Zoning Board of Adjustment

City of Trenton Zoning Board Public Hearing Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Via Microsoft Teams Members in Attendance: Jennifer Williams, Chair Trina McClendon, Vice Chair Carol Graff Mary Horne Brenda Turner Members Not in Attendance: Josue Colon Fred Costanzo David Valdes Public Hearing Ms. Williams called the Hearing to order at 7:05pm and a quorum was verified. Mr. McGill read the open public meetings act statement to inform the public that this meeting is in compliance with public law and regulations. Mr. Kolber stated that the City of Trenton is looking for Zoning Board members and indicated that applications can be sent to Ray Bucchi at City Hall. The following vote were set forth: Approve RESOLUTION 2021-10 for Highland Development Ventures LLC on New York Avenue to gain a Use Variance to build a self-storage facility with the amendment that the Applicant should reach out to the State to connect to the sewer line. Member Aye Nay Abstain Motioned Seconded Jennifer Williams X Trina McClendon X X Carol Graff X X Brenda Turner X Mary Horne X Item #1 Presentation: Trenton Land Development Ordinance The Division of Planning will present a draft of a new Land Development Ordinance for the City of Trenton. This draft Land Development Ordinance proposes to modernize the City’s zoning regulations and align them with the Trenton 250 Master Plan. The presentation will review the key features and structure of the draft Land Development Ordinance. There will be a review of the community engagement plan for the Land Development Ordinance. The public will have the opportunity to ask preliminary questions about the Land Development Ordinance. The Public Comment period is scheduled to end on November 1, 2021. Mr. Kolber and Mr. Wilkerson Arista Strungys of Cairos via screen share presented the updated recommendation for the Land Development Ordinance. She shared the goals for the update. She noted that they have modernized the Use Structure and the matrix that people use to figure out what can be done where. Uses that are emerging within the community to address needs that were previously not identified have been added. She reviewed the incorporation of greenspace/civic space into the ordinance. Parking minimums are not required but instead a transportation demand management plan would be incorporated into the development so that parking doesn’t drive the design of what is built. The Landmarks Commission reportedly has been excited to look at the draft and see what they might enhance. Non-conforming Use has also been further clarified in this update. Ms. Strungys encouraged people to go to www.Trenton250LDOUpate.com to keep pace with changes. She noted there is a comment form that can collect comments related to the update. Ms. Williams asked if there was any member of the public who had questions or comments. Mr. Frank Farris asked about the incorporation of Uber, Lyft, and food drop-offs like Door Dash and the impact it has on public right of ways and loading zones. Ms. Strungys indicated that they will go back and look at the impact of this issue although Zoning does not look at public right of ways, which those services use. Mr. Fred Stine of the Delaware River Preservation group that gets people to look at the downstream/upstream impact of development. He asked if stormwater management is taken into consideration in this update. He also asked how warehouses are being considered in this update. Ms. Strungys indicated that warehouses are their own distinct use; it’s not light industrial. They will continue to be contained to the Industrial Areas and not allowed to be incorporated into other areas of the City. CARRIED 21-Z-1600C 1600 Calhoun Street BL: 9304 L: 8-9-10-11 Business “B” Zone 140 Kirkbride Ave Block 9304 Lot 9 139 AFT W Paul Ave Block 9304 Lot 11 Appeal by Applicant /Owner Anthony Sessa 81 Tanglewood Drive Staten Island New York 10308-1853, to reintroduce an auto repair shop, with auto sales and storage of vehicles into a previous vacated building. Requesting  exception to Chapter 315-117 Permitted uses in the Business “B” Zone, 315-120 any/all Bulk Requirements and Parking if applicable under Chapter 315-100. The following vote were set forth: Adjourn 21-Z-1600C for 1600 Calhoun Street, 140 Kirkbridge Ave, and 139 AFT W Paul Ave until December 15, 2021 at 7pm on this platform Member Aye Nay Abstain Motioned Seconded Jennifer Williams X X Trina McClendon X Carol Graff X X Brenda Turner X Mary Horne X 21-Z-1218C 1218-1220 S Clinton Avenue BL: 19203 L: 12-13-14 Business “B” Zone Appeal by Applicant Eddy Diaz 1218 S Clinton Ave Trenton New Jersey on behalf of the owner Elvin Johnson of the same address to approve a previously constructed roof over an existing deck to utilize outdoor seating/dining at a pre-existing restaurant/bar. Requesting exception to Chapter 315-117 Permitted uses in the Business “B” Zone, 315- 120 any/all Bulk Requirements and Parking if applicable under Chapter 315-100. The following vote were set forth: Adjourn 21-Z-1218C for 1218-1220 S. Clinton Avenue until December 15, 2021 at 7pm on this platform Member Aye Nay Abstain Motioned Seconded Jennifer Williams X X Trina McClendon X X Carol Graff X Brenda Turner X Mary Horne X 21-Z-1552C 1552 S Clinton Avenue BL: 20208 L: 1-2 Residential “B” Zone Appeal by Project Manager Lencio Vazquez of JAG Resources on behalf of Owner/Applicant Jose Torres of 27 Wolf Drive Hamilton Township NJ 08610, proposes to expand the footprints of the pre-existing non-conforming use that had prior ZBA approval – First floor addition (1500 square feet) of the commercial retail grocery/deli with kitchen with a sub level basement and to construct a second level/floor that will fit out or add two residential apartments. Apartment #1 749 square feet and Apartment #2 751 Square feet. Requesting exception to Chapter 315-96 Use with any/all Bulk Requirements (315-99 thru 100 Parking) if applicable. The following vote were set forth:  Adjourn 21-Z-1552C for 1552 S. Clinton Avenue until November 17, 2021at 7pm on this platform Member Aye Nay Abstain Motioned Seconded Jennifer Williams X X Trina McClendon X Carol Graff X Brenda Turner X X Mary Horne X 21-Z-333CH 333 Chambers Street BL: 14208 L: 1-2 Residential “B” Zone Appeal by Project Manager Lencio Vazquez of JAG Resources on behalf of Owner/Applicant Camilo Villanueva of 717 Greenwood Ave Trenton New Jersey08609, utilize existing vacated office space for a multi-service company with an eight foot by six-foot light box sign and to change the use of an attached residential unit into a two-family dwelling unit. Requesting exception to Chapter 315-96 Use with any/all Bulk Requirements (315-99 thru 100 Parking) if applicable and Chapter 315-205 Signs in a Residential Area. The following vote were set forth: Adjourn 21-Z-333CH for 333 Chambers Street until November 17, 2021at 7pm on this platform Member Aye Nay Abstain Motioned Seconded Jennifer Williams X X Trina McClendon X Carol Graff X X Brenda Turner X Mary Horne X 21-Z-218HA 218 Hamilton Avenue BL: 13703 L: 15 Residential “B” Zone Greenwood Hamilton Historic District Appeal by Applicant Ateba Doughty 333 W State Street Trenton New Jersey 08610 on behalf of the Owner Tania Nevers, Millennial Group LLC. to convert a single-family dwelling unit into a two residential dwelling unit. Requesting exception to Chapter 315-96 Permitted Uses in the Residential “B” Zone any/all Bulk Requirements and Parking if applicable under Chapter 315-100. Mr. Ateba Doughty was sworn in and asked to have the variance changed from a single-family to a multi-family (tri-plex), as per its original use as a 2-family home. It has been abandoned for approximately 20 years. He described the current condition. He noted that all homes in the area are 3-family homes. The property is adjacent to the current property he purchased from the City and that will be renovated as well. He was before Landmarks and they are requiring him to repair the brickwork over the windows and maintain the current paint colors. His plan is to repair the structure to its original form. If they do not have to build a 3-family unit, there will not be a site study required,  which is financially more advantageous. Mr. Doughty indicated that they would consider adding lighting to the front of the building to add to the safety for the residents of this property. Mr. Kolber indicated that the City is in strong support of this application. Ms. Williams asked for public comment, and with no answer from the gallery, the following vote was set forth: Approve 21-Z-218HA Member Aye Nay Abstain Motioned Seconded Jennifer Williams X X Trina McClendon X X Carol Graff X Brenda Turner X Mary Horne X NEW 21-Z-717HA 717 Hamilton Avenue BL: 29801 L: 14 Residential “B” Zone Appeal by Project Manager Lencio Vazquez of JAG Resources on behalf of Owner/Applicant Jenny and Jose Vallejo of 717 Hamilton Avenue Trenton New Jersey 08629, Owner proposes to utilize vacant office space front first floor level as a multi-service (signage variance also requested), residential to remain. Requesting exception to Chapter 315-96 Use with any/all Bulk Requirements (315-99 thru 100 Parking) if applicable and Chapter 315-205 Signs in a Residential Area. The following vote were set forth: Adjourn 21-Z-717HA for 717 Hamilton Ave. until November 17, 2021at 7pm on this platform Member Aye Nay Abstain Motioned Seconded Jennifer Williams X X Trina McClendon X X Carol Graff X Brenda Turner X Mary Horne X Meeting Adjourned 8:38 pm Cherry Oakley, Zoning Board Secretary