MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING

 ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES

January 31, 2008

 

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 3, 2008.  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 17, 2008 and was made available to all those requesting individual notice and paying the required fee.  

 

ROLL CALL:

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

Also Present:  Attorney Michael Sullivan

Council Liaison – none

 

REVIEW OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the January 3 meeting were approved by voice vote.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

New applications:

The applicants and architect were sworn in by Chair Bolo

        RACHELLE BOYHAN                       29 Oak Lane

        Bl. 80, Lot 43                                       Appl.#08-528

        ILC                                                      RA zone

Rachelle and Jim Boyhan were accompanied by architect Marjorie Roller.  Roller testified that existing coverage calculations are 26.4%; the second page incorrectly stated 26.6%.

Roller testified that the Boyhan’s driveway is very long and narrow.  The garage is located at the rear of the property, creating excessive coverage.  Exhibits A1 & A2, each sheets of 4 photos, were distributed to demonstrate the problem with their driveway, lack of parking space and visibility problems when backing onto the street.

Roller suggested that they remove a walkway and small patio on the northeast side of the property plus pavers next to the garage.  With the additional turnaround space proposed, it will result in improved coverage of 26.2%

Mary Dietz asked whether a deck would be added in the future.  Boyhan said no, these are just steps to the back door so it would not be changed.

Richter noted that a K-turn would be tight within 22 feet. 

Sheasby asked how wide the driveway was at the flare by the street (11.33 feet.)

Boyhan pointed out that, even without visitors, this proposal is requested for safety reasons.  Because they are near Lake Drive School and the Club, there are often cars parked along the street.  Sheasby suggested that, if the hedge were removed, there would be better visibility for backing out onto the street.  Sheasby asked if they considered using space to the left of the house for parking rather than having cars parked in the front of the house.  Bolo pointed out that there are Birch trees there that screen the house from the neighbors.

Richter agreed that they need a turnaround area in the front of the house .

David Kane said that he knew the previous owner and has had difficulty with this driveway.  He noted that the hedges between the properties are significant.  Rachelle Boyhan said that there are at least 12 children living in the six closest houses.

Mary Dietz asked if they had considered a half-moon off the drive which would make an easier turn than a K-turn within 22 feet.

Roller said they considered many, many options.  Guests do not usually drive to the back of the house.  This offers the option for the residents to turn around either in the front or the back and minimize the improved coverage.

Jim Boyhan said they would have preferred a semi-circular D-ring but they were trying to minimize additional coverage.

Bolo said he has been in the driveway; it is very perilous but the plantings are picturesque and are advantageous in terms of privacy.  He thinks it is important to be able to turn around and it is a public safety issue.  Having been there, the benefit to the public would outweigh the coverage issue.

Richter – I don’t think we should dictate or redesign your plan.  I don’t have a problem with this.

Kane – I’d rather see the shrubbery remain instead of doing another curb cut, as many of the neighbors have done.

Jim Moody made the motion to grant the variance as requested, seconded by Chris Richter and approved by 6-0 roll call vote.

 

    Carried from December 6 to March 7:

REINO TRUUMEES                           137 Lookout Rd.

Bl. 42 Lot 9                                          Appl.# 07-526

ILC, side, soil moving permit                 RAA zone 

Jim Moody made the motion to carry the application to March 7, seconded by Bob Sheasby and carried by voice vote.

 

Other Matters / Public Comment:

The public was reminded of the five minute limit to any individual’s comments.  There were none.

Board members discussed and strongly recommended that the Council liaison attend meetings regularly.  Dr. Bolo will speak to the Mayor.

Bob Sheasby also requested that we note attendance of appointees.  Absences diminish our effectiveness as a Board.  That should be one of the criteria for reappointment.  Attendance of members and the liaison should be noted in the annual report.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

                                                                                                            Respectfully submitted,

           

           

             

                                                                                                Marge Jackson, Secretary