Zoning Board of Adjustment

1 MINUTES BOROUGH OF MADISON ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Regular (Zoom) Meeting, December 10, 2020 at 7:30 P.M., Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. 1. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRPERSON 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NOTICE (STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE) Let the minutes reflect that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the following manner: At the Reorganization Meeting of the Board held on January 9, 2020, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 10, 2020, a copy of the schedule of meetings 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. Beginning in April 2020, in response to public safety considerations and legal authorization, the Board of Adjustment began conducting its monthly meetings on the previously noticed dates remotely using the Zoom platform, and subsequently separate notices have been published each month advising of this change and indicating that the procedures and requirements for monitoring such meetings and for making public comment, along with an explanation of the audio muting function of the electronic communications platform being utilized, is provided with detailed information on “How to Use Zoom and Participate” found on the Rosenet Webpage Communications / Virtual Meetings at HTTP://www.rosenet.org/1273/Virtual-Meetings. 3. ROLL CALL PRESENT:, Mrs. Driscoll, Mr. Santoro, Mr. Fitzsimmons, Ms. Kaar, Mr. DiIonno, Mr. Foster, and Dr. Paetzell. EXCUSED: Mrs. DeRosa and Ms. Salko ALSO PRESENT: Gary Hall, ZBA Attorney Frances Boardman, Board Secretary 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 5. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL – Regular minutes of October 8, 2020 The above referenced minutes were distributed to all Board members for their review. A voice vote of aye was heard from all eligible voting Board members in approval of the minutes as presented. 6. RESOLUTIONS FOR MEMORIALIZATION – Distributed to all Board members for their review were the following resolutions. A voice vote of “Aye” was heard from all eligible voting Board members in approval of the Resolution. CASE NO Z 20-016 Peter & Sharon Streit Block: 909, Lot: 8 57 Knollwood Avenue Applicants are seeking permission to construct a 2nd Story Addition and Rear Deck in an R-3 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Side Yard Setback (Left). ZBA Regular Meeting 12-10-2020  2 CASE NO Z 20-019 David & Theresa Blackwell Block: 3702, Lot: 36 6 Washington Avenue Applicants are seeking permission to construct a 2nd Story (No Expansion of 1st Story Footprint, No Cantilever) in an R-2 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Rear Yard Setback, Maximum Principal Building Coverage and Maximum Impervious Lot Coverage. 7. SCHEDULING AND PROCEDURAL MATTERS – Madison Movie Development The application for the Madison Movie Development, LLC will be coming to the Board in January 2021. They will be asking for a special hearing on this matter and the Board was polled with three dates that could potentially be the date of the special hearing. Ms. Kaar and Mr. Foster will be excused from this matter. Mr. Santoro announced that Mrs. Toni DeRosa would be stepping down from the Board and will be acknowledged at the January 14, 2021 for her years of service to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mr. Dennis Harrington, Assistant Borough Engineer and Board Engineer was introduced. He will be taking on the role vacated by Mr. Frank Russo. 8. OLD BUSINESS – None 9. NEW BUSINESS - CASE NO. Z 20-020 Sandy Yeum & Joseph Kim Block: 4502, Lot: 9 65 Garfield Avenue Applicants are seeking permission to Remove and Existing Paver Patio and Walkway and Construct a Paver Patio with Seat Wall, Lower Level Deck, Concrete Pad for Hot Tub/Spa and the Expansion of Existing (Upper Level) Deck in an R- 1 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Maximum Impervious Coverage. Due to insufficient noticing this application will be placed on the January 14, 2021 Zoning Board agenda. CASE NO. Z 20-021 Caron & Damien Howick Block: 3001, Lot: 56 17 Academy Road Applicants are seeking permission for Removal of Existing Driveway, Detached Garage, Deck, Existing Roadway Curb Modifications, and “Possible” Tree Removal and to construct a 2 Story Addition with Front Loading 1 Car- Garage, 2nd Story Addition, Asphalt Driveway, Stone Terrace, Drywell and (2) Air Conditioning Units in an R-3 (Single-Family Residential) Zone requiring relief from Minimum Side Yard Setback (Left), Minimum Rear Yard Setback, Maximum Principal Building Coverage and Maximum Impervious Lot Coverage. Sworn in to testify this evening were Mr. & Mrs. Howick, and Christopher Pickell, Architect, the following exhibits were marked: B–1 Letter of Denial from the Deputy Zoning Official Daniel Buckelew, dated 09-10-2020 A–1 Survey, dated September 10, 2018 prepared by Swanson, Halsey & Associates, LLC A–2 Architectural Drawings prepared by Pickell Architecture, LLC, dated October 12, 2020, consisting of (3) pages Z-1 through Z-3. A - 3 Color Photo Array consisting of three sheets ZBA Regular Meeting 12-10-2020  3 Mrs. Howick provided a brief summary of the application and variances being sought. The Howick’s have taken on many home improvement projects since they purchased the home in 2018 and this addition will allow the family to stay in the home that they love. Mr. Pickell began his testimony, citing that the home constructed in 1920 and is very small by today’s standards. He stated that the proposed addition that the Howick’s are requesting will allow for an additional bedroom for their family of five. Mr. Pickell stated that the existing driveway and garage will be removed and a new driveway and front loading one-car garage will be constructed. The current home is 1,700 square feet and with the proposed additions on the first and second floors, the home will be approximately 3,183 square feet. These additions will allow for an additional bedroom and other features for a modern home. The proposed terrace at grade in the rear yard is 22” x 16” and is included in the impervious lot coverage numbers. A discussion took place on the elevations of the proposed additions. The two Air Conditioning units were discussed and the placement of these units. Mr. Pickell stated that the placement of the units could be found on plan sheet Z-1. Mr. Santoro stated that screening is necessary of these units according to Borough Ordinance. Mr. Pickell went over in detail the four variances that are being sought on this application. Mr. Hall inquired about the proposed drywell shown on the site plan in the front yard. Mr. Pickell stated that at the suggestion of Mr. Buckelew, Deputy Zoning Officer, the drywell be shown on the plans in case the Board sees fit to have one installed. Mr. Pickell stated that an Engineer would perfect the drywell design. Ms. Boardman reminded the applicant that a tree removal permit would be necessary if any trees were going to be removed. Mr. Santoro asked the Board if they had any further questions for Mr. Pickell. Mr. Fitzsimmons inquired about the depth of the garage. Mr. Pickell stated that the garage is 12x8x22 which is an adequate garage but not very generous. Mr. Foster asked if any other possibilities for placement of the garage were looked into. He is concerned with the massing of the project. Mr. Pickell stated that other options were looked at, however; keeping the garage at the current location near the kitchen was the best option for the family. Mr. Santoro asked if the Howick’s would be agreeable to providing some landscaping on the left side of the property near the proposed addition. The Howick’s stated that they were agreeable to this idea. It was recommended that a landscape plan be submitted providing detail on the plantings. Having no further questions from the Board the meeting was then opened to the public for questions. Jim & Amanda McNamara, 10 Carteret Court, Madison voiced concern over the rear setback variance stating that there are already water issues from Academy to Carteret. The stated that there is severe puddling of several inches in their yard after a rain event. Mr. Santoro suggested that the drywell be placed in the rear of the property to capture the entire roof area as well as the proposed stone terrace. The Howick’s and their architect should consult with the Borough Engineer regarding storm- water management. Seeing no further questions from the public, he closed that portion of the hearing. The McNamara’s were asked if they wished to make a statement regarding the application. Mr. McNamara asked that the Board consider the water issues as discussed when making their decision. ZBA Regular Meeting 12-10-2020  4 There being no further comments on the application Mr. Santoro asked the Board to deliberate. The consensus of the Board was to approve the application this evening with the added conditions as provided by Mr. Gary Hall. A motion to approve the application was made by Mrs. Driscoll, seconded by Ms. Kaar. A roll call vote was requested and recorded as follows: AYES: Mrs. Driscoll, Mr. Fitzsimmons, Ms. Kaar, Dr. Paetzell, Mr. Santoro, Mr. Di Ionno and Mr. Foster 10. OTHER BUSINESS – 11. ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm with a motion made by Ms. Kaar and seconded by Mrs. Driscoll Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary ZBA Regular Meeting 12-10-2020