20190211 Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

FEBRUARY 11, 2019

Opening:

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

Present:       Sergio Alegre, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Alyssa Matthews, Ines Bunza, Jonathan Papietro and Matthew Bandelt. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Esq., Board Attorney and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary.

Absent:        Greg Brown, Isaac Lebow

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of January 8, 2019 and January 22, 2019 were adopted as presented.

Non-agenda items:

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

        Members of the public comments: Arthur Maroney, 390 Heights Road, commented on having zoning regulations changed to have some restrictions on changing ground level and constructing a 2½ story accessory structure.

Public hearings

Old Business:

ROBIN OELKERS – An application to permit the construction of a one story addition which will result in coverage by above-grade structures of 27.9%, where 25% is permitted and gross building area of 37.9%/2,258 square feet, where 35%/2,083 square feet is permitted at 42 Ethelbert Place, Block 2209, Lot 5, in the R-3 Zone. (Continued from January 8, 2019 without further notice) Rocco Orlando, architect, was previously sworn. Mr. Orlando testified regarding the revisions made, stating that the side yard setback variance was eliminated. Mr. Orlando explained in detail the other reductions made to reduce lot coverage. Board members had questions about the coverage and concerns that the overage was still too much. Board members pointed out discrepancies in the calculations on the drawings and the survey. The hearing was carried to February 26, 2019 without further notice.

New Business:

JASON & SARAH HARINSTEIN – An application to permit the construction of a pool and patio which will result in coverage by improvements of 44.19%, and coverage by improvements within 140 feet of the front lot line of 43.02%, where 40% is permitted for both at 310 Heights Road, Block 1907, Lot 16, in the R-1 Zone. (Carried from January 22, 2019 without further notice) David Rutherford, Esq., entered his appearance and made opening remarks. Thomas Skrable was sworn and his credentials as a professional engineer accepted. Mr. Skrable testified as to the as-built survey and described the existing conditions on the property. Mr. Skrable testified regarding the site plan, which was marked as Exhibit A-1, describing the proposed pool and patio and the challenges of the property.  Mr. Skrable testified regarding a photo board display, marked as Exhibit A-2. Board members asked about the drainage system, and Mr. Skrable explained the proposed stormwater management. Board members had concerns about the significant overage in impervious coverage, including the patio and the driveway. The hearing was carried to March 12, 2019, without further notice.

TODD & HEATHER HOLDER – An application to permit a 2 ½ story addition which will result in a side yard setback of 14.99 feet, where 19.14 feet is required at 22 Maynard Court, Block 2403, Lot 4, in the R-1 Zone. Ms. Matthews recused herself from this hearing. Todd Holder, homeowner, was sworn and made some opening remarks describing the existing conditions of the dwelling and property.  Enrico Migliorelli was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Migliorelli testified as to the drawings, what was proposed and the side yard setback variance being requested. Board members had questions regarding the attic space and if it was included in the gross building area calculations. Mr. Migliorelli said the attic space was not included, but that he would revise the zoning table to include the correct calculations. The hearing was carried to February 26, 2019, without further notice.

ENRIQUE GOMEZ-DUESO & APRIL GELNAW – An application to permit the construction of one and two story additions which will result in a front yard setback to Wyndemere Avenue of 13.5 feet, where 40 feet is required and gross building area within 140 feet of the front lot line of 35.1%/2,960 square feet, where 35%/2,862.8 square feet is permitted at 85 Pershing Avenue, Block 3505, Lot 29, in the R-2 Zone. David Rutherford, Esq., entered his appearance and made opening remarks. Frank Hall was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Hall testified regarding the existing conditions and his drawings, which were marked as Exhibit A-1 (Sheet T-001), Exhibit A-2 (Sheet A-101) and Exhibit A-3 (Sheet A-201). Mr. Hall described the existing floor plan and what was being proposed. A photo board was displayed and marked as Exhibit A-4. Mr. Hall testified regarding the street diagram and photos of the subject property and homes in the area. Board members had questions about the landscaping, existing and proposed. Board members had concerns about the extra driveway and the applicant stipulated that bushes would be planted along the driveway. There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation Mr. Papietro made a motion to approve, Ms. Matthews seconded, and the application was approved. A landscape plan is to be submitted to the Site Plan Committee for approval.

DEVEN & SURBHI SHAH – An application to permit the construction of a rear one-story addition, front covered portico and steps, rear landing and steps, rear patio and driveway widening which will result in coverage by above-grade structures of 23.8%, where 20% is permitted and a driveway width of 21 feet, where 12 feet is permitted at 215 Emmett Place, Block 3308, Lot 24, in the R-2 Zone. Deven Shah, homeowner, was sworn. Roger Schlicht was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Schlicht testified regarding the existing conditions on the property and the hardship due to the substandard lot size. Mr. Schlicht described the proposed improvements. Board members had concerns about the driveway. Mr. Schlicht explained that no variance was being asked for improvement coverage. Board members were concerned about the size of the addition. The hearing was carried to March 12, 2019 without further notice.

Resolution memorialization:      The following resolutions were memorialized:

-        Bryan Kozlowski, 159 Hampton Place

-        ASK Property Group, LLC, 484 Berkshire Road

Discussion:  McKenna, 416 Colonial Road – Request for extension of variance approval. Following discussion, Mr. Negrycz made a motion to approve, Ms. Matthews seconded, and all members voted yes to extending the variance approval to February 27, 2020.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

Date Approved:       February 26, 2019