20210427 - Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

April 27, 2021

 

Opening:

 

The virtual public meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:33 p.m.

 

Present:  Sergio Alegre, Greg Brown, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Isaac Brown, Jonathan Papietro, Matthew Bandelt, Daniel Perlman and Michael Pickholz. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Board Attorney; and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary. 

 

Approval of Minutes: The minutes from April 13, 2021 were adopted.

 

Resolution memorialization:  The following resolutions were memorialized:

• Konzelmann, 126 Sunset Avenue
• Silver Falls Company, LLC, 561 Cliff Street

 

Non-agenda items:

 

Members of the public comments: There were no comments at this time. 

 

Board member comments: Chairman Alegre mentioned that there had been public comment at a recent Council meeting regarding fence height for residential uses.

 

Public Hearings:

 

Chairman Alegre announced that the Tripp, 33 Bryden Place, application would need to re-notice. Chairman Alegre announced that the Katzevich, 244 Ackerman Road, application was carried to May 25, 2021, without further notice.

 

New Business:

 

ANDREA RACKOW & RICHARD CATANZARO – An application to permit the construction of an attic dormer addition, which would result in a front yard setback on Shelton Road of less than 40 feet, where 40 feet is required at 640 Shelton Road, Block 3308, Lot 6, in the R-2 Zone. Andrea Rackow, homeowner, was sworn.

 

Anthony Addesso was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Addesso testified as to the existing conditions on the property and described the corner lot as undersized. Mr. Addesso explained that the existing structure has a nonconforming front yard setback facing Shelton Road and Walthery Avenue. The proposed dormer will not exacerbate the nonconformity.

 

Board members asked if they could move the dormer 2.5 feet to comply. Mr. Addesso said the room would be unusable and not centered. Board members asked why the space was being added in the attic. Mr. Addesso said it was more practical than expanding the foot print or adding height. Board members asked if all the area in the attic which has a height of 7 feet or more was counted in the gross building area. Mr. Addesso said he only counted the livable space.

 

There were no questions or comments from the public.

 

Mr. Addesso made some closing comments.

 

Following Board deliberation, Mr. Negrycz made a motion to approve with the condition that the additional attic space is calculated into the gross building area and a revised zoning chart be submitted. Mr. Lebow seconded, and the application was approved.

 

Mr. Whitaker left the meeting and Ben Cascio, Esq., substituted as Board attorney for the remainder of the meeting.

 

ADAM BROWN – An application to convert the home into a two-story home which would result in a rear yard setback of 25.50 feet, where 30 feet is required at 386 Berkshire Road, Block 4505, Lot 36, in the R-2 Zone. (Carried from April 13, 2021 without further notice) Chairman Alegre, Mr. Lebow, Mr. Perlman and Mr. Pickholz recused themselves from this hearing.

 

David Rutherford, Esq., entered his appearance and made opening remarks.

 

Edwin Sherman was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Sherman described the property and the existing conditions on the lot. Mr. Sherman explained that an add-a-level was being proposed with a cantilever on the front. Mr. Sherman explained that a portion of the home already encroaches in the front yard, but they will not exacerbate the encroachment. The existing covered patio has been removed and a new open porch is proposed. Mr. Sherman reviewed the coverage calculations, stating that there are no coverage variances being requested. The attic will not be finished and will have pull down stairs. The existing footprint of the home will not change. Mr. Sherman said the shape of the lot is the hardship.

 

Board members asked about the abutting property. Mr. Rutherford explained that the property to the rear has a deep lot which is wooded and the proposed improvements would not have an impact on that property.

 

There were no questions or comments from the public.

 

Mr. Rutherford made closing remarks.

 

Following Board deliberation, Mr. Bandelt made a motion to approve, Mr. Negrycz seconded, and the application was approved.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

 

Date Approved: May 25, 2021