MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF
Vice-Chairman Chris Richter called the meeting to order and read the Open Public Meeting Advertisement Notice: Notice of this meeting was given to the Citizen and the Daily Record, posted with the Borough Clerk and on the Bulletin Board and was made available to all those requesting individual notice and paying the required fee.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Richter, Kane, Moody, Sheasby, Bolo, Sullivan, Rusak, Max
Absent: Gotthelf Also Present: Attorney Michael Sullivan
REVIEW OF MINUTES: The minutes of the February 2 meeting were approved by voice vote.
MEMORIALIZING RESOLUTIONS:
RICHARD J. TKACH Appl. #06-476
David Kane made the motion to approve the resolution of denial, seconded by Jim Moody and carried by 6-0 roll call of eligible voters.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Vice-Chair Chris Richter announced that no new applications
would begin after
Carried from Feb. 2
THOMAS &
NICOLE RENNA 132
Bl. 102, Lot 68 Appl. #06-475
FAR, ILC RA zone
Nicole Renna chose to proceed
with six eligible members after being informed that the FAR variance would
require a minimum of five affirmative votes.
Sheet A1, revised
David Kane pointed out that the sheet from Richard Hudson did not match the calculations provided by the architect Jeffry McEntee. Richter reviewed the variances requested: FAR, ILC.
Richter asked if there were any
comments from the audience. Fred Kantor,
Two officers came in to remove
Mr. Kantor. The Board and members of the
audience pleaded with Kantor to be reasonable, noting that there were six
applications on the agenda and he would have the right to speak during agenda
item #6. Kantor stated that as soon as
he has the floor, he may continue until he relinquishes it. Kantor suggested that Richter sit down
because he was uncomfortable with him being that close. Richter called a 10 minute recess. The meeting reconvened at
Richter asked if there was any public comment on the Renna application: none expressed.
Board comment: David Kane asked for confirmation that Renna would be willing to reduce the coverage request to achieve the 38.54%. Kane moved that the application be approved with a condition of approval to remove the excess square footage of the patio. Renna agreed.
The motion was seconded by Jim Moody and approved by 6-0 roll call vote.
New applications:
ELISE COLLINS 204 Boulevard
Bl. 80, Lot 24.01 Appl. #06-474
Front, side RA zone
Collins currently lives in
Officer Ough said that Mr. Kantor had been arrested and would not be allowed back to the meeting.
The Collins hearing
continued. The house to the left is set
back 47.7 feet, to the right is 65.1’, resulting in an average of 49.9’. When questioned why the garage width couldn’t
be reduced,
From the public: Joe Bednar, 208 Boulevard, was concerned
about the extension which would be visible and block their view of the
Boulevard.
Board comments: Jim Moody – has no problem with the chimney proposal and he likes the aesthetics of this garage plan. Rusak – would not approve the garage in the front. Kane agreed, thinks there are alternatives to a single car garage with a width of 1 1/2. Max – because it is the Boulevard and there is an alternative, he would not approve. Bolo agreed; he feels that there are areas on the Boulevard where the houses encroach onto the road. Sullivan agreed. Richter described his concept that they could have the garage in the front with a reduced depth. Collins asked that the chimney be approved and she will submit a revision for the front variance. Attorney Sullivan noted that if they comply with the 49.9’ set back, they will not need to return. The motion for the sideyard variance was made by Jim Moody, seconded by Chris Richter and carried by 7-0 roll call vote. Collins accepted the extension to carry the frontyard variance request to May 4.
ETHAN &
SARINA GRODOFSKY
Bl. 55 Lot 8 Appl.#06-477
Front yard RAA zone
The applicants were accompanied by Architect Joan Nix. Nix presented a five-photo board, Exhibit A1. Nix described the request to add a two-car garage to the left of the house plus a two-story addition to the existing house, connecting the garage to the house. The proposed garage would be angled for aesthetic reasons, creating the frontyard variance. The existing detached garage is only 11.8 feet from Laurel Hill so the proposed garage addition would not be perceived as being too close to the street. The Grodofskys did not want to remove the original detached garage.
Paul Ferguson, neighbor at 156
Board comments: Arthur Max noted that, since the detached garage to the left of this property is being demolished, he would like to see this garage removed also. Sheasby said he would prefer to have the garage doors face the street. Nix showed a model she had created of the proposed structure. Sheasby expressed concern that it would grow into a guest apartment without Borough approval. Considering the grandeur of this home, he would prefer that it be more linear. Bolo was satisfied with the design. Sullivan – is very familiar with the house and does not have an objection to the existing detached garage. Richter – the garage addition is set back farther than the house so the variance is technical. Moody would approve. Kane – approves removal of the existing driveway, but he had thought the garage would come down. Rusak – understands the angle of the proposed garage; we should not request removal of an historic structure. Peter Bolo moved that the application be approved as submitted, seconded by Chris Sullivan and approved by 7-0 roll call.
TARA & LARRY PAGE 81 Boulevard
Bl. 59, Lot 21 Appl.#6-478
Front yard RA zone
The Pages requested the setback
variance to erect a swing set near the
MARK &
Bl. 129.02, Lot 4 Appl. #06-481
Front yard RA zone
Architect Larry Korinda
described the request for a front yard variance along
Jim Moody moved that the motion be approved with conditions that the new wall is not in the right of way and tree questions be deferred to the Shade Tree Commission. Closer to Midvale, the wall could be 2 ½ feet and increase to (not exceed) 3 feet, Chris Sullivan seconded the motion, approved by 7-0 roll call vote.
PETER KASHULINES 294 Morris Ave.
Bl. 104 Lot 9 Appl.#06-482
ILC & side RA zone
Architect Marjorie Roller described the request to extend the existing deck and add a set of stairs to a natural stone area. This would be a more natural transition and reduce the number of stairs needed if they were located in the rear. The coverage will not be increased because they will remove a dry laid brick patio in the front of the house. The concrete pad would require the side yard variance for 10 feet, an existing nonconformity. Roller showed the existing survey (Exhibit A1, Zimmerlee survey from 2/2006). There were no comments from the public or the Board. The motion to approve was made by Bob Sheasby, seconded by Peter Bolo and carried by 7-0 roll call.
Other Matters:
Attorney Sullivan noted that By-Laws had not been located and he offered to prepare a draft. Arthur Max suggested that we add a clause to any approval that the applicant agrees to be subject to the ZBA jurisdiction if they want to make additional changes within one year. Sheasby agreed but did not want to include a time frame. Michael Sullivan said he would look at the suggestion more carefully. Regarding the March 24 memo from Gary Webb to Jill Gotthelf, Council will discuss the height ordinance at their April 24 meeting. Jim Moody suggested that there be language to exempt properties with an elevation change of less than a certain amount.
The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Marge Jackson, Secretary