Politics & Government

New Land Use Law Up For Vote

Ordinance would define Lake Valhalla Club, while opening redevelopment possibilities elsewhere in town.

The Montville Township Committee has scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday a public hearing and possibly final vote on an ordinance that would overhaul the town's land use laws for the first time in 25 years, defining Lake Valhalla Club and opening redevelopment possibilities elsewhere in town.

The 280-page ordinance has been in the works for a year. When the governing body unanimously introduced the law at its Nov. 9 meeting, Committeeman Scott Gallopo said committee members should not feel rushed or pressured to pass such a major document when changes were made by the Planning Board as recently as a couple of weeks before the Township Committee received it. Gallopo said responsibility ultimately falls on the committee.

An early draft was published to the township website on Sept. 23, but adjustments to the document—including to the definition of "country club," one part of the law that —later were made at the Planning Board's Oct. 27 meeting.

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The law approved about a year ago. The law would create several new zones, including a new Lake Recreation district for Lake Valhalla Club. The "country club" definition affects the Lake Valhalla Club. The law also is meant to streamline the application process for homeowners and businesses and allow more possible uses on sections of Route 46 and Changebridge Road.

“This is the first comprehensive update that Montville is going through in about 25 years,” township planning consultant Joseph Burgis has said.

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Lake Valhalla Club, which has been in existence since 1928, was never properly zoned or defined by an ordinance. Neighbors who say they don't like noise, traffic and light that they say comes from the club when it hosts weddings, have raised issues with whether weddings are social events or catering activities, and whether people who just have weddings there should be considered country club members.

Burgis previously referred to the club's activities as catering in a report during a club zoning board application and , but he said at a hearing on the new law that weddings would be allowed.

Mayor Jim Sandham said it's up for neighbors and the club to resolve any conflicts themselves.

Clarifying the Proposal

Under the proposal, a country club would be defined as

A private facility for swimming, tennis, and related recreational activities as set forth in Article XXIV, and which may include a clubhouse, restaurant, lounge and bar for social events for members and their guests, and for civic events.

The previous definition, which didn't include social or civic events, was

A private facility for tennis, swimming and related recreational activities which may include a clubhouse, restaurant, lounge and bar for the exclusive use of members and their guests.

According to minutes from the Oct. 27 meeting,

Burgis states ... banquets are allowed in the definition of country club and the township will not define what a member is. ... Mr. Tobias questioned if weddings will still be allowed. Mr. Burgis states that no functions currently taking place will be eliminated.

Mr. Lewis asked Mr. Burgis what Club functions or activities that currently take place under the Club’s current zoning would no longer be permitted after adoption of the new zoning ordinance.  Mr. Burgis indicated that there would be no change from what is currently permitted.

Dennis O’Brien asked for a clarification if weddings are allowed.  Mr. Burgis states that they are allowed.  He states that the concern for the future is that someone can purchase club and turn it into catering hall.  He would like only Montville residents to be able to use it. Mr. Burgis states the principal use has to be a country club. Mr. Sandham states that many civic associations use the club.

Casey Nix also questioned if the building could become a stand alone banquet facility. Mr. Burgis again stated no.

Josh Mann, Esq. attorney for the objectors, states the neighbors are upset about the 3-4 weddings per weekend. Mr. Sandham is upset that the neighbors and the club could not come to a resolution on their own. Mr. Lewis questioned what the neighbors complaints were. Mr. Mann states car alarms going off, lights on all night and buses idling in the parking lot.

Tom Fleischell, President of the Board of the Lake Valhalla Club, states that the Club feels the Planning Board has met their mandate to develop a zoning ordinance that follows the Master Plan. They had an internal meeting with the members and thought it was productive. He asked for reasonable amount of time to foster a resolution with the neighbors. Parking is not an issue for the weddings. Thursdays and Fridays are the busiest days in the summer. There will be no weddings in July and no parties on Thursdays and Fridays in the summer.

Karen Quinn states that the club is not working with the neighbors.

Jim Watkins states that he hears noise occasionally but thinks the club does fine with regulating the events.


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