Zoning Board of Adjustment March 12, 2019 Minutes

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

Meeting Minutes

MARCH 12, 2019

Opening:

The special public meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:40 p.m.

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

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

Chairman Alegre announced the following:

-        The Hogan, 82 John Street, application was carried to April 9, 2019 without further notice.

-        The Burroughs Poole LLC, 33-381 Route 17 South, application was carried to April 9, 2019 without further notice.

-        The Calkins, 80 Crest Road, application was carried to March 26, 2019, without further notice.

Old Business:

JASON & SARAH HARINSTEIN – An application to permit the construction of a pool and patio which will result in coverage by improvements of 41.85%, and coverage by improvements within 140 feet of the front lot line of 41.24%, where 40% is permitted for both at 310 Heights Road, Block 1907, Lot 16, in the R-1 Zone. (Continued from February 11, 2019) David Rutherford, Esq. was present on behalf of the applicant. Thomas Skrable, Eng., was previously sworn and testified regarding the revisions and reductions as shown on the revised site plan, marked as Exhibit A-3. Board members asked if the applicant had looked into using permeable material. Mr. Skrable said they would use it for the patio by the garage. There was some concern regarding the chlorinated water and Mr. Rutherford said that a salt water pool was proposed. Mr. Cerame clarified the coverage numbers. Board members asked about the trees and landscaping. Mr. Rutherford said that a landscape plan would be submitted. There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation, Ms. Ruhl made a motion to approve with the condition that permeable material is used for the patio, Ms. Bunza seconded, and all members voted yes to approve the application.

DEVEN & SURBHI SHAH – An application to permit the construction of a rear one-story and two-story addition, front covered portico and steps, rear landing and steps, rear patio and driveway widening which will result in coverage by above-grade structures of 21.5%, where 20% is permitted and a driveway width of 21 feet, where 12 feet is permitted at 215 Emmett Place, Block 3308, Lot 24, in the R-2 Zone. (Continued from February 11, 2019)  Mr. Brown recused himself from this hearing. Deven Shah, homeowner, and Roger Schlicht, architect, were both previously sworn. Mr. Schlicht testified regarding the revised drawings and described the revisions, reductions and the variances being requested. Board members had questions regarding the garage and the driveway width. Mr. Cerame asked for clarification of the variances being requested. There were no questions or comments from the public. Following Board deliberation, Mr. Alegre made a motion to approve the application as presented in the revised plans, Ms. Matthews seconded, and the application was approved with six yes votes to one no vote.

New Business:

TERENCE ROBINSON & WILLIAM HALL – An application to renovate and update the interior and exterior of the existing detached carriage house/garage and to renovate, update and expand the second floor guest suite of the carriage house, which will result in a use variance for an apartment over the garage and the expansion or alteration of a nonconforming structure or use at 151 West End Avenue, Block 2511, Lot 1, in the R-110 Zone. (Carried from February 26, 2019) Steven Ross, Esq., entered his appearance on behalf of the applicants. Richard Brovarone, Esq., entered his appearance on behalf of Marcia Ringel, an opposing neighbor. There was discussion regarding proof of nonconformity.

Terence Robinson, homeowner, was sworn and testified as to the existing conditions of the property and importance of the garage apartment. Mr. Robinson testified that the garage had gas and electric utilities and has a kitchen and bathroom and is currently being used as a home office. Mr. Robinson testified that he had spoken with the previous owners and researched the history of the use of the apartment.

Frank Hall was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted. Mr. Hall began to testify as to the drawings he prepared.

Following Board discussion the hearing was carried to April 23, 2019 without further notice.

Chairman Alegre announced that the Lai, 643 Wall Street, application is carried to March 26, 2019 without further notice.

MARTIN & LAUREN DUNLEAVY – An application to permit the construction of second floor and two-story addition which will result in a front yard setback of 29.83 feet, where 40 feet is required at 572 Hillcrest Road, Block 1503, Lot 9, in the R-1 Zone. David Rutherford, Esq., entered his appearance on behalf of the applicants and made introductory comments as to the variance being sought and the c(1)(a) and c(1)(c) hardships. Albert Zaccone was sworn and his credentials as a licensed architect accepted.  Mr. Zaccone testified regarding the drawings he prepared, marked as Exhibit A-1; the survey, marked as Exhibit A-2 and the photo board, marked as Exhibit A-3. Board members questioned the survey as it did not have setback dimensions marked on it. Mr. Zaccone stated that he asked Robert Weissman, the surveyor, for an AutoCAD file which had the dimensions and setbacks. Mr. Zaccone continued his testimony regarding the existing and proposed floor plans. Mr. Zaccone used the photo board to compare what was being proposed on the subject property to what exists in the surrounding neighborhood. Board members had questions about the existing sunroom. There were no questions or comments from the public. Mr. Rutherford made closing comments. Following Board deliberation, Mr. Negrycz made a motion to approve the application as presented, Mr. Papietro seconded and all members voted yes to approve.

Resolution memorialization:      The following resolutions were memorialized:

-        Holder, 22 Maynard Court

Meeting was adjourned at 10:17 p.m.

Minutes submitted by:  Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary

Date Approved:       April 9, 2019