Zoning Board of Adjustment

MINUTES BOROUGH OF MADISON ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Special Meeting, Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7:30 pm Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey 1. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRPERSON 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NOTICE (STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE) A special meeting of the Borough of Madison Zoning Board of Adjustment was held on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 7:30 pm in Room #140 of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, located at Kings Road, Madison, NJ. Joseph Santoro, Chairperson opened the meeting and requested the reading of the public meeting notice as follows: “Let the minutes reflect that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the following manner: At its regular meeting held by the Borough of Madison Zoning Board of Adjustment on February 12, 2015, this special meeting was scheduled and the notice was posted at the bulletin board at the main entrance of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, was sent to the Madison Eagle and the Daily Record, and filed with the Borough Clerk, all in accordance with the “Open Public Meetings Act.” 3. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Mr. Blair, Mrs. Driscoll, Dr. Paetzell, Mrs. Karr, Mr. Kopas, Mr. Gertler and Mr. Johnson ALSO PRESENT: Gary Hall, Attorney for the Board, Frank Russo, Board Engineer, Susan Blickstein, Board Planning Consultant, and Frances Boardman, Board Secretary 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 5. NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. Z 15-004 St. Vincent Martyr Church Block: 2801, Lot: 8 26 Green Village Road A transcript of this hearing is being prepared by Rita Gardner, Veritext, 290 West Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Suite 3200, Livingston, NJ 07039. Mr. Steven Azzolini, Attorney for the applicant began by giving a brief background of the application. St. Vincent Martyr Church would like to expand ZBA SPECIAL MEETING 3-9-2015 Page 1 their school and sanctuary to provide an expanded sanctuary front and ADA compliant bathrooms, as well as add three classrooms to accommodate the 7th & 8th grades. There are no changes proposed for off street parking or vehicular access. Landscape improvements are proposed for each of the additions. There are numerous “c” variances for impervious coverage, signage and a continued parking variance, as well as a “d3” variance for the proposed front yard setback along Wilmer Street. Mr. Azzolini informed the Board members that a previous application had been submitted by St. Vincent’s in 2009 and had been withdrawn . Testimony this evening will be provided by Msgr. George Hundt, Sister Noreen Holly, William Hollows, Andrew Cheng, Nancy Dougherty, and Frances Chester. Mr. Robert Michaels, Planner is also available for questioning this evening. A witness list was handed out to all Board members. The following exhibits were marked: A-1: Site Plan Drawings 2-24-2015, 6 sheets, Murphy & Hollows Associates, sheet 1 of 6 B-1: Dr. Susan Blickstein memorandum, dated 2-18-2015 B-2: Omland Engineering, a Bowman Consulting Company, memorandum dated 2-19-2015 B-3: Madison Historic Preservation Commission letter dated 2-19-2015 B-4: Gary Hall, Esq, memorandum dated 1-20-2015 B-5: Madison Historic Preservation Commission letter dated 7-9-2014 B-6: Shade Tree Management Board memorandum dated 2-2-2015 B-7: Environmental Commission memorandum dated 1-15-2015 B-8: Traffic Safety Memorandum dated 1-19-2015 B-9: Madison Policy Department Memorandum dated 2-3-2015 Msgr. Hundt was sworn in to testify at this time. Msgr. was accepted as an expert witness. The current design and plan of the church were discussed among the parishioners as well as received the approval from the Diocese. The goals sought to accomplish include a place to meet and greet parishioners, better use of the space in the sanctuary and improve handicap accessibility. Msgr. stated that the number of masses has increased, along with the number of priests that serve the parish, however; the parishioner population has been stable. St. Vincent’s School reintroduced the 7th and 8th grade, which is already operating in classrooms outside of the school area. St. Vincent’s is creating a middle school component while enhancing the quality of education offered to its students. Mrs. Driscoll asked the Board if they had any questions for Msgr. Hundt, seeing none she asked the public if they had any questions of Msgr. Seeing none that portion of the hearing was closed. ZBA SPECIAL MEETING 3-9-2015 Page 2 Mr. William Hollows, Murphy & Hollows Associates, LLC, 192 Central Avenue, Sterling, NJ 07980 was sworn in and accepted as a professional witness. The following exhibits were marked: A-2: Sheet 2 of 6 Color Rendering prepared by Murphy & Hollows, dated 2-24- 2015 A-3: Sheet 3 of 6 prepared by Murphy Hollows, dated 2-24-2015 A-4: Sheet 4 of 6 prepared by Murphy Hollows, dated 2-24-2015 A-5: Sheet 5 of 6 prepared by Murphy Hollows, dated 2-24-2015 Mr. Hollows began his testimony by discussing the existing parking on site. He stated that at present 183 parking stall exist, along with 5 garage spaces. The proposed improvements within the 60’ front setback were discussed. The existing front yard setback is 26.4’ and the proposed is 34.9’. There are no bulk variances necessary for the school addition. The Church addition will expand the building foot print by 1,505 square feet along with related interior modifications. The school foot print will be expanded by 2, 975 square feet. Impervious coverage will be increased from 60.9% to 63.1%. The existing parking will remain at 188 spaces. The parking ratio was discussed for the school’s needs on a Monday through Friday basis and the church’s needs for Saturday and Sunday. Since the uses do not overlap during peak activity, the applicant feels that there is adequate parking on site. Mr. Russo’s memorandum was discussed. Drywells will be added to capture the runoff from the proposed additions. An Operation & Maintenance Manual will be provided. Mrs. Driscoll asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any questions for Mr. Hollows. Seeing none she than opened the floor to the public. Seeing none, this part of the hearing was closed. Mr. Andrew Cheng, Kearns Group Architects, 105 North Maple Avenue, Falls Church, VA, 22046, was sworn in and his background was given to the Board. Mr. Cheng is not licensed in New Jersey and not accepted as an expert witness, however; he could present this evening. The following exhibits were marked: A-6: Existing floor plan of St. Vincent Martyr Church, dated 3-3-2015 A-7: Proposed Floor Plan, dated 12-9-2013 A-8: North View, dated 9-15-2013 A-9: South View, dated 9-15-2013 Mr. Cheng began by reviewing the existing church building and the planned additions to the north and south vicinity of the church building. Mr. Cheng plans ZBA SPECIAL MEETING 3-9-2015 Page 3 showed the design and layout of the proposed additions which include moving the alter and sacristy, new pews, creating ADA bathrooms, improve grade at the new proposed north terrace along with new sidewalks, paving and stairs. The Madison Historic Preservation Commission expressed support for the design and character of the proposed additions to the church. Mrs. Driscoll asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any questions for Mr. Cheng. Seeing none she than opened the floor to the public. Seeing none, this part of the hearing was closed. Mr. Azzolini had Sister Noreen Holly, Principal of St. Vincent Martyr School sworn in. Sister Noreen was sworn in and gave her background to the Board. Sister Holly addressed the current and future goals of the school. She emphasized that the goal was to provide children with the best education. No additional staff will be required and enrollment will not exceed 500 students. There is adequate parking for teachers and staff. Pick Up and Drop Off procedures were discussed. Safety is a huge issue and the school is currently working with the Madison Police Department to improve the parking system that is currently in place. Currently the parking policy in place is working and the school and the parents seem to be satisfied with the procedure. Mrs. Driscoll asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any questions for Sister Holly. Seeing none she than opened the floor to the public. Seeing none, this part of the hearing was closed. A ten minute break was taken at 8:40pm. The Board resumed at 8:50pm with all members present. The next witness called to testify was Nancy Dougherty, Studio 1200 LLC, 511 Millburn Avenue, Short Hills, NJ 07078. Ms. Dougherty was sworn in and accepted as a professional witness. Ms. Dougherty discussed the school addition. The following exhibits were marked: A-10: Existing & Proposed Basement Diagram A-11: Existing & Proposed First Floor Diagram A-12: Existing & Proposed Second Floor Diagram A-13: Proposed West & North Elevations & Signage A-14: Color Rendering Ms. Dougherty gave a detailed description of the existing school building, and the proposed additions to the school. The new additions of classrooms will meet the goals of the school. The proposed signage was discussed. The signage will now include “The Academy” on the building. The Board inquired about the massing. Ms. Dougherty explained that various options were considered and the decision was made to compliment the Parish Center and School. ZBA SPECIAL MEETING 3-9-2015 Page 4 Mrs. Driscoll asked the Board if they had any further questions for Ms. Dougherty, seeing none she opened the floor to the public for questions. Seeing none that portion of the hearing was closed. Ms. Frances Chester, Chester Design, LLC., 43 Kings Road, Chatham, New Jersey was next to testify. Ms. Chester was sworn in, gave her background to the Board and accepted as an expert witness. Ms. Chester provided testimony regarding the landscape plans for both the Church and the School. The following exhibits were marked: A-15: Schematic Landscape Plan for St. Vincent Martyr Church A-16: Schematic Landscape Plan for St. Vincent Martyr School Ms. Chester testified that various trees and other plantings would be provided to buffer the additions of both buildings. If the HVAC unit which is currently screened is disturbed, upon completion of construction, new screening will be sited. It was determined that various options might be able to be explored with the Shade Tree Commission in relationship to the location and types of trees in front of the Church, as well as the addition of street trees along Wilmer Street. Mr. Gertler stated that you don’t want the trees to take away from the beautiful architecture of the Church. The applicant agreed to work with the Shade Tree Commission. Mrs. Driscoll asked the Board if they had any further questions for Ms. Chester, seeing none she opened the floor to the public for questions. Seeing none that portion of the hearing was closed. Mr. Azzolini stated that Mr. Robert Michaels, Professional Planner was next to testify. The Board and it’s Professionals were in agreement that variance relief that was required was limited and adequately explained by the previous witnesses. The public was given an opportunity to make comments at this time. Ms. Toni DeRosa, 9 Alexander Avenue, Madison stated that a lot of hard work was put into this project. It was carefully thought out and she is in total support of the application before the Board this evening. Frank McKenna, 48 Crescent Drive, Madison stated that the enhancement of the Church will enhance the community and town and allow for improved education. Jan Figenshue, 144 Green Avenue, Madison stated that she is proud to be a part of this project. The addition of classrooms will enhance the school and the Church being handicap accessible is a huge plus. ZBA SPECIAL MEETING 3-9-2015 Page 5 The Board began their deliberation. The consensus of the Board was to approve the application as presented with conditions as stated during hearing. Motion to approve the application with the conditions discussed was made by Mr. Blair and seconded by Mrs. Karr. AYES: Mr. Blair, Mrs. Driscoll, Dr. Paetzell, Mrs. Karr, Mr. Kopas, Mr. Gertler and Mr. Johnson 6. OLD BUSINESS – None 7. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 pm with motions made by Mrs. Driscoll and seconded by Mr. Blair. . Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Land Use Secretary ZBA SPECIAL MEETING 3-9-2015 Page 6