Board of Adjustment

Tenafly Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting 7:30 P.M. September 13, 2021 Minutes Roll Call Present: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Friedman, Mr. Kominsky, Mr. Steinhagen, Ms. Toro Also present: Mr. Capizzi, Ms. Chalarca, Mr. Hubschman, Mr. Gaitman, Mr. Lazarus, Mr. Mederos, Ms. Pantale, Mr. Skrable, Mr. Saphs, Mr. Menon, Mr. Zenn Absent: Mr. Brensilber, Mr. Cho, Mr. Cytryn, Mr. Lieberman Open Public Meeting Act Statement Approval of Minutes- August 2, 2021 A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Mr. Steinhagen to approve the minutes of August 2, 2021. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Correspondence: None Approved Resolution: 1- Marino, 30 Dean Drive– Generator A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Mr. Callahan to the approve resolution for 30 Dean Drive. Mr. Steinhagen abstained from voting due to not reviewing resolution. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Friedman, Ms. Toro, Mr. Komin- sky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 3-0. Approved Denial Resolution: 2- Shazo, 27 Chestnut St – Two family home A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Mr. Callahan to approve the denial reso- lution for 27 Chestnut Street. Mr. Steinhagen abstained from voting due to not reviewing resolu- tion. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Friedman, Ms. Toro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 3-0. New Business: 1. Gorshein, 341 Engle Street - Construct an addition in the rear yard Attorney Mr. Matthew Capizzi was present with Mr. Raul Mederos, architect, on behalf of the applicant for 341 Engle Street. The application is requesting to construct an addition in the rear yard. Mr. Capizzi and Mr. Mederos presented the application to the board. Mr. Mederos explained the sloping concerns on the property resulting in a disadvantage and the need for a raised deck and railing. Mr. Mederos explained the planning from the inside stating the application is proposing to fix the concerns in the home. A motion was made by Mr. Steinhagen and seconded by Mr. Friedman to go into executive ses- sion. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Executive Session: Gorshein– 341 Engle Street Mr. Steinhagen stated given the topography and undersized nature of the lot, there is a hardship. Mr. Steinhagen stated he does not think it is a big ask and is in support of the application. A motion was made by Mr. Steinhagen and seconded by Mr. Friedman to approve the applica- tion. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Friedman, Mr. Steinhagen, Ms. Toro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 5-0. 2. Selver, 235 Churchill Road - Install a patio Attorney Mr. Matthew Capizzi was present with Mr. Tom Skrable, engineer, on behalf of the applicant for 235 Churchill Road. The application is requesting to install a patio. Mr. Skrable presented the plan and explained it is an existing single-family home with a pool currently on sight and under construction. Mr. Skrable explained the application is to remove the old patio and install a new one which will connect the pool to the dwelling. Mr. Skrable stated the property is well landscaped and will remain as such. In response to questions from the board, Mr. Capizzi clarified the application is only for the new patio as they were able to install a pool that conformed with the town due to removing old patio. It was confirmed the drainage of the pool is sufficient to prevent run off in future inclement weather. A member of the public, Steven Gaitman, neighbor to the applicant stated he was concerned about run off as his property would be affected but confirmed the drainage was sufficient. A member of the public, Joseph Saphs, stated he is in support of the applicant. A motion was made by Mr. Callahan and seconded by Mr. Friedman to go into executive ses- sion. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Executive Session: Selver- 235 Churchill Road Mr. Callahan stated it cannot be proven water on a property came from someone’s pool. Mr. Cal- lahan stated in general most pools have concrete around them due to risk of people slipping on grass. Mr. Callahan stated the application is reasonable and not a big ask. Mr. Friedman noted the pool has been approved. Mr. Friedman noted it is about how big of a pa- tio is needed. Mr. Kominsky and Mr. Steinhagen explained their concerns. Ms. Toro stated she is in support of the application as she believes the application is not a big ask and the neighbors testimonies helped. A motion was made by Mr. Callahan and seconded by Ms. Toro to approve the application. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Steinhagen, Ms. To- ro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: Mr. Friedman. The motion was passed 4-1. 3. Somberg, 144 Buckingham Road - Construct a covered patio Attorney Mr. Matthew Capizzi was present with engineer/planner, Mr. Hubschman and architect, Ms. Pantale, on behalf of the applicant for 144 Buckingham Road. The application is requesting to construct a covered patio. Mr. Capizzi stated the application is requesting to extend the existing rear patio and cover a por- tion with a roof. Mr. Hubschman presented the plan to the board. Mr. Hubschman confirmed the property can ac- commodate what is being requested and the FAR. Mr. Hubschman stated the FAR is to regulate bulk and size of a dwelling which for Tenafly includes roofed areas. Mr. Hubschman confirmed there will be no impact on the neighbors. Ms. Pantale presented the architectural plan. Ms. Pantale stated the materials are different from the home but will remain within the same color scheme. Mr. Capizzi stated they would like the board to continue with the vote recognizing there is a lim- ited number of board members present. A motion was made by Mr. Steinhagen and seconded by Mr. Friedman to go into executive ses- sion. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Executive Session: Somberg – 144 Buckingham Road Mr. Steinhagen stated the applicant is improving the property and not impacting others. Mr. Kominsky stated he also acknowledges the hardship. A motion was made by Mr. Steinhagen and seconded by Mr. Friedman to approve the applica- tion. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Friedman, Mr. Steinhagen , Ms. Toro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 5-0.  4. Bae, 139 Stonehurst Drive - Construct a covered patio Attorney Mr. Matthew Capizzi was present with architect Mr. Steven Lazarus, on behalf of the applicant for 139 Stonehurst Drive. The application is requesting to replace the roofing over the existing patio; two variances needed building coverage and FAR relative to roofing. Mr. Lazarus presented the plan to the board. Mr. Lazarus stated the family spends time on the patio due to only grass surrounding the pool and a roof will allow them to spend more time out- side even during inclement weather such as rain. Mr. Capizzi stated they would like the board to continue with the vote recognizing there is a lim- ited number of board members present. A motion was made by Mr. Steinhagen and seconded by Mr. Friedman to go into executive ses- sion. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Executive Session: Bae – 139 Stonehurst Drive Mr. Friedman and Mr. Steinhagen stated they are in support of the application. A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Ms. Toro to approve the application. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Kominsky, Mr. Steinhagen, Ms. Toro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 5-0. Additional Comments Mr. Kominsky announced that the board meetings would return to virtual beginning with the Oc- tober calendar meeting on October 4th, 2021. It was confirmed that the Ranawat application would be carried to the October 4th, 2021 meet- ing. Adjournment A motion was made by Mr. Callahan and seconded by Mr. Steinhagen to adjourn the meeting at 9:37pm. A voice vote carried the motion. All were in favor; none were opposed. Respectfully submitted, Monica Chalarca Board Secretary