20180227 Zoning Board of Adjustment

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

FEBRUARY 27, 2018

Opening:

The regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:40 p.m.

Present:       Sergio Alegre, Diana Ruhl, Greg Brown, Ines Bunza, Jonathan Papietro and Isaac Lebow. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Esq., Board Attorney and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary.

Absent:        Hans Lehmann, Gary Negrycz, Alyssa Matthews

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

Old Business:

Vice Chairman Alegre announced that 309 WESTGATE ASSOCIATES, LLC, was carried to March 27, 2018, without further notice.

JOSE PUELL – An application to permit the construction of an addition to the existing structure which will result in a front yard setback of 37.12 feet where 40 feet is required; coverage by above grade structures of 23.18%, where 20% is the maximum permitted, for the property located at 671 Newcomb Road, Block 4505, Lot 13, in the R-2 Zone. (Continued from January 23, 2018) Joshua Levine, Esq., and Brian Murphy, architect, who was previously sworn, were present with Mr. Puell. Mr. Murphy testified as to the plans, revised to February 11, 2018. Mr. Murphy described the revisions and the reduction made to the deck in the rear. Mr. Whitaker clarified the revised zoning table. Board members asked about reducing the addition or the front porch and Mr. Murphy stated that the space is needed in the house. Board members expressed concern about the mass of the house. There were no questions from the public.

Phyllis Goodman, 667 Newcomb Road, was previously sworn and commented that a bigger lot is needed for what is proposed.

Craig Zappa, 681 Newcomb Road, was sworn and stated that he was approved for a variance in the past and spoke in support of this application. Ms. Goodman asked Mr. Zappa about the size of his lot and where the addition was.

Mr. Levine asked for time to talk with his client.

New Business:

LOUIS GOLD – An application to permit the construction of a front entry which would result in a front yard setback of 30.5 feet where 40 feet is required at 511 North Monroe Street, Block 1603, Lot 14, in the R-2 Zone. William Severino was sworn and his credentials as a professional architect were accepted. Mr. Severino testified as to the plans, revised to 01/16/18. Mr. Whitaker clarified the setback to the porch and that the expansion does not exacerbate the existing non-conformity. Board members asked it there would be a new roof, and asked that it be stipulated that there would be no living space in the attic. There were no questions or comments from the public. Ms. Ruhl made a motion to approve, Mr. Lebow seconded, and all members voted yes.

JOSE PUELL – Mr. Levine said that the applicant will make further reductions to the plans and the hearing was carried to April 10, 2018, without further notice.

ROGER SCHNORRBUSCH – An application to permit the construction of a detached garage which will result in an accessory building in a front yard where it is not permitted; a front yard setback on Morningside Ave. of 32.4 feet, where 48.5 feet is required and a front yard setback on Jackson Terrace of 5 feet, where 40 feet is required at 430 Morningside Road, Block 1705, Lot 1, in the R-2 Zone. Ms. Ruhl recused herself from this hearing. Roger Schlicht was sworn and his credentials as a professional architect were accepted. Roger Schnorrbusch, property owner, was sworn. Mr. Schlicht distributed a photo packet which was marked as Exhibit A-1 and described the existing conditions on the irregularly shaped property. Mr. Schlicht stated that the existing garage, which extends into the public right-of-way, will be demolished and the nonconforming driveway width will be eliminated. Mr. Schlicht described the proposed garage and the variances being requested. Board members had questions about landscaping and curbing along the driveway. Mr. Schorrbusch stipulated that he would put foundation plantings along the garage wall. There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation, Mr. Papietro made a motion to approve, Ms. Bunza seconded, and the application was approved with four yes votes.

Resolution memorialization:      The following resolutions were memorialized:

-                  McKenna, 416 Colonial Road

-                  Hillman, 233 South Broad Street

Discussion:  The Board discussed a written request from Ray Sahin, 555 Emker Terrace, for a one year extension of variance approval, to April 19, 2019.. Ms. Bunza made a motion to approve, Mr. Lebow seconded, and the extension was approved.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m.

Minutes submitted by: Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

Date Approved:       June 26, 2018