MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

 ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES

April 2, 2009

Chair Peter Bolo called the meeting to order and announced:  Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act by adoption of the annual notice on January 8, 2009.  Said resolution was mailed to The Citizen and The Daily Record, filed with the Borough Clerk and posted on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall on January 12, 2009 and made available to all those requesting individual notice and paying the required fee.

ROLL CALL:

Present:  Bolo, Cohen, Kane, Sheasby, Rusak, Max, Dietz, Abate                    Absent:  Richter

Also Present:  Attorney Michael Sullivan and Council Liaison Doug McWilliams

REVIEW OF MINUTES:  The amended minutes of the February 5 meeting were approved by voice vote.

Cindy Shaw was appointed to fill the position of Administrative Assistant and Secretary to the Board by Mark Cohen, seconded by Arthur Max and approved by voice vote.

MEMORIALIZING RESOLUTIONS:

                  CHERYL MARIER                             Appl. #09-550

Pia Abate made the motion to adopt the resolution of approval, seconded by Pat Rusak and approved by 4-0 roll call of eligible voters.

PUBLIC HEARINGS: All applicants and professionals were sworn in by Chair Bolo.

ROBERT & DEBRA DEWING           33 Arden Road

Bl. 25, Lot 5                                         Appl. #09-551

Front yard                                            RAA zone

Robert & Debra Dewing described their proposal to replace the front door and add an awning over the stoop.  The adjacent house on the right is set back approximately 15 feet farther, but the house on the left has the same setback as their house (64.7’).  The proposed setback is greater than the minimum required 40 foot setback but less than the average setback exception of 70.25’.  The requested front setback of 58.2’  is measured to the roof.  Dewing presented Exhibits A1 – A7, photographs of neighboring houses.  The proposed steps will be replaced because they currently do not have a foundation.  The overhang will extend over the platform, not over the steps.

Dewing testified that he did the measurements of the front setbacks of neighbors on Arden Road.  The overhang will be 8 ½ feet wide and will extend 6 ½’’.  The stairs will extend another four feet.  Because the stairs are more than 6 feet wide, they must be considered in the setback calculation.  Both the step and overhang distance will be reflected in the resolution.  Debra Dewing testified that the architect is not registered in the State of New Jersey, so the plans will be submitted to the Construction Department by the applicant. 

The Dewings said that the front door and area have wood rot and they want the entrance to be covered.  The current steps have a high rise and are not considered safe.

Board comments:  Mary Dietz suggested that the maximum projection could be 8’ rather than 10’ since the door is set in 12”.  She feels that this proposal would project frontward more than the neighbors’.  She asked that the Dewings alter their request.

Dewing asked to keep the dimensions requested.

Mark Cohen made the motion to accept the application as submitted, seconded by Pat Rusak and approved by 7-0 roll call vote.

The approval allows the overhang to extend 6.5’ and the steps another 4’.  They will submit a revised form for the setback to the steps, which would be 54.2 feet to the steps. 

Carried to May 7:

                        ROBERT L. KLINGENBURG            123 Lake Drive

                        Bl. 101, Lot 48                         Appl. #09-549

                        Interpretation                                        RA zone

Attorney Sullivan said Klingenburg is going to apply to the Planning Board for a subdivision.  In the meantime, they are carrying this interpretation application until the Planning Board  application is completed.  Sullivan said he has no problem with that procedure.  Mary Dietz moved to continue to carry the application, Pat Rusak seconded, motion approved by voice vote.

Other Matters / Public Comment:

Peter Bolo read a Resolution of Appreciation for retiring Board Administrative Officer, Marge Jackson.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

                                                                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Marge Jackson, Secretary