20220830 - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Meeting Minutes
August 30, 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, Michael Pickholz and Harold Maxwell. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Esq., Board Attorney; John Barree, Village Planner; Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary.
Absent: Isaac Lebow and Jason Curreri
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
The Warren, 408 S. Pleasant Avenue, application was carried to October 11, 2022 without further notice.
Old Business:
THERESA & RICHARD HORNBY - An application to permit the construction of an addition which would result in total coverage by above grade structures of 22.67%, where 20% is the maximum permitted; coverage by above grade structure within 140 feet of the front lot line of 22.07%, where 20% is the maximum permitted at 36 Richmond Avenue, Block 2307, Lot 2, in an R-2 Zone. (Continued from August 9, 2022 without further notice)
Ms. Hornby was present and previously sworn.
Jeffrey Gassick was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Gassick testified regarding the revisions made, explaining that the variance for coverage by improvements was eliminated and reductions were made in gross building area and in coverage by above-grade structures.
Mr. Whitaker confirmed the plan date and the reductions made on the zoning table.
There were no questions from the public.
Public comment: Sara Jimenez-Curtola, 33 Richmond Avenue, spoke in support of the application.
The hearing was closed. Following Board deliberation Mr. Bandelt made a motion to approve with the condition that the front porch would remain open, Ms. Ruhl seconded and the application was approved.
New Business:
ANTHONY & VANESSA DiTOMMASO – An application to permit a driveway width of 42.8 feet, where 25 feet is the maximum permitted at 246 Mountain Avenue, Block 2509, Lot 13.01, in an R-125 Zone.
Mr. Bandelt recused himself from this application.
James Delia, Esq., entered his appearance and made opening remarks. Mr. Delia said there is a new single family home on the property and they do not yet have a CO.
Sean McClellan was sworn and his credentials as an engineer accepted. Mr. Mr. McClellan testified in regards to the site plan and described the property and the improvements on the property. Mr. Mr. McClellan described the proposed driveway, stating that there would be landscaping in the open oval area.
Board members asked how wide the driveway was at the curb and Mr. Mr. McClellan said it was conforming at the curb. Board members asked if the applicant would be willing to push the width of the driveway back to minimize the mass of the driveway in the front.
The applicant left the meeting to discuss revisions.
Mr. Bandelt returned to the meeting.
KEITH & ERIN GABRIELLI – An application to permit the construction of a new front covered porch, rear covered porch and 2nd floor addition which would result in coverage by improvements over the whole lot of 40.5%, where 40% is permitted, and coverage by improvements within 140 feet of the front lot line of 44.6%, where 40% is permitted for the Property located at 558 Morningside Road Block 1313, Lot 19, in an R-1 Zone.
Roger Schlicht was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Keith and Erin Gabrielli, homeowners, were sworn.
Mr. Schlicht testified as to the existing conditions on the property and the survey. Mr. Schlicht testified regarding an aerial photo showing the property and the flag lot behind the property which has a driveway easement along the subject property. This driveway to get to the flag lot drives the need for the variance. Mr. Schlicht explained the photos and described the proposed improvements and identified the variances.
Mr. Whitaker asked for clarification regarding the easement and the size of the porch. Mr. Whitaker asked if the porch would remain open, the applicant agreed.
There were no questions or comments from the public.
The hearing was closed. Following Board deliberation Ms. Ruhl made a motion to approve, Mr. Pickholz seconded and the application was approved.
DiTommaso – Mr. Delia and the applicant returned to the meeting. Mr. Bandelt left the meeting.
Mr. Mr. McClellan drew on the revised site plan to show what the applicant agreed to regarding the driveway to move the oval 10 feet back and pull in the width of the driveway.
Mr. Delia said they would submit a landscaping plan as well.
The application was carried to September 13, 2022 without further notice.
Mr. Bandelt returned to the meeting.
ALESSANDRO & ALYSSA MOGAVERO – An application to permit the construction of a second story and two-story addition which would result in a front yard setback of 41 feet, where 45 feet is required; combined side yard setback of 26.66 feet, where 33.66 feet is required; coverage by above grade structures of 27.93%, where 20% is permitted; gross building area of 39.8%/4,111 sq. ft., where 34%/3,509 sq. ft. is permitted at 113 Circle Avenue, Block 4202, Lot 26, in an R-2 Zone.
John Veteri, Esq., entered his appearance and made opening remarks. Mr. Veteri said a presentation of what is proposed was reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission and they recommended approval of the application. Mr. Veteri acknowledged that there was an additional variance for front yard setback due to the width of Circle Avenue being less than 50 feet.
Frank Troia was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Troia testified regarding the photos of the existing conditions on the property. Mr. Troia testified as to the existing and proposed floor plan and elevations, stating that the side porch is to remain open.
Board members expressed concern over the gross building area variance being requested, commenting that the personal hardship discussed cannot be considered. Mr. Veteri commented that the Historic Preservation Commission saw the application as an improvement to the home.
The application was carried to October 11, 2022 without further notice.
Resolution memorialization: The following resolutions were memorialized:
- Lanzisera, 808 E. Ridgewood Avenue
- Aquino, 420 Van Dyke Street
- Goldberg, 320 Brookmere Court
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Minutes submitted by: Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary
Date Approved: September 13, 2022
- Hits: 583