Washington Township planning board approves amended site-plan resolution after extra tree removals

The Township of Washington Planning Board on a recorded vote approved an amendment to a 2023 site‑plan resolution for Lot 5 (Lot 2503.03) on East Glen/Eastland Avenue to reflect additional tree removals and the remediation performed by the applicant.

The amendment updates paragraph 11 of Resolution P‑2308 (originally approved in February 2023) to note that the applicant removed 60 trees from the site rather than the 51 listed in the original approval, and records that the applicant has planted 15 trees as remediation required under a municipal court plea agreement. The board’s roll call recorded unanimous approval.

Blacoya Petreski, attorney for the applicant, told the board the application otherwise conforms with zoning and that the site plan and house footprint — a proposed single‑family dwelling of about 2,500 square feet with a roughly 500‑square‑foot garage — remain unchanged. She asked the board to reauthorize the original resolution with the single change to paragraph 11. "We are not requesting any other changes to the resolution," Petreski said.

Miss Carter, the applicant and witness in the hearing, testified under oath that she did not alter the previously approved site plan and that her intent is to "build my house there as planned, 2,500 square feet approximately over 2 floors and maybe a little bit over 500 square feet on a garage. And I don't wanna change anything." She confirmed she would comply with the 18 conditions attached to the 2023 approval.

Lou Lamatina, board attorney, reported he had contacted the township prosecutor and said the criminal matter was the subject of a plea agreement; the plea calls for planting 15 trees at town‑designated locations and the case is scheduled for dismissal in court after compliance. Lamatina recommended the board accept that remediation in its amended resolution and noted the board retains jurisdiction over land‑use approvals separate from the municipal court process.

Board members and counsel discussed the broader planting commitments in the resolution. Counsel for the applicant confirmed the applicant will plant a total of 80 trees as set forth in the approved plans during construction, including a planting plan that specifies 48 emerald green arborvitae on the easterly border adjacent to the Garden State Parkway right‑of‑way and 32 deciduous trees (16 sugar maples and 16 black gums) of 3‑inch caliper or better along the northerly and southerly borders.

After opening and closing a public comment period with no speakers, the board moved, seconded and approved the amendment by roll call. The motion as recorded directs that the board’s resolution be amended to reflect the additional tree removals, note the municipal summons and the remediation planting of 15 trees, and confirm the applicant’s agreement to comply with the remaining conditions of the February 2023 approval.

The board did not alter other conditions of the February 2023 approval. The amended resolution will be entered into the record and the applicant must complete the remaining plantings as part of construction per the approved plans.