Board of Adjustment

Tenafly Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting 7:30 P.M. October 4, 2021 Minutes Roll Call Present: Mr. Brensilber, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Cho, Mr. Cytryn, Mr. Friedman, Mr. Kominsky, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Toro Absent: Mr. Steinhagen Also present: Mr. Blake, Mr. Briguglio, Mr. and Mrs. Brambani, Mr. Capizzi, Ms. Chalarca, Mr. Duffy, Mr. Ehrlich, Mr. and Mrs. Kurth, Mr. Lazarus, Mr. Levi, Mr. Madaio, Mr. McClellan, Mr. Mederos, Ms. Mercado, Mr. Menon, Mr. Ostavall, Mr. Steinberg, Mr. Zenn Open Public Meeting Act Statement Communications Mr. Kominsky confirmed copies of engineer plans for 248 Devon Road were mailed. Approval of Minutes- September 13, 2021 A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Mr. Cytryn to approve the minutes of September 13, 2021. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Mr. Kominsky requested that Ms. Chalarca review the previous meeting transcripts to confirm if the application for 141 Piermont Road was discussed. Approved Resolution: 1- Gorshein, 341 Engle Street A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Ms. Toro to approve the resolution for 341 Engle Street. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Friedman, Ms. Toro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 4-0. 2- Selver, 235 Churchill Road A motion was made by Ms. Toro and seconded by Mr. Callahan to approve the resolution for 235 Churchill Road. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Ms. Toro, Mr.Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 3-0.  3. Bae, 139 Stonehurst Drive A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Ms. Toro to approve the resolution for 139 Stonehurst Drive. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Friedman, Ms. Toro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 4-0. 4. Somberg, 144 Buckingham Road - Construct a covered patio A motion was made by Mr. Friedman and seconded by Ms. Toro to approve the resolution for 144 Buckingham Road. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Callahan, Mr. Friedman, Ms. Toro, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: No one. The motion was passed 4-0. Old Business: 1. Ranawat - 248 Devon Road Mr. Zenn reviewed the eligible board members in regard to the Ranawat application. Mr. Madaio expressed his concerns regarding proceeding with the vote with only five board members present. Mr. Zenn agreed to reach out to Mr. Madaio if more eligible members joined the meeting at a later time. The application for 248 Devon Road has been postponed until the November 1st, 2021 board meeting due to the number of board members present who are eligible to vote. New Business: 1. Levi c/o 154 E. Clinton LLC- 68 Ridge Road - Construct a single family home and retaining wall Attorney Mr. Matthew Capizzi was present with Mr. Sean McClellan, civil engineer, on behalf of the applicant for 68 Ridge Road. The application is requesting to construct a single family home and retaining wall. Mr. Cho recused himself from the application for 68 Ridgewood Road. Mr. Capizzi and Mr. McClellan presented the application to the board. Mr. McClellan stated the proposed house will be smaller than the existing house, decreasing the size of the foot print. Mr. McClellan stated the size of the driveway will be decreased. Mr. McClellan stated a retaining wall is being proposed and is the other variance being sought. In response to questions to members of the board, Mr. McClellan stated landscaping can be implemented to mask the wall from the neighbors. Mr. McClellan stated the wall will be retaining the driveway. Mr. Ehrlich, a neighbor to the property, asked about the drainage and the retaining wall. Mr. McClellan explained there will be screening of the wall. Mr. Steinburg, a neighbor to the property, asked about the drainage. Mr. McClellan explained there will be grass that will absorb the water, the two walls and the pool will assist. Members of the board discussed the need to have the board engineer, Mr. David Hals, to review the application before continuing. A motion was made by Mr. Lieberman and seconded by Mr. Cytryn to carry the application to the following month following engineer, Mr. David Halls’ review. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Additional Comments: Mr. Zenn confirmed that the application for Skulnik (44 Old Smith Road) would not be heard tonight and will be carried to the following meeting on November 1, 2021. 2. Brambani c/o K&B Home Solutions, LLC - 18 Standish Court - Enlarge garage, add master bedroom and bathroom General contractor, Mr. William Briguglio, was present with owner Mr. Brambani, in regard to the application for 18 Standish Court. The application is requesting to enlarge the garage, and install a bedroom above which would be the future master bedroom. Mr. Briguglio and Mr. Brambani presented the application to the board. Mr. Briguglio confirmed the plan will not be passing the timber plant. In response to questions from the board, Mr. Briguglio stated the interior will be done at a later time but the exterior would be constructed now. Mr. Briguglio stated there is not enough space to open the doors of the SUV parked in the garage at this time. Mr. and Mrs. Kurth, neighbors of the property, inquired about the need to expand the garage and the need for the addition to be closer to their property. A motion was made by Mr. Cytryn and seconded by Mr. Friedman to go into executive session. A voice vote carried the motion. All voted in favor; none were opposed. Executive Session: Brambani c/o K&B Home Solutions, LLC - 18 Standish Court Mr. Cytryn stated the variance makes sense as smaller garages are impractical and stated the neighbors concerns are legitimate. Mr. Friedman and Mr. Callahan expressed their concerns regarding the encroachment of the addition on the neighbors property. Mr. Cho stated he does not see why the garage would need to be enlarged if the garage is the appropriate size. Mr. Kominsky stated he generally supports the application despite concerns for the addition. A motion was made by Mr. Cytryn and seconded by Mr. Kominsky to approve the application. The roll was called, and the motion was carried. Voting YES: Mr. Cytryn, Mr. Kominsky. Voting NO: Mr. Brensilber, Mr. Callahan, Mr. Friedman, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Cho. The motion was denied. Adjournment A motion was made by Mr. Cho and seconded by Mr. Friedman to adjourn the meeting at 9:29pm. A voice vote carried the motion. All were in favor; none were opposed. Respectfully submitted, Monica Chalarca Board Secretary