20190430 Zoning Board of Adjustment minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

April 30, 2019

Opening:

The regular public meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:42 p.m.

Present:       Sergio Alegre, Greg Brown, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Ines Bunza, Jonathan Papietro, Isaac Lebow and Matthew Bandelt. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Esq., Board Attorney and Yendi Anderson, substituting for Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary.

Absent:        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

New Business:

PATRICIA CECCHI – An application to permit the expansion of the first and second floors, construction of a new deck and stairs, new entry portico and new driveway and walkway, which will result in front yard setback on Gardner Avenue of 30.8 feet, where 50 feet is required; side yard setback of 12.8 feet, where 20 feet is required; rear yard setback of 38.7 feet, where 40 feet is required and gross building area of 5,320 square feet, where 5,000 square feet is permitted at 367 Mountain Avenue, Block 2706, Lot 1, in the R-125 Zone. David Rutherford, Esq., entered his appearance and made an opening statement describing the property and the variances being requested. Jordan Rosenberg was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Rosenberg testified as to the existing conditions and what is proposed according to his drawings revised to 1/25/19, marked as Exhibit A-1. Mr. Rosenberg explained the supplement to the drawings, sheet G.01, marked as Exhibit A-2. The site plan was marked as Exhibit A-3. Mr. Rosenberg testified regarding the undersized lot, the severe topographical conditions, the existing footprint, proposed deck, floor plan and elevations. Mr. Rosenberg showed photos of the subject property, marked as Exhibits A-4,5 and 6 and photos of other properties in the neighborhood, marked as Exhibits A-7 thru 13 and the tax map, marked as Exhibit A-14.

Board members had questions regarding the height of the addition, the driveway width and purpose of the circular driveway. Board members expressed concern with the volume of what is proposed.

The application was carried to May 28, 2019 without further notice.  

JOHN & JESSICA DePINTO – An application to permit the construction of a second story addition and covered porch which will result in a front yard setback on Berkshire road of 35.6 feet, where 40 feet is required; a front yard setback on Delaware Avenue of 30.63 feet, where 40 feet is required and a distance to the detached garage of 4.1 feet, where 12 feet is required at 419 Berkshire Road, Block 4504, Lot 23, in the R-2 Zone. Jessica DePinto, homeowner, was sworn and testified as to the existing conditions and stated that they propose to convert the style of the home from a Cape to a Colonial style. Jordan Rosenberg, architect, was sworn. Mr. Rosenberg testified as to the proposed changes and the variances being requested because of the deficient lot size. Board members had questions about the distance from the house to the garage and if it would make sense to connect them. Mr. Rosenberg stated that they had considered that but it would create more variances. There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation, Mr. Lebow made a motion to approve, Ms. Ruhl seconded, and all members voted yes to approve the application.

Chairman Alegre announced that the BARTLEY & CYNTHIA O’DWYER, 301 Hamilton Road, application was carried to May 28, 2019 without further notice.

ANGELA SIRIAC – An application to enclose a portion of the rear deck, extend the existing deck and construct a front entryway which will result in a front yard setback of 36.8 feet, where 44.4 feet is required and coverage by above-grade structures within 140 feet of the front lot line of 26.64%, where 20% is permitted at 322 E. Glen Avenue, Block 3202, Lot 3, in the R-2 Zone. Angela Siriac, homeowner, was sworn and testified as to what was proposed. Board members asked for additional information which Ms. Siriac could not provide. Board members notice a discrepancy in what was previously approved and what exists on the property. Ms. Siriac was told she needs revised plans with an architect’s seal. The hearing was carried to May 28, 2019 without further notice.

SAMUEL KAUSHANSKY & REBECCA FAVELYUKIS – An application to permit the construction of a mudroom addition and front porch expansion which will result in a front yard setback of 28.2 feet, where 40 feet is required; coverage by above-grade structures within 140 feet of the front lot line of 24.8%, where 20% is permitted and coverage by improvements within 140 feet of the front lot line of 53.6%/4,690 square feet, where 45%/3,937 square feet is permitted at 143 Kenilworth Road, Block 4203, Lot 16, in the R-2 Zone. Rebecca Favelyukis, homeowner, was sworn. Jordan Rosenberg, architect, was sworn. Mr. Rosenberg testified regarding the existing conditions and what is proposed including interior renovations. Mr. Rosenberg explained the variances being requested and the reduction in the coverage by improvements due to reducing the patio. Mr. Rosenberg displayed a photo board which was marked as Exhibit A-1 showing several homes on Kenilworth with wraparound and front porches.

Board members had questions regarding the justification for the variances. Mr. Rosenberg stated that the existing house is narrow and that the public benefit outweighs the detriment as the proposed porch is a significant upgrade.  There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation Mr. Negrycz made a motion to approve with the condition that the porch is never enclosed, Mr. Papietro seconded, and the application was approved with 6 yes votes to 1 no.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:22 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

Date Approved:       June 25, 2019