Board of Adjustment/Zoning Board

FORT LEE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT March 26, 2024 Present: H. Liapes, J. Nitti, H. Joh, L. Pacheco, J. Luppino, E. Hong, D. Sugarman Absent: D. Conway, S. Tropea Present: J. Mariniello, Jr., Esq., D. Juzmeski, Neglia Eng. Chairman Sugarman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The meeting was held remotely, by means of communications equipment. The meeting was conducted using the Zoom operating system. NOTICE OF MEETING: The Board Secretary states: Let the minutes reflect that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the following manner: All members of this Body have been advised in writing at least 48 hours prior to this meeting of the time, place, and proposed Agenda of this meeting. A written notice of the time, place, and proposed Agenda was posted on the bulletin board of Municipal Building, 309 Main Street, Fort Lee, New Jersey. On the same date, a copy of said written notice was mailed to the Record, Jersey Journal, Time Warner Cable and Fort Lee Online. A copy was filed with the Borough Clerk and, on the same date, copies were mailed to all persons who have requested copies of such notices and have prepaid the fee fixed for the year 2024. Chairman Sugarman stated Mr. Luppino and Ms. Hong will be voting members tonight. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Mr. Pacheco, seconded by Mr. Liapes and passed on a vote of 6-0 by members Liapes, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino, Hong and Sugarman to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 12, 2024. Memorializations Docket #16-22, 511 Main Property Corp., 511 Main Street, Block 4454, Lot 22, Extension of Time – Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan – 13 Unit Residential Building It was moved by Mr. Pacheco, seconded by Mr. Joh and passed on a vote of 6-0 by members Liapes, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino, Hong and Sugarman to grant the applicant Extension of Time approval. Acceptance/Completeness Docket #5-24, JZS Developers, LLC, 1539 Thirteenth Street, Block 3852, Lot 3, Two Unit Dwelling Page 2-ZBA Minutes-March 26, 2024 It was moved by Ms. Hong, seconded by Mr. Luppino and passed on a vote of 6-0 by members Liapes, Conway, Joh, Pacheco, Hong and Sugarman to deem the application complete. Mr. Liapes was recused from this application. Mr. Macri will call for a hearing date. Docket #6-24, 432 Central Blvd., LLC, 432 Central Boulevard, Block 1155, Lot 8, Two Unit Dwelling It was moved by Mr.Nitti, seconded by Mr. Liapes and passed on a vote of 7-0 by members Liapes, Nitti, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino, Hong and Sugarman to deem the application complete. Mr. Mr. Macri will call for a hearing date. Docket #7-24 Tremont Avenue, LLC, 1060 Anderson Avenue, Block 358, Lot 5, Two Unit Dwelling It was moved by Mr. Joh, seconded by Mr. Luppino and passed on a vote of 7-0 by members Liapes, Nitti, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino, Hong and Sugarman to deem the application complete. Mr. Macri will call for a hearing date. Public Hearing Docket #3-24, Ellery/West, LLC, 2169-2171 Edwin Avenue. 479-481 West Street, 2166-2176 Ellery Avenue, Block 5651, Lot 1, Minor Subdivision – Four Lots Mr. Macri stated we are here tonight seeking approval for a four lot subdivision. No structural changes are being made, just creating 4 lots. Steven Collazuol, Engineer, 1610 Center Avenue, Fort Lee was sworn in and his credentials accepted by Chairman Sugarman. Mr. Collazuol stated this is a larger corner lot, 38,000 square feet. The site is in the R5 District. Townhouses and two family homes are permitted. Sheet two shows the site survey. There is no planned construction. The configuration is shown on the screen. Variances are required for the two family homes. The zoning schedules were shown on the screen. There are no variances for parking. Phillips, Preiss and Boswell letters were received. The Phillips Preiss letter stated the staircase on lots 1.01 and 1.02 is for the 5 units. The owners of lot 1.01 are responsible for this. The Boswell letter received today refers to the 3 units on Edwin Avenue. There are minor encroachments, no license agreement is necessary. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the Board. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the public. David Spatz, Planner, 60 Friend Terrace, Harrington Park was sworn in and his credentials accepted by Chairman Sugarman. Page 3-ZBA Minutes-March 26, 2024 Exhibit A1-Photo Board of Site and Surrounding Area Top left-aerial view of the site Top right-looking at the two family home Bottom left-on Edwin, see driveway Bottom right-townhouse with the driveway Mr. Spatz stated we are in the R5 zone. There are D variances required. C variances are also needed for lot area, lot 1.02, and a lot width variance. Lot 1.03 needs a lot depth variance. Front yard, rear yard and lot coverage variances are also required. The uses are all permitted in the zone. No changes are proposed. There is no loss of parking. Easements will be provided. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the Board. Mr. Luppino asked if this is now one large lot? Mr. Spatz stated yes. Mr. Luppino asked why was it merged? Mr. Collazuol stated this was one site plan application in the past. Mr. Macri stated this is still owned by one common owner. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the public. Tighe Bernie, 2193A Ellery Avenue, Fort Lee stated this is North Ellery Avenue, not Ellery Avenue. Mr. Spatz stated yes. Mr. Berrnie asked if there is enough room to build another building? Mr. Spatz stated nothing is being changed, each structure is going to be on it’s own site. Mr. Bernie asked down the road can a townhouse be built on the site, or an additional home? Mr. Macri stated no. Mr. Bernie asked will this block West Street access with construction vehicles? Mr. Macri stated no new construction is being done. Page 4-ZBA Minutes-March 26, 2024 Chairman Sugarman asked if any member of the public would like to be sworn in and testify on the application? It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Luppino and passed on a vote of 7-0 by members Liapes, Nitti, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino, Hong and Sugarman to grant the applicant Minor Subdivision approval. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Pacheco to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Linda Garofalo Linda Garofalo Recording Secretary