20180724 Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes

JULY 24, 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.

Isaac Lebow took the Oath of Office.

Present:       Sergio Alegre, Gary Negrycz, Greg Brown, Diana Ruhl, Alyssa Matthews, Ines Bunza, IJonathan Papietro and Isaac Lebow. Also present were Ben Cascio, Esq., covering for Bruce Whitaker, Esq. and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary. 

Absent:       

Approval of minutes:       The minutes from March 27, 2018 were approved.

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

Chairman Alegre announced that the 309 Westgate, LLC hearing was carried to August 28, 2018, without further notice.

New Business:

JAMES & GABRIELLA WILDAY – An application to permit the construction of a 2-story addition and a rear covered porch and a 1-story addition to the detached garage which will result in coverage by improvements 43.7%, where 40% is permitted; coverage by improvements within 175 feet of the front lot line of 45.9%, where 40% is permitted; gross building area of 25.5%/5,092 square feet, where 24%/5,000 square feet is permitted; gross building area within 175 feet of the front lot line of 29.1%/5,092 square feet, where 29%/4,620 square feet is permitted and a side yard setback of an accessory structure of .78 feet, where 5 feet is required at 219 Sunset Avenue, Block 1918, Lot 11, in the R-110 Zone. Ms. Ruhl recused herself from this hearing. Mr. and Mrs. Wilday, homeowners sere sworn, and Roger Schlicht was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Schlicht distributed a packet with photos and elevation drawings which was marked as Exhibit A-1. Mr. Schlicht testified regarding the existing conditions on the property and the drawings of what is being proposed. Mr. Schlicht made a correction to the notice, stating that a variance for gross building area is not needed. Mr. Schlicht and the applicant testified as to the hardship created by the existing location of the garage. Board members had questions regarding the gross building area and the existing vegetation. There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation Mr. Papietro made a motion to approve the application, Mr. Brown seconded, and all Board members voted yes.

Discussion: Ban, 317 Cantrell Rd. – One year extension of variance approval to July 11, 2019. Ms. Matthews made a motion to approve the one year extension of variance approval, Mr. Brown seconded the motion and all Board members voted yes.

There was Board discussion regarding having a couple Board members meet with Council members regarding the drive-thru Starbucks on Franklin Avenue. Chairman Alegre brought up the possibility of having a Council member be a liaison to the Board. Mr. Cascio said that would need to be researched, but that the Board Chairman could be sent to the Council with a report. There was further discussion regarding communication between the Board and the Council.

There was Board discussion regarding putting together a packet for Board members including definitions, zoning map and other materials.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:54 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

Date Approved:       December 11, 2018