20171128 - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

NOVEMBER 28, 2017

 Opening:

The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Present:      Sergio Alegre, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Alyssa Matthews, Greg Brown and Jonathan Papietro. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Esq., Board Attorney; Brigette Bogart, Village Planner and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary.

Absent:        Hans Lehmann, Ines Bunza and Isaac Lebow

Non-agenda items:

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

          Members of the public comments: Boyd Loving, 342 South Irving Street, stated that he attended an OPRA forum recently at which one of the topics discussed was the availability of information provided in an application to the Zoning Board and Planning Board. Mr. Loving said that when he asked for information, through an OPRA request, regarding an application before the Zoning Board he was told he could not see the plans or take photos. Mr. Boyd also asked what the options were if you were unable to attend a meeting to ask questions or make comments regarding a specific application. Mr. Whitaker responded to Mr. Loving regarding what records must be available for an OPRA request and what the exceptions are. Mr. Whitaker said that an applicant does not need to consent to an adjournment to accommodate the public and Board members cannot consider correspondence or a statement in lieu of a personal appearance.

Public hearings

David Rutherford, Esq., asked for an adjournment of Serendipity Labs, 45 North Broad Street. The hearing was carried to January 9, 2018, without further notice.

New Business:

RICHARD PURINGTON & ANN DICKINSON – An application to permit the construction of an addition which will result in a front yard setback of 31 feet, where 50 feet is the minimum required at 151 Grant Street, Block 2502, Lot 6, in an R-125 Zone. (Carried from October 10, 2017) David Rutherford, Esq., entered his appearance. Mr. Rutherford made opening remarks, described the property and introduced the witnesses. Robert Weissman, Engineer, was sworn and his credentials as a professional engineer accepted. The Existing Conditions Survey, dated 2/10/2017 was prepared by Mr. Weissman and marked as Exhibit A-1. Mr. Weissman testified regarding the proposed changes shown on the Variance Plan, dated 11/7/2016 and revised to 8/1/2017, marked as Exhibit A-2. Mr. Weissman testified regarding the Footprint Diagram, which was marked as Exhibit A-10, explaining the setbacks and variances. Board members had questions about the location of the proposed garage. Mr. Weissman stated that it was the best place on the property for the garage.

Mark Braithwaite was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect were accepted. Mr. Braithwaite testified regarding the architectural drawings, explaining the existing conditions and the uniqueness of the property. Mr. Braithwaite stated that the placement of the garage was to achieve optimum functionality. Mr. Braithwaite displayed a photo board exhibit, marked as Exhibit A-11, showing the garage. Mr. Braithwaite testified as to the existing and proposed floor plans. Board members had further questions about the location and size of the garage and the hardship. The hearing was carried to January 9, 2018 without further notice.

PRASAD/SRIVASTAVA – An application to permit landscape improvements, including a new patio and roofed patio, and other features, as well as an addition to a freestanding garage, which will result in coverage by above-grade structures of 22.18% within 140 feet of the front lot line, where 20% is permitted; coverage by improvements of 50.2% of the lot area, where 40% is permitted; coverage by improvements of 54.8% within 140 feet of the front lot line, where 40% is permitted at 140 North Maple Avenue, Block 2012, Lot 5, in the R-1 Zone. (Carried from November 14, 2017) Alok Prasad and Anita Srivastava, homeowners, were sworn. Mr. Prasad made an opening statement. Frank Hall was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect were accepted. Mr. Hall testified regarding the existing conditions and what was being proposed. Mr. Hall displayed a photo board, marked as Exhibit A-1, showing the existing landscaping and explained what was proposed as well as the variances being requested. Board members had questions regarding the existing nonconformities and how it came to be. The Board members suggested that there is still a lot of impervious coverage. Mr. Whitaker suggested that the applicant file an OPRA request to inquire as to how the property got so developed. The hearing was carried to January 23, 2018 without further notice.

LICITRA/DOUGLASS – An application to permit the construction of a covered porch which will result in a front yard setback of 21'-2" where 40' is required at 584 Cliff Street, Block 1509, Lot 4, in the R-2 Zone. (Carried from November 14, 2017) Joseph Bruno was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect were accepted. Mr. Bruno distributed a photo packet, marked as Exhibit A-1, which was to show that what is being proposed is consistent with the neighborhood. Mr. Bruno testified as to the existing conditions and what is being proposed as per his drawings. Board members asked if the porch would ever be enclosed and Mr. Bruno said it would not. There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation, Ms. Matthews made a motion to approve the plans with the condition that the porch would not be enclosed, Ms. Ruhl seconded and the application was approved.

JEREMY KLEIMANN – An application to permit the razing and replacement of a 2.5 story addition, the construction of a one-story mudroom addition and a rear-yard patio, which will result in coverage by above-grade structures within 140 feet of the front lot line of 22.69%, where 20% is the maximum permitted at 224 S. Van Dien Avenue, Block 4015, Lot 7, in the R-2 Zone. Mr. Papietro recused himself from this hearing. Nino Coviello, Esq., entered his appearance and made an opening statement. Xiomara Paredes was sworn and her credentials as a licensed architect were accepted. Ms. Paredes distributed aerial photos which were marked as Exhibits A-1 and A-2; a map showing home values of the area, marked as Exhibit A-3 and a photo of the home as it exists, marked as Exhibit A-4. Ms. Paredes described the existing conditions and testified as to the proposed improvements as shown in the architectural drawings. Board members asked for clarification of the numbers and overage. There were no questions or comments from the public. Mr. Coviello made closing comments. Following Board deliberation Mr. Brown made a motion to approve the plans as presented, Ms. Matthews seconded and the application was approved with four members voting in favor and one member voting against.

Resolution memorialization:      The following resolution was memorialized:

-        CONIFF/DOMBACH – 215 Kenilworth Road

Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Minutes submitted by: Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

Date Approved:       April 10, 2018