Ho-Ho-Kus September 29, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Engineer recommends changes to soil moving ordinance by Jennifer Crusco At the suggestion of the borough engineer, the Ho-HoKus Council is considering the Tuesday, Sept. 28 introduction of an ordinance that would update the municipality’s current soil moving regulations. Soil moving permits are required in relation to various construction projects. Ho-Ho-Kus Borough Attorney David Bole, who outlined the proposal to the council last week, said the purpose of the measure would be to replace the current ordinance, which he characterized as badly outdated. The updated ordinance, Bole said, had been recommended by David Hals, the borough’s professional engineer. Bole added that the ordinance is based on one now being used in another municipality. The attorney said the measure has been reviewed by members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Planning Board, which is charged with hearing soil moving permit applications, and by Construction Code Official Larry Scorzelli. Bole said the new language would further regulate the movement of soil in the borough and would refine the permit application process by breaking down the applications into various categories. Under the proposed ordinance, Bole said, there would be different permit thresholds depending on the amount of soil to be moved. He said the ordinance also provides for the establishment of a Soil Moving Committee, which would include among its members the construction official, a planning board designee, and the borough engineer. A major soil moving permit application would be heard by the planning board, and would include a public hearing and official notice, Bole said. The ordinance sets forth a detailed application procedure, he added. Once the application has been approved, he said, anyone with a grievance would be able to approach the planning board or the mayor and council to present an appeal. Bole said the ordinance also includes a list of fees, requirements for performance bonds, and, if the soil movement is to take place along streets, requirements for posting a road restoration bond. The attorney asked the council members to review the proposed ordinance, paying special attention to the underlined sections, which represent additions to the current regulations. Fielding questions from the council members, Bole acknowledged that the updated ordinance would provide fines in instances where construction debris and runoff became issues. He said the issues raised earlier in the meeting by a borough resident would be comprehensively covered by this ordinance, saying, “This is a major upgrade of what we have on the books.” During the public discussion portion of the meeting, a resident told the council she has been experiencing significant runoff problems on her property since her next door neighbor’s major construction project began. She said she has attempted to call the homeowner about the runoff problem, adding that food garbage, broken tools, and other debris had made the neighbor’s property unsightly. Councilman Doug Troast suggested the resident call the Bergen County Soil Conservation District regarding this matter. And, at the request of Councilman Gordon Hamm, Borough Administrator Don Cirulli said he would look into what permits had been approved for that project. ���������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� Second Hand Treasures ������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� $25atOffmore,Newcustomer, not applicable to a Adult Bicycle Priced $300 or one per prior purchases. Offer expires 12/31/10 396 Franklin Ave Wyckoff, NJ 201-891-5500 Across from Aldo’s Restaurant ���������������������� �������������������������������� ����������������������������� ������������ Wyckoff Cycle LLC ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������� Bikes for the Whole Family and the Pros � �������������������������� WE REPAIR ALL BICYCLE BRANDS �������������������� ��������������������������� ������������ 7-21-10 janine\ SecondHandTreasures2x2(7-21-10) 2 x 2”