20230214 - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2023

           

 

Opening:

 

The public meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:13 p.m.

 

Present:  Greg Brown, Matthew Bandlet, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Michael Pickholz, Jonathan Papietro, Harold Maxwell and Jamie Fox were present. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Board Attorney, and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary.

 

Absent:  Jason Curreri was absent.

 

Minutes:          The minutes from January 10, 2023, and January 24, 2023 were adopted.

 

Resolution Memorialization: The following resolutions were memorialized:

-        McKenna, 279 West End Avenue – revised resolution

-        Zuravliovas, 647 Newcomb Road

 

Non-agenda items:

 

            Board member comments: There were no comments at this time.

 

            Members of the public comments: There were no comments at this time.

 

Public hearings

 

Mr. Brown announced the following adjournments:

-        Kaptain, 645 Hillcrest Road, was carried to April 25, 2023 without further notice.

-        ELRAC, LLC/Enterprise Rent-a-Car, 545 North Maple Avenue, was carried to April 25, 2023 without further notice.

-        Adam, 562 Morningside Road, was carried to March 14, 2023 without further notice.

 

Old Business:

 

JASON POLLARD – An application to permit the construction of a new front porch which would result in a front yard setback of 34.8 feet, where 40 feet is required; and to permit the construction of a detached garage which would result in a rear yard setback of 3 feet, where 5 feet is required; a height of 19.5 feet, where 15 feet is permitted; and distance between garage and principal building of 10.87 feet where 12 feet is required at 679 Ellington Road, Block 4607, Lot 30, in an R-2 Zone. (Continued from December 13, 2022)

 

James Delia, Esq., briefly recapped what was proposed at the December 13 meeting and the revisions made. The applicant is now proposing a detached 2-story garage. Mr. Delia identified the variances being requested.

 

Paul Grygiel, Planner, was previously sworn, and testified regarding the revisions, stating that the side yard setback variance has been eliminated, but that due to the size and shape of the lot there is still a necessity for variance relief. The proposed front yard setback for the porch is needed due to the existing location of the home.

 

Mr. Grygiel testified that the second story of the garage would provide storage space.

 

Mr. Grygiel stated that the improvements will not negatively impact the streetscape.

 

Mr. Whitaker asked for clarification of the variances being sought for the garage.

 

Board members asked about the gross building area of the garage and asked if they considered a two-car garage and using one side for storage in order to eliminate the height variance. Board members voiced concern regarding the height of the garage and the impact it would have on the neighbors.

 

Board members indicated that they did not have concerns regarding the front yard setback for the porch.

 

There were no questions from the public.

 

Jason Pollard, homeowner, was sworn and testified regarding the purchase of the home and the updates and renovations being made. Mr. Pollard testified that the house was outdated and a detached garage is outdated. Mr. Pollard said there is not sufficient storage in the house, describing the layout and lack of closet space. Mr. Pollard stated the basement would be used for entertainment and a space for his children and the loft area in the garage would be for storage and a working space for his hobby.

 

Board members asked about the size of the basement and the need for the extra space in the garage. Board members explained that they could not consider personal hardships. Board members explained that if he builds a two-car garage he could still have storage space.

 

There were no questions from the public.

 

Milton Robinson, architect, was previously sworn and discussed what the height of the garage would be if they proposed a one-story garage.

 

Mr. Delia said the applicant agrees to build a one-story garage with a height of 15 feet, which would comply with the 1973 resolution.

 

Mr. Whitaker instructed the public that any comments could not be regarding a two-story garage as that is no longer proposed.

 

Jeana Cowie, 702 Midwood Road, commented that Mr. Pollard created the problem when he demolished the existing garage and said that the new garage should comply with current code.

 

Following discussion, Mr. Whitaker stated that the applicant needs to get the survey from when the prior garage was approved and submit a revised zoning chart with the plans for review by the Zoning Officer.

 

Mr. Delia asked that the application be bifurcated and have the Board vote on the front porch only.

There were no questions or comments from the public regarding the variance for the front porch.

 

Following Board deliberation, Mr. Bandelt made a motion to approve, Mr. Pickholz seconded and the application for the front porch only was approved. The hearing for the garage was carried to April 25, 2023 without further notice.

 

New Business:

 

GREGORY GELISH & LINDSAY UHDEN – An application to permit the construction of a one story addition and add an outdoor patio which will result in a front yard setback on Sherman Place of 24.25 feet where 40 feet is required; rear yard setback to addition of 15.75 feet, where 30 feet is required; gross building area of 35.5% where 35% is permitted; side yard setback to patio of 6.8 feet, and rear yard setback to patio of 5 feet, where 10 feet is required at 97 Washington Place, Block 2204, Lot 14, in an R-3 Zone. (Carried from December 13, 2023 without further notice)

 

Bruce Rosenberg, Esq., entered his appearance and made opening remarks, describing the property which is a corner lot.

 

Gus Morpurgo was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Morpurgo testified regarding the plans he prepared, describing the existing conditions and the existing and proposed floor plans. Mr. Morpurgo showed the proposed elevations and explained that the setback to the patio would be reduced.

 

Board members asked about the gross building area and the setbacks. Board members asked if the enclosed porch area was included in the gross building area. Mr. Morpurgo said it was. Board members were concerned about the patio setback. Board members asked if the mudroom could be in a different location. Board members asked if shrubbery could be added to attenuate the sound.

 

There were no questions from the public.

 

The application was carried to April 25, 2023 without further notice.

 

Discussion: There was Board discussion as to the summary of applications reviewed by the Board to determine what should be included in the annual report. The Board discussed having the Village Planner review applications.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:48 p.m.

 

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

 

Date Approved: February 28, 2023