Public Hearing Lebanon Borough Petition for Plan Conformance
Introduction to Lebanon Borough
Lebanon Borough Location Lebanon was known in the early part of the 19th century as Jacksonville and later as Lebanonville, Lebanonville Depot and finally Lebanon - a station on the Central Railroad. The Borough was officially formed from Clinton Township in 1926. Hunterdon County official website
Lebanon Borough Background Statistics Established: 1926 Population (2006): 1,830 Land Area: 577 acres / 0.9 sq. mi. Agricultural Lands: 43 acres Preserved Lands: 38 acres Wetlands: 53 acres
Lebanon Borough - 2007 1930
Lebanon Borough Background Information Historic Districts: Lebanon Historic District Sites on the Highlands Scenic Resource Inventory: Part of the Round Valley Recreation Area Preserved Properties: Round Valley Recreation Area (State, 10 acres); Holjes-Sheppard Memorial Park (Municipal, 4 acres); Spencer Farm (Preserved Farm, 24 acres)
Lebanon Borough Significant Highlands Statistics Planning Area Lands: 577 Acres 100% Existing Community Zone: - 401.8 Acres - 70% Protection Zone: 26.3 Acres 4.5% Conservation Zone: 45.6 Acres 8% Roads: 103 Acres 18% Highlands Open Water Protection : 326 Acres 56% Severe Steep Slope Areas: 107 Acres 18% Total Forest Area: 143 Acres 25% (no Forest Resource Areas) Agricultural Priority Areas: 64 Acres 11%
Lebanon Borough Background Statistics Land Use NJDEP Land Use/Land Cover (2005/2007) Acres Percent Residential (Single & Multi Family) 169.5 27.9% Commercial (Retail) 96.7 16.8% Industrial & Transportation & Utilities 80.3 12.9% Agriculture (Crops & Plantations) 30.3 5.2% Recreational Lands (Public & Private) 11.7 2.0% Other Urban or Built-Up Land 56.7 9.8% Subtotal Developed Lands 445.1 75% Mixed Forest 49.2 9.7% Shrub & Scrub 29.0 5.3% Mixed Wetlands 51.1 9.0% Barren Lands 1.6 1.1% Surface Waters (Lakes, Ponds & Tributaries) 0.9 0.1% Subtotal Natural Lands (incl. Open Space) 131.8 25.3% Total 576.9 100.0%
Lebanon Borough Sampling of Borough Planning Initiatives In addition to maintaining an up-to-date Comprehensive Master Plan (including all mandatory elements and numerous optional elements), Lebanon Borough has a history of proactive engagement in community planning and conservation initiatives: Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance 2002 Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan 2005 Environmental Resource Inventory 2008 Historic District listed on State and National Register 2008 Community Forestry Management Plan 2010 Sign Ordinance (revision) 2010
Request for Map Adjustment Lebanon Borough s Petition requested a Map Adjustment to change from Protection Zone to Existing Community Zone for a site owned by the Bellemead Development Corporation: Portions of the lots were already modified from Protection Zone to Existing Community Zone, through an RMP Update. The Map Adjustment is for two parcels (Block 4, Lots 1.03 and 1.04) bounded by I-78 on the north, U.S. Route 22 on the south. Part of a larger tract of land designated by the Borough in 1985 as a Planned Commercial Development ( Route 78 Corporate Center ) intended for a corporate campus development. Significant components of the project have been completed under prior approvals, with those of the subject parcels dating to April 2001.
Request for Map Adjustment
Bellemead Site Map Adjustment
Request for Map Adjustment
Request for Map Adjustment As a result of a staff site visit, it is recommended that the Council approve a Map Adjustment as there is no loss of Protection Zone resource values, the area is consistent with the Existing Community Zone and remaining resources will be protected through the adoption of the Highlands Land Use Ordinance. The Ordinance will apply should the existing approvals lapse and a new application for development regarding the parcels be reviewed by the municipality under the provisions of the Highlands Land Use Ordinance. The Land Use Capability Zone Map for the Bellemead property in Lebanon Borough has been revised to reflect the recommended Map Adjustment.
Request for Map Adjustment
Lebanon Borough Hunterdon County, New Jersey PETITION FOR PLAN CONFORMANCE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD 12/7/09 Petition for Plan Conformance Submitted 2/4/10 Petition Deemed Administratively Complete 2/9/10 Petition Posted to Highlands Council Website 6/23/10 Draft Consistency Report Sent to Municipality 10/25/10 Final Draft Report Posted to Highlands Council Website 11/9/10 End of Public Comment Period (Start 10/25/10) 11/16/10 Final Report Posted to Highlands Council Website 11/19/10 Highlands Council Public Hearing
Highlands Municipal Build-Out Report Modules 1 & 2 The Report uses a Limiting Factor Analysis to examine Land-Based, Resource-Based, and Utility-Based Capacities. The Highlands Municipal Build-Out Report for Lebanon Borough was completed by the Highlands Council in collaboration with the municipality prior to a finding of Administrative Completeness of the Petition. The Report is dated July 2009 and was posted to the Highlands Council website on July 24, 2009. Staff RMP Consistency Finding: CONSISTENT
Housing Plan Module 3 Summary of Lebanon Borough Fair Share Obligation Rehabilitation Share: 3 Units Prior Round Obligation: 34 Units Growth Share Obligation: 30 Units (17 with permitted exclusions) Summary of Lebanon Borough Fair Share Plan Municipal Rehabilitation Program: 2 Accessory apartments and 1 rebuilt single family home. 3 credits Inclusionary Development #1: Presidential Place (aka, Pizzo Development), located at Block 3 Lots 1 & 3, includes 150 housing units; 120 market rate units and 30 affordable rental units. Anticipated Credits: 13 toward Prior Round; 17 plus 7 bonus credits toward Third Round; Total: 37. Inclusionary Development #2: Heights of Lebanon (aka Kaplan Development), located at Block 10 Lot 2, Railroad Avenue (under construction). Anticipated Credits: 12 plus 9 bonus credits; total 21. Other Mechanism: Community Residence for Developmentally Disabled, Block 8 lot 26, Hunterdon Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Completed. 4 credits Staff RMP Consistency Finding: CONSISTENT
Presidential Place Apartments (Pizzo and Pizzo)
Environmental Resource Inventory Module 4 Describes & Illustrates Highlands Resources, Resource Areas, and Special Protection Areas in the Municipality Lebanon Borough Submittal Based on Highlands Council Model Environmental Resource Inventory All Applicable Narrative Portions Retained All Applicable Exhibits Included Staff RMP Consistency Finding: CONSISTENT
Master Plan Highlands Element Module 5 Lebanon Borough Submittal Based on Highlands Council Model All Applicable Narrative Portions Retained All Applicable Exhibits Provided Staff RMP Consistency Finding: CONSISTENT
Highlands Area Land Use Ordinance Module 6 Lebanon Borough Submittal Based on Highlands Council Model All Applicable Narrative Portions Retained Exhibits Provided by Highlands Council (Parcel-Based) Staff RMP Consistency Finding: CONSISTENT
Municipal Petition for Plan Conformance Module 7 Consists of all Petition Supporting Materials: Petitioning Resolution/Ordinance, Self-Assessment Report, List of Current Planning Documents, Highlands Implementation Plan & Schedule Lebanon Borough Submittals Based on Highlands Council Models Resolutions (Planning Area) Complete Self-Assessment Report Accurate & Complete Requested Planning Documents Submitted to Highlands Council Staff RMP Consistency Finding: CONSISTENT
Lebanon Borough Petition for Plan Conformance Public Comments Received The public comment period for Lebanon Borough s Petition for Plan Conformance opened October 25, 2010, and closed November 9, 2010. Notice was given in area newspapers as well as on the Highlands Council website and through the Highlands Council e-mail alert system. Comments received from: New Jersey Highlands Coalition expressing support for Lebanon s Petition Glenn S. Patel of Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLC on behalf of Bellemead Development Corporation.
Public Comments and Responses Comment: Bellemead requested that the entirety of the Corporate Center at Lebanon should be included within the Existing Community Zone and the Borough s Highlands Land Use Ordinance should include language making it clear that the entirety of the Corporate Center may be developed in the future free of any Highland Act limitations. Response: It is recommended that the Map Adjustment requested by the Borough be approved to change from Protection Zone to Existing Community Zone. As the Corporate Center has valid approvals, the Highlands Ordinance will only apply should those approvals lapse requiring review of a new application to the municipality under the provisions of the Highlands Land Use Ordinance.
Petition Disposition Lebanon Borough Petition for Plan Conformance Staff Recommendation: APPROVE WITH CONDITIONS PROPOSED CONDITIONS Adoption of Ordinance Petitioning for Planning Area Adoption of Environmental Resource Inventory Completion for Highlands Council Approval & Adoption of Final Highlands Element & Land Use Ordinance
Petition Disposition Lebanon Borough Petition for Plan Conformance CONDITIONS (Continued) Adoption of Updated Zoning Map Compliance with Fair Housing Act (Court Approval) Update/Development & Implementation of: Water Use & Conservation Management Plan Stormwater Management Plan (updated only) Habitat Conservation & Management Plan Land Preservation & Stewardship Program Septic System Management/Maintenance Plan Scenic Resource Management Plan (optional)
Council Deliberation