20210223 - Zoning Board of Adjustment Minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

February 23, 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, Diana Ruhl, Jonathan Papietro, Matthew Bandelt, Daniel Perlman and Michael Pickholz. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Board Attorney; and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary. 

Absent:      Gary Negrycz, Isaac Lebow

Non-agenda items:

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

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

Resolution memorialization:          The following resolution was memorialized:

-       Delcalzo, 645 Doris Place

Public Hearings:

Chairman Alegre announced that the Nnaemeka and Moryka Anadu, 155 Highland Avenue, application was carried to March 23, 2021, without further notice, and the James Tripp, 33 Bryden Place, application was carried to March 9, 2021, without further notice.

New Business:

ANTHONY & EMILY DePASCALE – An application to permit the construction of side steps which will result in a side yard of 13 feet, where 15 feet is required, and aggregate side yards of 30.3 feet, where 34.5 feet is required; and for the construction of a one story addition which would result in total coverage by above grade structure of 22.4% where 20% is permitted; and for the construction of a second story addition which would result in gross building area of 30.2% where 29% is permitted at 566 Highland Avenue, Block 2809, Lot 4, in an R-110 Zone.  Ms. Ruhl recused herself from this application.

Anthony and Emily DePascale, homeowners, were sworn.

Roger Schlicht was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Schlicht testified as to the existing conditions on the property and the proposal to remove the existing patio and deck and construct a one story and second story addition and side steps. Mr. Schlicht described the setback variances being requested stating that the lot is undersized and irregularly shaped. Mr. Schlicht described the coverage by above grade structure variance as being minimal and due to the lot being 25% deficient in area.

Board members asked if there had been any prior variances granted on the property, due to the existing non-conformities. There was no prior Board action. Board members asked about the necessity of the large rooms. Mr. Schlicht stated that there needs to be a balance of adding the needed space and the aesthetics of the exterior. Board members asked if there were any other options looked at to eliminate variances. Mr. Schlicht stated that the existing coverage is over and the lot has hardships, anything they proposed will need variances.

There were no questions from the public.

Public comment: Dennis and Linda Tarzian, 576 Highland Avenue, were sworn and described the history of the property and supported the application.

Mr. Schlicht made closing comments and the hearing was closed.

Following Board deliberation, Mr. Papietro made a motion to deny the application, Mr. Pickholz seconded, and the application was denied with three yes votes and three votes against.

Ms. Ruhl rejoined the meeting.

JENNIFER DeANGELIS – An application to permit the installation of an in-ground pool and patio, which would result in a front yard setback to the patio of 28 feet, and to the pool of 37 feet, where any patio and pool shall be prohibited in the front yard, and shall be located from the front lot line a distance not less than 50 feet at 329 Cantrell Road, Block 2506, Lot 6, in an R-125 Zone.

Philip Karg, homeowner, was sworn.

David Egarian was sworn and his credentials as a licensed professional engineer accepted. Mr. Egarian testified as to the installation of and in ground pool and patio on an undersized corner lot. Mr. Egarian stated that this is the only place on the property that the pool could be situated. Mr. Egarian said the only variance being proposed is the front yard setback distance from Mountain Avenue as they had removed previously proposed impervious features to eliminate a coverage variance. Mr. Egarian stated that there is a substantive vegetation screen between Mountain Avenue and the yard which will make the pool barely visible from the street.

Board members asked about the distance between the pool and the garage, which is 7.5 feet. Board members asked that maintenance of the vegetation along Mountain Avenue be a condition of approval. Mr. Karg agreed to that condition. Mr. Whitaker asked if there were any structures proposed on the patio and the applicant said there were not.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

Mr. Egarian made closing comments and a summary and the hearing was closed.

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

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

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

Date Approved:       March 9, 2021