wished to get information about the difference between deed restrictions and historical district. They also wished to see a copy of the grant that was given to the City to ensure that the City can proceed with the project. Mr. Mocciae concluded that if the Recreations and Parks Committee denies this request, then the Planning Commission must hold a meeting within 35 days to decided the issue. If the Planning Commission decides against the proposal, then it goes to the Council, which would take a two thirds majority to approve it. Mr. Mocciae stated that Mr. Bryant was present to talk about the difference between deed restrictions and a historic district and explain any details that the Committee was not aware of.
Mr. Bryant introduced himself and stated that he was the chairman of the Fodor Farm Historic Study Committee. He stated that the Historic Significance report from the consultant had finally arrived. A special Committee meeting of the study group will be held on the 21st to approve this report, so that by the 22nd, they will be able to submit the entire report to Planning and Zoning, as required by the statute and to the State Historic Preservation Office. This includes the Historic Significance, the Historic District Ordinance, and the boundaries of the district.
Mr. Bryant went on to explain that there are significant differences between deed restrictions and a historic district. He commented that he was sorry that he was not able to present this to the entire Committee and would have appreciated being able to do it before them all. Mr. Bryant then distributed copies of a document entitled “The Local Historic District and Properties” to the members present. He stated that there was a basic explanation on the first page, He commented that there are 108 local historic districts in the State. He stated that when he speaks with someone at the State Historic Preservation Office, they are always surprised that Norwalk does not have a Historic District. He then explained that the next page had a listing of the benefits of having a Historic District and that the document was from the National Parks Service website. One of the advantages of having a local historic district would be that Norwalk would be eligible to apply for Certified Local Government (CLG) status, which would allow the City access to a pool of grants that the City does not currently qualify for. These grants can be used for Historic Preservation purposes anywhere in the City. By statute, ten percent of the historic preservation fund to the states from the Federal government must be allocated for CLG grants. The Park Service figures included on the sheet are from 1997, which is the most recent set of figures available. In 1997, the Park Service distributed over 29 billion dollars.
Mr. Bryant then distributed copies of the a document entitled “Deed Restrictions vs. Historical District” to the Committee. He commented that Fodor Farm’s significance was in that it was important in documenting the immigration in Norwalk. The Fodor family was Hungarian. and at one point this particular section of Flax Hill was known as “Hunky Hill”. Like many other groups, the Hungarians came to work in the factories in Norwalk. As their financial situation improved, the family was able to purchase more land and this resulted in Fodor Farm.
Mr. Bryant stated that he thinks that everyone is in agreement about what should happen to these houses. They need to be sold to private individuals to maintain them. He stated that the Committee agrees with the subdivision and the sale. The issue where there is disagreement is how the houses should be protected.
Mayor Moccia commented that the first point, which states “Historical District Commissions are intended to provide design review.” Mayor Moccia commented that while deed restrictions are most often used to regulate land use, there is nothing to stop deed restrictions from having historical comments or things put into it, either. He stated that there was a statement that the “regulations can be easily modified”. Mayor Moccia then held up the statute covering 97a, which is a twenty one page document. The Mayor then pointed out that there was an entire list of items that had to met if there were houses in the area. He stated that he did not understand how deed regulations could be easily modified when there is a 21 page statute governing the issue. Mr. Bryant replied that he was speaking about the regulations the Commission would use for design review, not the regulations for creating the district. Mr. Bryant then went on to say that those regulations are designed to be easily modified as the Commission gains more experience, or things change in the community. The idea of a Historic Commission is that it is responsive, Mr. Bryant, claimed, and that it works with the home owners directly. The regulations would be interpreted by five people and if a home owner approached with a proposal for an new addition. Mayor Moccia commented that was called a Certificate of Appropriateness, 7-141s and therefore it does control the property. Mayor Moccia commented that a homeowner would have to go through the entire procedure to change a shutter. Mr. Bryant agreed, and then said not necessarily. Mr. Bryant then said maybe yes, maybe no. He pointed out that the regulations that he was speaking of were different. He said that the regulations require a Certificate of Appropriateness, but what he was speaking about was the procedure to get the Certificate.
Mr. Bondi commented that the Committee was being asked to designate three parcels as a Historical District, which would require a Committee of five people to oversee three properties. Mr. Bryant stated that he understood that concern and that the way this would be addressed is by having it become a subcommittee of the Historical Commission. This would avoid the necessity of adding another Commission.
Mayor Moccia pointed out that one of the requirements stated that one or more of the members or alternates of the Historic District Commission shall reside in the Historic District under the jurisdiction of that Commission. Mr. Bryant agreed that this was so and commented that he had asked the State about this. He reported that the State had said that if the area was too small, then it would be impossible to do. Mayor Moccia pointed out that this was a State statute and for any State employee or anyone else to waive the State statute would not be right. He then said he would like that to be put in writing along with an interpretation from the Attorney General to see if he agrees with that. Mr. Bryant agreed and stated that the Commission would deal with the issue when they got to it, but it was not an issue at the present time. Mayor Moccia disagreed, saying that if a Historical Commission was going to be formed with no one living on that property, it would not comply with the State statutes.
Mr. Bryant stated that the report needed to be submitted because that was the Commission’s charge. Mayor Moccia stated that, despite what was said in the newspaper, no one was arguing about the report being submitted and no one was arguing that the Council has the final say. He said that his concern was the idea that this was easy. He was also concerned with the idea that the City was not eligible for State or Federal grants unless this was done. Mr. Bryant replied that Norwalk would not be eligible for these particular grants, Mayor Moccia then displayed a stack of documents which he said were available through the State which do not require the City to have a Historical District. The mayor then added two more stacks of possible grants to the original one. Mr. Bryant asked the Mayor if he would walk away from the particular grants because there were others available. The Mayor replied that 99 percent of the grants were attainable without creating a separate, autonomous board under a twenty one page statute to manage three houses.
Mr. Bryant then stated that this would just be the beginning. The same Commission would be able to manage more historic districts. The Mayor commented that the Commission could expand the district once it was formed. Mr. Bryant agreed. The Mayor then said that these five people could conceivably have the power to create an eminent domain situation where they could dictate how the property was to be maintained. Mr. Bryant disagreed and stated that would not be a taking. He then stated that has been proven time after time. The Mayor disagreed, stating it was a form of eminent domain. Mr. Bryant disagreed. The Mayor stated that the area would be under a separate, autonomous board. Mr. Bryant stated that the property owners must vote to be in the district. Mr. Bryant conceded that usually the districts are much larger, but two thirds of the home owners must vote to join the District. The reason that property owners do that is because it enhances their property values by ensuring that the neighbor will not do something horrendous to his house. Mayor Moccia asked Mr. Bryant what his definition of “horrendous” was. Mr. Bryant replied that he did not know. The Mayor commented that Mr. Bryant’s definition of horrendous applied to the Mayor’s property may not be the same definition as the Mayor’s. Mr. Bryant stated that is why the regulations were created and why the Commission exists.
Mr. Mocciae commented that there was a house nearly by that was painted purple. Mr. Bryant stated that a property owner could paint every board a different color, but since it was reversible, it wasn’t a problem. However, he did admit that there are districts that do dictate the range of painting colors.
Mayor Moccia stated that he believed he had made it clear that he understood that there were some grants that were preserved only for historical districts, but he did not believe that creating an additional bureaucracy with a twenty one page State statute to manage three houses via a Commission of five people was not appropriate. He also said that not having the matter resolved by law regarding having a Commissioner reside in one of the residents and the fact that the Historic District can be enlarged or created were major concerns. He then stated that elected official would have to bring everything back to the Council in order to make changes and he did not know if that would be possible. When asked by Mr. Bryant about his concerns, Mayor Moccia stated that if there was an abuse of power by the five Commissioners in what they wanted to do with the area. Mr. Bryant asked if that had ever occurred. Mayor Moccia replied that he had heard about it and then proceeded to illustrate the statement by saying that he could relate stories about when property owners wished to change something and had to fight the Historic District. Mr. Bryant said that happens all the time. Mayor Moccia agreed with him and commented that the property owners had won the cases, which indicated that the Historic District had abused their power. He then commented that this discussion was not about Planning and Zoning for the entire City, but about three houses on two acres. He reiterated his earlier statement about the twenty one page statute and the creation of a commission in order to access some grants that they had no guarantee they would be awarded. He did say that there were set asides for Historical Districts, but that there were many programs for preservation that the City could apply for without having a Historical District. The mayor disagreed with the idea that a historical district is needed to protect these three houses when deed restrictions can be used. Mr. Bryant replied that deed restrictions were worthless. Mayor Moccia replied that the Corporation Counsel disagreed and that Mr. Bryant was advocating that the City ignore the Corporation Counsel’s opinion and that of the Planning and Zoning Department. He then stated that there would be a problem in fulfilling the requirement of having a member of the Commission in residence. The Mayor commented that an area such as Essex or Madison, with many old houses in the area, he did not believe they would have an argument. However, for three houses located on the perimeter of a public park being overseen by a five person commission was excessive. Mr. Bryant felt that this was an interesting interpretation of the statutes. He stated that the Commission can not on its own do anything like that. He reminded the Committee that those people in the district must vote themselves in.
Mr. Bondi stated that only two of the houses were of historic age, Mr. Bryant replied that this was not true. The houses are dated from 1895, 1862, and 1802, based on the research done.
Mr. Bondi commented that this Study Committee was started eleven months ago, in September of 2005. The only discussion that Mr. Bondi had with Mr. Bryant was over breakfast at Penny’s two months ago. Mr. Bondi stated that he had informed Mr. Bryant that the Recreation and Parks Committee was interested in going with the deed restrictions. Mr. Bryant had informed Mr. Bondi that they were in the process of getting the report. Mr. Bondi said that the item had then been put on the agenda and the Committee had voted on it. Mr. Bryant stated that the Study Committee had not known about that because it was done at the same item as their Committee meeting. Mr. Bondi replied there had been public notice and listed on the agenda. Mr. Bryant stated that they had a meeting at the exactly the same time. Mr. Bondi stated that a newspaper reporter had attended the Recreation Committee meeting, where the Committee members had voted unanimously for deed restrictions. Mr. Bryant said that the Study Committee had not presented their information and that they had been blindsided by the vote. He said that one of the reasons that the report had taken so long was because the Study Committee had to pay the consultant out of their own pockets. Mr. Bondi stated that when Mayor Knopp established the Study Committee had not given them a budget, nor was there a sense that one might be needed because the Committee was to determine the feasibility of establishing a Historic District. Mr. Bryant stated that the charge of the Committee was to report back on whether a Historic District should be established, propose an ordinance and a map. The statute requires that a Historical Significance report be done. Mr. Bryant said that none of the Study Committee were trained historians, but that he had another year and a thesis to go before he would complete his studies. Mr. Bondi stated that the City wanted to expedite this issue because they were having daily problems with vandalism. In another year, the houses may no longer be there.
Mr. Bryant said he could not agree more about the urgency of having something done about the houses and then proposed starting the process of cleaning up the houses and start listing the properties on historic house websites and publications along with general realtors. In the meantime, allow the historic district paperwork to proceed. Mayor Moccia pointed out that if the Historic District is created, the buyers of the property will need to know that in advance. If the properties are offered with deed restrictions, then the Corporation Counsel will have the documentation ready. Then it will be forwarded to Purchasing for the appropriate advertising. The parcels can not go out on to the open market until the Council has voted on whether the parcels will be in a Historic District or deed restricted. That is why it is important to have the report submitted and placed before the Council in September if possible and allow them to make the final decision. The Mayor commented that Mr. Bryant was correct about voting to enter a historical district, but pointed out the full page of instructions on sending out ballots to the neighbors, which he classified as a bureaucratic nightmare. Mr. Bryant stated that this was to insure that there are no takings issues.
Mr. Bondi stated that he will inform Mr. Briggs that the Recreation and Parks Committee will stand as is. He also mentioned that Mr. Grant had spoken with him earlier in the day and that Mr. Grant was inclined to allow the issue to stand as is. Mr. Bryant commented that this was without any of the information he had presented. Mr. Briggs will most likely have to call a special meeting on this issue. Mr. Bondi said that he will ask as many council members to attend that meeting, because Mr. Bryant will have an opportunity to present his findings to Planning. Mayor Moccia stated he would still like a written opinion regarding the issue of having a board member residing in the district.
Mr. Bryant then commented that there was a second half to the sentence and proceeded to read it aloud. “The ordinance shall provide that one or more of the members or alternates of the Historic District Commission shall reside in a Historic District under the jurisdiction of the Commission. If any person resides in any such district and are willing to serve on such Commission.” Mr. Bryant contended that if there was no one living in the district or no one was willing to serve, then they don’t have to be on the Commission.
Mayor Moccia commented that Norwalk does not have a Historical District in the City. Mr. Bryant agreed, stating that the Green had been a Historical District for about a week in 1986. There was an issue regarding the voting for the condo units as to whether each owner had a vote or if the condo unit only had one vote.
Mr. Mocciae asked if an area such as Silvermine had been considered for creating a Historic District. He pointed out that at Fodor Farm, there were only three houses, one of which is not habitable. He also observed that one of the Federal objectives was to create tourism and that Fodor Farm would not create any type of tourism. Mr. Bryant agreed. The Silvermine area, with the Tavern and the Guild, would be a much more attractive area. Mr. Bondi suggested that the Study Committee consider funneling their work towards Silvermine or Mill Hill. Mr. Bryant informed the Committee that Mill Hill was already in the National Registry. He also said that everything that has been accomplished would have to be redone because it was all specific for Fodor Farm. However, he would not object to working on making the Green a Historic District. Mr. Bryant said that two years ago, when the original proposal was made, the group thought this process would be easy because it was a single owner and City owned property. Mr. Mocciae commented that it had seemed that way because the original idea was to include the park, but later it became apparent that the park area could not be included. Mr. Bryant said that after checking the regulations again, the entire park area could be included. He also said that the Study Committee had also wanted to use the money from the sale of the houses to upgrade the park. Mr. Bondi stated that the park needed to remain in the hands of the elected officials. Mr. Bryant stated that while he would prefer to see the entire parcel designated, the Study Committee could go either way on that particular issue. Mr. Bondi pointed out that if the entire area was part of the Historic District, all the decisions regarding the park would come from the five person committee rather than the Parks Committee or the Council. Mr. Bryant admitted that he was not sure how that would actually work. He thought it might be the Parks Committee working together with the Historic District Commission.
Mayor Moccia stated that it was clear that he and Mr. Bryant disagreed on the reading of the regulations. He asked Mr. Bryant to tell him how if the District was created, how the elected officials of the City would have to go about changing something or having any control of anything on the property. Once the Commission was formed, everything would flow through the five appointed Commissioners, including the Certificate of Appropriateness and review. It would be the personal opinions of the Commissioners as to what would be permissible. Mr. Bryant commented that there are hundreds of organizations, one of which he had just received a scholarship from, that work on the way that the regulations are applied.
Mr. Mocciae asked what would happen if after forming a Historical District, no one wished to purchase the houses because of the restrictions. Mr. Bryant replied that he believed that issue was one of former Mayor Knopp’s concerns.
Rev. Bolden commented that she felt that deed restrictions are just as important as what is being proposed. She stated that she did not feel that these three houses did not make an entire district. While they are located on a parcel of land that has some historical significance, until Mr. Peoples came and spoke about the Farm, the property was neglected. Rev. Bolden pointed out that there were people who went there regularly and vandalized the property. Rev. Bolden concluded that deed restrictions would work well in this situation. Mr. Bryant said that this was what the Historic District would do. Rev. Bolden replied that Mr. Bryant had said earlier that there was a difference between deed restrictions and a historical district. Mr. Bryant commented that deed restrictions were very difficult to enforce. Mayor Moccia read the following from the Historic District regulations, “Historical District Commission reviews all changes and additions”. He then asked Mr. Bryant what would happen if someone made some changes that the Commission did not approve of and how the Commission would enforce the regulations. Mr. Bryant stated that there were remedies in the regulations. Mayor Moccia pointed out that the Commission would be taking the owners to court. He then commented that if a property owner violated the deed restrictions, the City would also find itself taking the property owner to court. Mr. Bryant commented that there was a process where the property owner could come to the Commission and work through the problem. Mayor Moccia replied that there was a process where the property owner could come to the elected officials and work through the problem, also. The point was, Mayor Moccia said, if a property owner wished to violate whatever regulations were established, the only remedy available would be to take the property owner to court. This is true with zoning violations and other issues. If someone violates the Historic District Commission’s concept of what is appropriate, and they refuse to make the changes, the Historic District will be obligated to take the property owner to court. The same is true if the property owner violates the deed restrictions. He also asked what would happen if the property owner sued the Historic District because the Commission had ruled against their proposed changes. Mr. Bryant allowed that this does happen. Mayor Moccia asked who would be responsible for paying the bill. He then pointed out that the Corporation Counsel would be responsible for representing the Commission, which Mr. Bryant felt would not be able to enforce the deed restrictions. Mr. Bryant replied that he did not say the Corporation Counsel would not have the ability, but that it is difficult to do. Mayor Moccia pointed out that this would be no more difficult to do than defending the Historic District.
Mr. Bryant asked the Mayor if he had ever had any personal experience with deed restrictions. Mayor Moccia stated that he had served papers on people for this. Mr. Bryant asked how easy were the issues to enforce. Rev. Bolden said that she had been involved in a neighbor’s easements and that the restrictions had been easy to enforce. Rather, she continued, it was difficult to undo the easement. Mr. Bryant stated that easements were different. Rev. Bolden said it was still a restriction and they were discussing restrictions. Mayor Moccia stated that if Mr. Bryant wanted experience, that he had served enough papers on people who had violated deed restrictions, who were then brought to court where the judge hammered out the settlement. If the property owner felt the deed restriction were illegal when they were first established, it would take a long time in court. Mayor Moccia pointed out that Mr. Bryant had said that historical districts in other parts of the state and the country had been sued and ended up in court. Mayor Moccia said that he could not see the difference between having a historical district that can be sued versus deed restrictions which could result in legal action. He also pointed out that in both cases, Corporation Counsel would be obligated to supply the defense in court. Mr. Bryant stated that was an unanswerable question. Mayor Moccia indicated that it was listed on one of the documents that Mr. Bryant had distributed earlier. Mr. Bryant commented that from his experience and from what he had read, deed restrictions were more difficult to enforce. He then related an example that happened in West Norwalk where a parcel with a deed restriction of having the parcel remain as a two acre lot was located in an “A” zone. After being purchased, the owner then subdivided the lot into two one acre parcels, which was allowable under zoning. It was up to the neighbors to enforce the deed restriction and he reiterated that this was difficult to do. Mayor Moccia replied that they would have to go to court, but that the difference was that the City were not neighbors. If it was the Historic District Commission, the Corporation Counsel would be obligated to defend them if someone sued or disagreed with the Commission’s interpretation.
Mr. Bondi stated that he wished to move this issue to the Planning Committee. From there, it will be presented to the Council. Mayor Moccia stated that whatever the Council decides will be the final decision. Either way, the Mayor wishes to have the houses repaired and occupied. Mr. Bryant stated that no one could agree more with that. Mr. Bondi also agreed. Mr. Bryant asked if there was a way to keep the park area from becoming run down. Mr. Bondi suggested possibly forming a group like the Save the Cranbury Park organization. Mr. Mocciae commented that the Friends of Cranbury Park is a major asset to the park.
1. Veterans Park Master Plan
Mr. Bondi said that he would prefer to wait to discuss this issue when the other members of the Committee could be present.
2. Shady Beach Restrooms
Mr. Mocciae reported that the issue will go directly to the Council because the bids are not due until next week.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Bondi stated that the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Soltes
Telesco Secretarial Services
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