20210316 - Planning Board Public Meeting Minutes

Ridgewood Planning Board

Virtual Online Public Meeting

March 16, 2021

The following minutes are a summary of the Planning Board meeting of March 16, 2021. Interested parties may request an audio recording of the meeting from the Board Secretary for a fee.

Call to Order & Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act: Chairman Joel called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Roll Call – The following members were present: Mayor Knudsen, Chief Van Goor, Councilwoman Reynolds, Richard Joel, Dianne O’Brien, Debbie Patire, Frances Barto, Alysson Wesner and Igor Lyubarskiy. Also present were Christopher Martin, Board Attorney; Maryann Bucci-Carter, Village Planner; Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary. Melanie Hooban and Darlene Johnson were absent.

Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board – There were no comments at this time.

Christopher Martin announced that he accepted a job with the Attorney General’s office and that this would be his last meeting. The Board had appointed Harwood Lloyd, LLC, as the Attorneys for the Board, and Stephen Wellinghorst, Esq., of Harwood Lloyd, LLC, will take over as Board Attorney during the period of transition. Board members expressed their gratitude to Mr. Martin and his commitment to the Board for the past 5 years.

Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics – Mayor Knudsen reported that the Council would be conducting interviews for the Historic Preservation Commission. Mayor Knudsen asked if the Board would prepare a letter supporting the application by the Village for the New Jersey Historic Trust grant for the preservation of the Zabriskie-Schedler House.

54 East Ridgewood Landmark, LLC, 54 East Ridgewood Avenue, Block 3809, Lot 7.01 – Application for Minor Site Plan Approval and Variance relief as needed permit a rooftop bar and rooftop food bar – Jason Tuvel, Esq., entered his appearance on behalf of the applicant and made opening remarks regarding the 2018 decision from the Zoning Board of Adjustment that the use is permitted. Mr. Tuvel explained the 2 variances being requested for the setback of the bar and food bar areas.

Anthony Bucco, chef and partner of Felina Restaurant, was sworn and testified as to the outside dining and the rooftop plan. Mr. Bucco explained that there would be a food bar for pizza and cold preparation, a traditional bar and seating for 40 people. Mr. Bucco testified as to the days and hours of operation, garbage disposal, railings and planters, lighting, music and screening. A lighting plan will be submitted, and the applicant will work with the owner of the neighboring building in regards to screening for the tenants whose windows look onto the rooftop.

Board members asked if there had been a review from the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Tuvel asked that the Historic Preservation Commission review be done separately. Board members had concerns about noise and light attenuation for the tenants next door. Board members had questions about the bar and if there would be seating all the way around. Mr. Bucco stated that there would be 12 seats around the bar, the side closest to the apartment would be used as a serving area.

Public Questions: Romen Hadadan, owner of neighboring building had concerns about the safety of his tenants as patrons of the rooftop area would be able to see into the apartment windows. Mr. Hadadan explained that the windows on his building were the original windows and that new windows may help with the noise. Mr. Bucco said they would screen the area and ensure privacy for the tenants with removable screens, also ensuring that when the rooftop area was not in use the tenants would get air and light. Mr. Bucco said they would work with Mr. Hadadan on the design of the screen.

Jeff Fleisher was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Fleisher testified as to the plans he prepared. Mr. Fleisher described the screening for the rooftop equipment, and stated he would work with the neighbor regarding the screening for the tenants next door. Mr. Fleisher will provide a lighting plan. Mr. Fleisher described the elevations, stating that the bar area would be a metal structure that would be gray with white trim and columns. The food prep area would match in color and have a sloped roof. Mr. Fleisher stated that the building elevation, parapet and railing had prior approval from HPC.

Board members asked how customers got to the roof, Mr. Fleisher indicated the stairs on the plans. Board members asked about the design of the railing and the colors and materials for the bar and food bar areas. Mr. Fleisher said he would provide a rendering and samples of the materials to be used. Board members asked if the railing could go all the way around to the stairs, Mr. Fleisher said they would do that. Board members asked if the screening would go around the food bar, Mr. Fleisher said it could.  

There were no questions from the public for Mr. Fleisher.

Kate Keller was sworn and her credentials as a professional planner accepted. Ms. Keller testified as to the variances being requested, stating that the benefits outweighed the detriment. Ms. Keller stated that using the rooftop as an outdoor dining space promotes the principles in the master plan, maintains aesthetics and keeps the downtown active. Ms. Keller stated the negative criteria, noise and visual impact, is being mitigated.

There were no questions from the Board or the public for Ms. Keller.

Ms. Bucci-Carter’s report was marked as Exhibit B-1. Ms. Bucci-Carter testified that the Mr. Rutishauser’s report was marked as Exhibit B-2.

Mr. Tuvel summarized the stipulations.

Maryann Bucci-Carter, Village Planner, was sworn and went over the items from her report which were stipulated to. Ms. Bucci-Carter asked if the applicant was going to complete the façade as it was approved by HPC. They said it would be. Ms. Bucci-Carter asked about the sewer connection fee and the applicant was aware of that condition.

Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer, was sworn and testified that drainage on the rooftop is not an issue, but that he had a concern about lightning conditions. Mr. Fleishman said everyone would be able to evacuate safely if needed and agreed to installing a lightening detector.

There was no public comment and the hearing was closed.

Following Board deliberation, during which the stipulations made included that the applicant would agree to replace the windows of the building next door and to review conditions in October, Mayor Knudsen made a motion to approve, Ms. Patire seconded, and all members voted yes.

Historic Preservation Commission: Sneaker Stop, 136 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Block 3704, Lot 1 – proposed sign – Board members reviewed the sign, which is already installed, and recommended approval.

Hopper Ridge Condominium Association, Inc., Block 4104, Lot 3 –- Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval for Major Preliminary and Final Site Plan, Soil Movement and variance approval – The resolution was adopted as drafted.

Garber Building, LLC, 2-4 Garber Square, Block 3801, Lot 3 – Adoption of Memorializing Resolution of Approval for Minor Site Plan approval – The resolution was adopted as drafted. The applicant will come back to the Board in regards to signage and outdoor furniture.

Adoption of Minutes:  The minutes from March 2, 2021, were approved.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.

                                                                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                      Jane Wondergem

                                                                                      Board Secretary

Date Approved:   April 6, 2021