Zoning Board of Adjustment

MINUTES BOROUGH OF MADISON ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Regular Meeting, Thursday, January 09, 2014 at 7:30 pm Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, N.J. 1. CALL TO ORDER BY THE CHAIRPERSON 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NOTICE (STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE) A regular meeting of the Borough of Madison Zoning Board of Adjustment was held on Thursday, January 09, 2014 at 7:30 pm in Room #140 of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, located at Kings Road, Madison, N.J. Joseph Santoro, opened the meeting. The Public Notice was read at the Organization Meeting and the Chairperson and Board went directly into the meeting. . 3. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL – Regular Meeting of December 12, 2013 and Special Meeting of December 16, 2013. 4. RESOLUTIONS FOR MEMORIALIZATION - The following Resolutions were distributed to and reviewed by all eligible Board members prior to this meeting. There was minor corrections made to the Haralampoudis and Stroker Resolutions. A voice vote of aye was heard from all eligible voting Board members in approval of the Resolutions. CASE NO. Z 13-050 Resolution granting variance application to Timothy & Caitlin Fitzsimmons, Block: 4101, Lot: 1, 254 Woodland Road to construct a 1 Story Addition, Detached 2 Car Garage, Bluestone Walkway, Modifications to the Existing Driveway and the Removal of Existing Driveway in an R-1 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Maximum Impervious Lot Coverage. CASE NO. Z 13-051 Resolution granting variance application to Gregory & Lauren Phalin, Block: 4702, Lot: 12, 5 Noe Avenue to construct a Rear Dormer Addition in an R-2 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Rear Yard Setback. CASE NO. Z 13-052 Resolution granting variance application to Wendy Hoyt, Block: 4004, Lot: 12, 14 East Lane to construct a (1) 2 Story Addition, (2) 2nd Story Additions, Roof over Existing Deck, Roof over Existing Front Porch, Expansion of Driveway and Condenser Unit in an R-2(Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Front yard Setback, Minimum Right Side Yard Setback, Minimum Left Side Yard Setback, Maximum Principle Building Coverage and Maximum Impervious Lot Coverage. CASE NO. Z 13-053 Resolution granting variance application to Ron Bartz, Block: 1110, Lot: 11, 60 Myrtle Avenue to construct a Deck in an R-3 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Maximum Impervious Coverage. ZBA Regular Meeting – 1-09-14 1 CASE NO. Z 13-054 Resolution granting variance application to Thomas Haralampoudis, Block: 3804, Lot: 2, 64 Pomeroy Road to construct a (2) 1 Story Additions, (1) 2nd Story Addition, (1) 2 ½ Story Addition, Front Covered Porch, Rear Yard Patio, and Expansion of Existing Driveway in an R-2(Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Front Yard Setback and Maximum Residential Driveway Width. There was several minor corrections made to this Resolution. CASE NO. Z 13-055 Resolution granting variance application to William Stroker, Block: 603, Lot: 16, 20 Hoyt Street to construct a 2nd Story Addition with Porch Overhang over Existing Garage in an R-3 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Front Yard Setback and Maximum Principal Building Coverage. There was on minor correction made to this Resolution. 5. OLD BUSINESS No Old Business 6. NEW BUSINESS: CASE NO. Z 13-048 James & Kathryn McGrath, Block: 1402, Lot: 1, 54 Park Avenue Applicants are seeking permission to construct a Fire Escape, Paver Patio and Reduction of Existing Gravel Driveway Area in an R-4 (Two-Family Residential Use) Zone requiring relief from Maximum Impervious Lot Coverage. THIS APPLICATION IS BEING CARRIED TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 13, 2014. CASE NO. Z -13-056 Jan Marks Block 3802, Lot 8 34 Prospect Street, Madison, NJ Mr. Jan Marks, applicant and Alan Andreas, Architect were sworn in and the following exhibits were marked: B – 1 12/10/13 Letter of Denial A – 1 Photo board – A – residence B – front C. front setback line D- house adjacent to property on Keep E – Keep Street residence F – sideyard setback directly down hill A – 2 A – sideyard setback B – photo of home opp corner C – D E and F – several houses moving up Prospect – all photos taken by Alan Andreas A – 3 Plans prepared by Alan Andreas, A1 thru A-4 Mr. Andreas began by describing the location of the property and the types of homes surrounding the property. The home was formerly a dentist’s office. The application ZBA Regular Meeting – 1-09-14 2 was brought before the TCC committee. Mr. Andreas explained that the area is comprised of other small businesses. He continued explaining who will reside in the home and stated two seniors, Mr. Marks’ parents in their in their eighties, would be utilizing the first floor. The existing building will be demolished and removed. Mr. Andreas then explained the variances which are being requested. He stated the front setback on this property is shorter than usual and the proposed home frontage reflects this shortage. The front setback is proposed for 24.03 feet and Mr. Andreas is attempting to keep the frontage aligned with the other homes on the street. He continued to discuss the reasons for the location of the home. The applicant is attempting to be sensitive to the neighboring homes along Keep Street. Mr. Andreas then pointed out the front elevation and two small side porches for entry to the home and explained the reasons for his design. He reviewed the impervious coverage and stated a drywell system will be installed capturing the water from the entire house. Landscaping will be installed along the driveway area on the Keep Street side. The Board questioned Mr. Andreas regarding the height of the building, and the lot size. Several Board members stated the size of the house is too big for the property. Mr. Andreas explained that he utilized several architectural elements to give the house a smaller look. Mr. Marks stated he is willing to screen the front of the home generously with shrubbery and trees. There being no further discussion and questions from the Board, the public was given the opportunity to question the applicant. Mary Sukowski, 2 Keep Street, was happy with the fact that the project is now residential and not commercial. She stated the design is beautiful. Her concern is the size of the house and the speeding cars on Prospect. She believes the property will cause further detriment to her exiting her property and her view from her front porch will change due to the large structure being proposed. Mr. Andreas explained the reasons for the driveway and turnaround. Barbara Frascati, 32 Prospect St, asked to see the elevation that she will be seeing from her home. She is concerned with the size of the proposed house and the proximity of the proposed home to her home and her loss of privacy. There being no further questions or comments from the public, the Board began their deliberation. The consensus of the Board was for the applicant to return with the changes that the Board members suggested at the next meeting held on February 13, 2014. ZBA Regular Meeting – 1-09-14 3 CASE NO. Z-13-057 Mark Pezzuto Block 4315, Lot 20 10 Douglas Avenue, Madison, NJ Applicant is seeking permission to construct a 2-1/2 Story Single Family Dwelling with an Attached Two (2) Car Garage, Open Front Porch, Front Walkway and Driveway in an R-3 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Front Yard Set Back – Prospect Street (Modified), Minimum Front Yard Setback – Keep Street (Modified), Minimum Rear Yard Setback, Maximum Principle Building Coverage, Maximum Impervious Lot Coverage. Mark Pezzuto, Kingsland Rd., Landing, New Jersey and Andrew Clarke, 37 Gerard Avenue, Chatham, Engineer were sworn in and the following exhibits were marked. B – 1 Letter of Denial dated 12/13/13 A – 1 Plans prepared by Andrew Clarke, Engineer Mr. Pezzuto began describing the variances he is seeking. He stated the largest issue is the front entrance and all of the front entrances the neighboring homes are similar. There is a proposed stairway to the second floor located inside the front entry and the bump out will allow space for the stairway. He believes the front will be aesthetically more pleasing to the eye. Most of the homes on the street have similar front yard setbacks. The second story addition will allow for the bedrooms to be located on the second level. Mr. Clarke then began by explaining that two of the variances are due to the lot being undersized. He stated the bump out is adding to the impervious coverage. He continued by stating the home is in need of an updating. Three bedrooms are proposed for the second level, and any increases are modest. The proposed height of the house is a little less than 30 feet. The leaders discharge at grade. The applicant believes the soils are permeable and will accommodate any water runoff. The footprint of the first floor will remain the same and some space will be lost for the proposed stairway. There being no further discussion and questions from the Board, the public was given the opportunity to question the applicant. Tom Molnar, 8 Douglas Avenue, asked what the applicant’s intentions are and the applicant stated he will be becoming a resident of Madison. Mr. Molnar asked if any changes will be made to the deck and the reply was there will be no changes made. He was concerned with the water coming directly down to his house. He also was concerned with construction activity which he believes will cause traffic issues. He wasn’t happy with the second story deck and the trees which are in the front along the street. Mr. Molnar read a statement to the Board which entailed requests that he believes are necessary to the application. ZBA Regular Meeting – 1-09-14 4 Mr. Pezzuto addressed Mr. Molnar’s issues, stating he is removing the trees which block the traffic view. He stated he would cut part of the driveway to stop the water runoff. Paul Brothers, 12 Douglas Avenue had issues concerning the height and the sideyard. He questioned the small deck from the bedroom on the second floor. The applicant stated this is a small deck from the bedroom and will not exit to the rear yard. There being no further comments from the public, the Board began their deliberation. The consensus of the Board was to approve the application as presented with the condition that the applicant consults with the Borough Engineer as to whether a drywell is needed. A motion to approve the application was made by Mr. Poeter and seconded by Mrs. Niculescu. A roll call vote was requested and recorded as follows: AYES: Mr. Blair, Mr. Santoro, Mrs. Driscoll, Mrs. DeRosa, Mrs. Niculescu, Mr. Poeter and Mr. Hess. 7. OTHER BUSINESS: A discussion took place as to what will be discussed with the Borough Planner at the next meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 with a motion made by Mrs. Driscoll and seconded by Mrs. Niculescu. Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Sola Recording Secretary ZBA Regular Meeting – 1-09-14 5