Board of Adjustment/Zoning Board

FORT LEE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT April 8, 2025 Present: H. Liapes, H. Joh, L. Pacheco, J. Luppino, D. Sugarman Absent: D. Conway, J. Nitti, E. Hong, S. Tropea Present: J. Mariniello, Jr., Esq., D. Juzmeski, Neglia Eng. Chairman Sugarman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. NOTICE OF MEETING: The Chairman 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 2025. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Luppino and passed on a vote of 3-0 by members Liapes, Luppino, and Sugarman to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 25, 2025. Memorializations Docket #6-25, Armin Randocic, 1107 Harvard Place, Block 1151, Lot 15, Deck Addition to Single Family Home It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Luppino and passed on a vote of 3-0 by members Liapes, Luppino, and Sugarman to grant the applicant approval to construct a Deck Addition to a Single Family Home. Acceptance/Completeness Docket #13-25, Eye Level (Daekyo America Inc. d/b/a Eye Level), 1310 Palisade Avenue, Block 2054, Lot 14, Signage It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Joh and passed on a vote of 5-0 by members Liapes, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino and Sugarman to deem the application complete. Page 2-ZBA Minutes-April 8, 2025 Extension of Time Docket #26-23, Kyung-ah Shin, 1526 Eleventh Street, Block 3753, Lot 4, Extension of Time- Two Unit Dwelling It was moved by Mr. Joh, seconded by Mr. Liapes and passed on a vote of 5-0 by members Liapes, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino and Sugarman to grant the applicant Extension of Time approval for one year until April 15, 2026. Public Hearings Docket #21-24, FBE Properties, LLC, 1077 Abbott Boulevard, Block 455, Lot 18, Single Family Dwelling (continued from the public hearing of February 11, 2025) Mr. Macri stated the plans have been revised. Issues with the neighbor and their council have been agreed upon and will be documented. Mr. Anwar Alkhatib, Architect, Rochelle Park was sworn in and his credentials accepted by Chairman Sugarman. Mr. Alkhatib stated the plans are the same as the last meeting but are colorized. Exhibit A1-colorized plans We plan to demolish the existing house, garage and patio. The proposal is for a three story single family home. A new driveway and curb cut are proposed. We reduced the building substantially but have a variance for the deck. The maximum lot coverage, maximum impervious coverage and side yard variances have been eliminated. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the Board. Mr. Juzmeski asked if anything is outstanding in his report? Mr. Alkhatib stated we will comply with all items. Mr. Luppino asked about the stipulation agreement with the neighbor? Mr. Macri stated it includes no blasting, curb cut will remain, we will comply with the report dated February 5, 2025 from Neglia Engineering, there will be an inlet in the rear that goes to the seepage pit and the FAR has been reduced. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the public. Page 3-ZBA Minutes-April 8, 2025 David Spatz, Planner, 60 Friend Terrace, Harrington Park was sworn in and his credentials accepted by Chairman Sugarman. Exhibit A2 – Photo Board of Site and Surrounding Area Top left-subject property Top right-to the right, single family homes Bottom left-to the left, single family homes Bottom right-across the street The property is located in the R2 zone. A D variance is required for FAR, side yard, rear yard and driveway width variances. The property can support the increase in FAR. There is a conforming amount of parking on site. This is a single family home in a single family zone. The rear yard setback is met. The driveway width exceeds the maximum amount allowed. Two vehicles can park there and two in the garage. The variance is for the depth in the rear yard. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions form the Board. Mr. Juzmeski asked if the FAR is consistent with homes on your side of the street? Mr. Spatz stated yes, we are in line. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions form the public. Chairman Sugarman asked if any member from the public would like to come up, be sworn and testify on the application? It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Pacheco and passed on a vote of 5-0 by members Liapes, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino and Sugarman to grant the applicant approval to Construct a Single Family Dwelling Docket #2-25, Moore Builders, LLC, 193 Moore Street & 2453 Second Street, Block 7052, Lots 10 & 11, Minor Subdivision & Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan – Three Unit Dwelling & Two Unit Dwelling Chairman Sugarman stated this application is carried to the meeting of April 22, 2025. No further notice is necessary. Time is waived or the Board to act. Docket #4-25, Bella Luca Properties, LLC, 2036 Marguerite Street, Block 4452, Lot 2, Two Unit Dwelling Mr. Stephen Collazuol, Engineer, 1610 Center Avenue, Fort Lee was sworn in and his credentials accepted by Chairman Sugarman. Page 4-ZBA Minutes-April 8, 2025 Exhibit A1- colorized landscape plan Sheet #1 shows the site is 50’ x 100’. Sheet #7 topo is shown, 2 ½ story dwelling, detached garage, driveway, small tree in front yard. A duplex home is proposed with a single entrance. Decks are proposed in the rear. Sheet #3 – grading and utility plan – driveways are flat. Storm water is managed in the front and rear yards. Landscaping plan – A1- colorized, green shows the lawn area and plantings. The strip in the rear has steps and it will be adjusted for maintenance. One tree will be removed and one tree will be planted. Mr. Juzmesli asked if his report dated March 6, 2025 will be complied with? Mr. Collazuol stated yes. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the Board. Mr. Juzmeski stated he needs to see the AC units on the plan. Mr. Juzmeski stated OK. Mr. Mariniello asked about the drainage systems. Mr. Collazuol stated there are two systems for two inlets in the patio areas. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the public. Mr. Scott Murphy, Architect, 143 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood was sworn in and his credentials accepted by Chairman Sugarman. A duplex is proposed with a garage, family room, powder room and mechanical room on the first floor. The second floor has a master bedroom with ensuite bathroom and two additional bedrooms with a shared bathroom. The front has a slight projection. The AC units will be between the two decks. There is an open kitchen, living room, dining room in the rear and a powder room. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the Board. Mr. Juzmeski asked about the façade materials? Mr. Murphy stated the exterior will be hardy board siding and horizontal siding and vinyl siding Page 5-ZBA Minutes-April 8, 2025 in the rear. Residential lighting will be used with no glare lights. There are no exterior stairs. 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 Exhibit A2 – Photo Board of Site and Surrounding Area Top left- subject property Top right-to the right, 2 family homes Bottom left-to the left, single family homes Bottom right-across the street, 2 family under construction and more 2 family homes We are in the R3 zone, this permits 2 family homes. We need a D variance for FAR and minimum lot area per unit. C variances are required for side yards, height and distance between driveways. Marguerite Street is primarily developed with two family homes. We are only slightly over the FAR. The lot is undersized. The property can support the FAR. We meet front and rear yard setback, side yards are a little closer. The building height is 7 “ over what is permitted in the zone. We are consistent with the homes in the area. The parking is provided on the property. There is a conforming amount of parking on site. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the Board. Chairman Sugarman asked for questions from the public. It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Luppino and passed on a vote of 5-0 by members Liapes, Joh, Pacheco, Luppino and Sugarman to grant the applicant approval to Construct a Two Unit Dwelling. Docket #5-25, Mojibola Adeshuko, 250 Washington Avenue, Block 7054, Lot 1, Addition & Renovation to a Two Family Dwelling Chairman Sugarman stated this application will be heard at a later date. New notices will be sent out. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Mr. Liapes, seconded by Mr. Joh to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Linda Garofalo Linda Garofalo Recording Secretary