Zoning Board of Adjustment

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT Meeting Minutes JANUARY 23, 2024 Opening: The public meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood was called to order at 7:37 p.m. REORGANIZATION: Jonathan Papietro, Jason Curreri, Jamie Fox and Yelena Raytser took the Oath of Office. Present: Greg Brown, Matthew Bandlet, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Jonathan Papietro, Jason Curreri, Jamie Fox and Yelena Raytser were present. Board Attorney: Bruce Whitaker/McDonnell & Whitaker LLC Chairman: Greg Brown Vice Chairman: Matthew Bandelt Chairman Pro Tem: Gary Negrycz Board Secretary: Jane Wondergem Board Professionals: Chris Rutishauser, Village Engineer; John Barree and McKinley Mertz/Heyer, Gruel & Associates, Village Planners Site Plan Committee: Gary Negrycz, Jonathan Papietro, Diana Ruhl The By-Laws of the Zoning Board were discussed. A motion was passed to add language to the By-Laws to state that each member of the public shall not occupy more than 5 minutes without approval of the Chairman or of the Board members. The Resolution of Adoption in the Matter of Compliance with the Requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act was approved. The schedule of meetings for the year January 23, 2024 through December 31, 2024 were approved. The Reorganization meeting was closed. Present: Greg Brown, Matthew Bandlet, Gary Negrycz, Diana Ruhl, Jonathan Papietro, Jason Curreri, Jamie Fox and Yelena Raytser were present. Also present were Bruce Whitaker, Esq., Board Attorney; John Barree, Village Planner; Christopher Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Brian Intindola, Traffic Expert, and Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary Minutes: The minutes from November 14, 2023 and November 28, 2023 were adopted. Non-agenda items: Board member comments Members of the public comments 1 Public hearings Old Business: LES DANN, LLC – An application for preliminary and final major site plan approval, expansion of a nonconforming use variance approval, and use variance approval for the construction of an auto body shop, which will serve as the principal use at 246-264 South Broad Street, Block 3905, Lots 12, 13 and 14, in an R-3 Zone. (Continued from October 24, 2023) Mark Semeraro, Esq., was present on behalf of the applicant. Robert Inglima, Jr., Esq., was present on behalf of the objector, Religious Society of Friends, Ridgewood Friends Meeting, Friends Nursery School. Mr. Semeraro recalled Michael Daniel, property owner, who was sworn in. Mr. Daniel testified that he bought the property in 2021. Mr. Semeraro submitted a copy of the Municipal approval certificate for the business license, which was signed by Heather Mailander, Village Clerk and Village Manager at the time. Mr. Inglima asked if any Board of Adjustment officials receive the document. Mr. Semeraro stated that the document acknowledged that the auto body shop was a legal non-conforming use. Mr. Inglima asked if the applicant is currently conducting auto repair on the property and if he applied for the necessary permits. Mr. Daniel said he did. There were no questions from the public for Mr. Daniel. Steven Lydon was sworn and his credentials as a professional planner accepted. Mr. Lydon testified regarding several exhibits which showed that the property was identified as a B-2 zone in 1965, 1970 and 1975 and the use at those times was autobody repair. Mr. Lydon submitted the legal ads for zoning ordinances which included the subject property. Mr. Lydon showed zoning maps identifying the subject lots as being in the B-2 Zone. Mr. Lydon showed Ordinance 1949, which was when the subject lots were rezoned to R-3 in 1984 and was included in the master plan reexamination of 1963. Mr. Semeraro stated that from 1965 through 1984 the use had been permitted. Mr. Lydon showed a Zoning Board resolution from 1987 when Mr. Montick applied for a spray paint booth, which would have been an expansion of the non-conforming use at the time. Mr. Lydon showed several Ridgewood Fire Department reports from the 1940s through 1980s which were for Ridgewood Vehicle or Ridgewood Autobody. The hearing was carried to March 26, 2024 without further notice. Resolution memorialization: The following resolutions were memorialized: - Reynoso, 976 Andover Terrace - Lynch, 282 West End Avenue 2 The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Jane Wondergem, Board Secretary Date Approved: February 13, 2024 3