20220208 - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

February 8, 2022

 

Opening:

 

The public meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:45 p.m.

 

Present:  Greg Brown, Matthew Bandelt, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Isaac Lebow, Jonathan Papietro, Jason Curreri and Harold Maxwell. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Esq., Board Attorney and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary.

 

Absent:  Michael Pickholz

 

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:

 

Mr. Brown announced that the Davis, 721 Newcomb Road, application was carried to March 8, 2022 without further notice.

 

Mr. Brown announced that the Outfront Media LLC, 500 Route 17 South, application was carried to March 22, 2022 without further notice.

 

Old Business:

 

JEFFREY & JOERETHA CABRANES - the construction of a second story addition, a one story addition and expansion of the existing deck which would result in a side yard setback of 8.45 feet and 7 feet where 10 feet is the minimum required; total aggregate side yards of 13.16 feet where 18.81 feet is the minimum required; front yard setback of 24.75 feet where 52.5 feet is the minimum required; coverage by above grade structures of 21.89% where 20% is the maximum permitted and coverage by above grade structure of 31.75%, within 140 feet of the front lot line, where 20% is the maximum permitted; gross building area of 31.5% where 32% is the maximum permitted and gross building area of 45.69%, within 140 feet of the front lot line, where 35% is the maximum permitted; and a driveway width of 20 feet, where 11.4 feet is the maximum permitted at 329 Stilwell Place, Block 4103, Lot 12, in an R-2 Zone. (Continued from January 11, 2022, without further notice)

 

Joeretha Cabranes, previously sworn, was present.

 

Amanda Sarhan, previously sworn, testified that they took the comments and concerns from the previous meeting and made revisions, including making the front porch an open porch.

 

Vincent Cioffi, architect, previously sworn, showed a 3-D rendering of the proposed addition showing the revisions made.

 

Board members had questions and concerns about the position of the garage and the width of the driveway. Board members asked about the pitch of the roof and there were still concerns about the massing of the proposed house.

 

The application was carried to March 8, 2022 without further notice.

 

New Business:

 

VISIONS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION – An application to install a sign which would result in a height of 36 inches, where 24 inches is permitted, and message height of 24 inches, where 16 inches is permitted at 179 East Ridgewood Avenue, Block 3702, Lot 9, in a B-1 Zone. Isaac Lebow recused himself from this hearing.

 

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

 

Pierre Gabucci was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Gabucci testified that a presentation was made to the Historic Preservation Commission who recommended approval of the sign being presented to the Board. The Commission had requested that the sign be put on a panel, as opposed to having individual letters, to reduce the amount of holes in the building.

 

Mr. Gabucci described the colors of the sign and the illumination. The sign will not protrude more than 6 inches from the building, as per Village Code.

 

Mr. Whitaker clarified the variances being requested. Board members asked about the width of the sign, compared with the height of the letters. Mr. Gabucci explained that the proportion of the letters does not change.

 

There were no questions or comments from the public.

 

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

 

Mr. Lebow returned to the meeting.

 

ERIC & TARA WONG – An application to install a generator which would result in a side yard setback of 3.18 feet where 10 feet is the minimum required at 304 Richards Road, Block 1106, Lot 2, in an R-1 Zone.

 

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

 

Thomas Stearns was sworn and his credentials as an engineer accepted. Mr. Stearns testified regarding the survey, which was updated to 2/8/22 to show the keystone wall and swing set as well as the proposed placement of the generator. Mr. Stearns described the location of the generator.

 

Board members asked if the generator would be screened. Mr. Rutherford said screening would be provided. Board members asked about other possible locations and Mr. Rutherford said the manufacturers specifications require a distance from the house and windows, making the proposed location the best choice.

 

There were no questions or comments from the public for the engineer.

Eric Wong, homeowner, was sworn. Mr. Wong testified regarding the need for the generator due to drainage issues and the constant running of the sump pump. Mr. Wong described the generator being used and the dimensions of the unit and the pad. Mr. Wong described the existing conditions at the proposed location for the generator. Mr. Wong said he would install screening in the form of a fence or landscaping and could do sound attenuation.

 

Board members asked about the noise, Mr. Wong did not know the decibel level, but it would only be used for emergencies. Board members asked about other locations. Mr. Wong explained why they would not work. There was discussion regarding the best screening. Board members suggested a solid 6’ fence.

 

There were no questions or comments from the public.

 

Following Board deliberation Mr. Bandelt made a motion to approve with the conditions discussed, Mr. Lebow seconded, and the application was approved.

 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

 

 

 

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

 

Date Approved: February 22, 2022