TOWNSHIP OF WALL

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

HELD IN THE MUNICIPAL MEETING ROOM

MAY 21, 2003

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Wall Township Board of Adjustment was called to order by Chairman Clayton at 7:35 P.M.  Members present were Chairman Clayton, Wilma Morrissey, Anthony Rembiszewski, James Gray, alternates Bob Kerr and Wayne Palmer, Attorney Hirsch, Planning Coordinator Roberta Lang, Recording Secretary Betty Schinestuhl, Engineer Gerken, and Reporter Arnone.

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG

 

Attorney Hirsch announced that all requirements under the Open Public Meetings Act had been complied with for this meeting and read the purposes of the Board of Adjustment.

 

NEW APPLICATIONS

 

CASE #BA11-2003 – Date application complete:  April 14, 2003

 

APPLICANT: MARTELLI DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, INC.

 

PROPERTY: 1615 Highway 34, Block 917.01, Lot 19, OP-2 zone

 

RELIEF REQUESTED: Bulk/Use/Site

 

Attorney Hirsch reviewed the file and stated the Board had jurisdiction to proceed.

 

Attorney Hirsch said the applicant and the Board’s experts thought it would be helpful to have a TRC.  They will try to work out some issues so when it does come before the Board it will be a stream line process.  No further noticing is required. 

 

Chairman Clayton said the Martelli application will be carried to July 16, 2003.

 

A resident asked Attorney Hirsch if they cannot make the meeting can they send something by mail.  Attorney Hirsch said the Board cannot do that.  He said when the applicant comes back the plans will be better.  You can review those plans at last 10 days before the meeting.  If they are not ready by then the application will have to be carried again because the public has a right to view the plans before the meeting.

 

CASE #9-2003 – Date application complete: April 7, 2003   

 

APPLICANT: C & S CUSTOM BUILDER

 

PROPERTY: 2926 Adams Street, Block 766, Lot 25, R-15 zone

 

RELIEF REQUESTED: Bulk variance


May 21, 2003                                                                                                              Page 2

 

Attorney Hirsch reviewed the file and stated the Board had jurisdiction to proceed.

 

Jeffrey Beekman, Esq. appeared for the applicant.

 

Sworn by Reporter Arnone:                        Sallie Dwyer, Owner

 

7:40 P.M. Mr. Cinelli arrived.

 

Attorney Beekman asked Ms. Dwyer what relationship she had with C & S.  Ms. Dwyer said she is President.

 

Attorney Beekman asked what the nature of the construction is.  Ms. Dwyer said a single family home with a garage.  The old house on the property was demolished and a new one is being built.  This application is to construct an additional single car garage.  With this added one car garage the house will have a two car garage.  We are asking for a building coverage variance.  We are providing 21.2% where 19% is required.  There is no where else to put the garage.  Esthetically this is the best place.  Attorney Hirsch asked if it would be attached.  Ms. Dwyer said it would be attached.  Attorney Hirsch asked if there would be any wall between the garages.  Ms. Dwyer said no. 

 

Attorney Beekman showed photos of the home with one and two car garages. 

 

Entered into evidence:

 

A-1      Photo showing one and two car garage

A-2      Copy of plans submitted with application (architectural plan)

A-3      Copy of survey

 

Attorney Hirsch asked if the top photo is what you want this house to look like.  Ms. Dwyer said yes, the bottom photo is what it would look like with a one car garage. 

 

Attorney Beekman, referring to Mr. Gerken’s letter of May 19, 2003, asked Ms. Dwyer if she would comply with #3.  Mr. Gerken stated the zoning schedule for the subject parcel should be provided on the plot plan indicating required, existing and proposed data.  Ms. Dwyer said she would comply. 

 

Attorney Beekman asked what the impact would be on the existing utility connections.  Ms. Dwyer said there would be no impact.  The water/sewer lines have to be run.

 

Mr. Gerken asked if the applicant is discontinuing the use of the old utility connections.  Ms. Dwyer said yes.  She said no street opening permit is needed.

 

Ms. Dwyer said she does not feel the addition of a one car garage will be a detriment.  Even with the two car garage there will be more than a 17’ setback.  This addition would just enhance the house.  This is in an upcoming neighborhood.  Some of the older homes are being remodeled.  Some are being demolished and being rebuilt.  On the left side of this property there is a wooded lot owned by the Township. 


May 21, 2003                                                                                                              Page 3

 

Attorney Hirsch said 7500 s.f. is required.  Ms. Dwyer agreed.  Attorney Hirsch said this property is in the R15 zone.  Mr. Gerken agreed.  Attorney Hirsch asked for the lot sizes of other properties in the area.  Ms. Dwyer said they are similar.  Mr. Gerken said according to the tax map the property to the left is 75’ X 100’ and the property to the right is 125’ X 100’. 

 

Ms. Morrissey asked, on lot 24, if the garage was now bedrooms.  Ms. Dwyer said she did not know.  She said her garage is not going to be anywhere near their home.  The proposed garage is only going back 21’. 

 

Chairman Clayton asked how the house on lot 24 compares to yours.  Ms. Dwyer said that house sits way back. 

 

Mr. Gray asked, without the garage, how far is the house from the property line.  Ms. Dwyer said 27.33’.  Mr. Gray stated once the house is built it will be 17’.  Ms. Dwyer said yes.

 

Chairman Clayton said there will be no living quarters above the garage.  Ms. Dwyer said that is correct.

 

Chairman Clayton asked if any windows or doors will be facing lot 24.  Ms. Dwyer said only in the back. 

 

Chairman Clayton asked if there were other homes in the area that exceeded coverage.  Ms. Dwyer said there are houses that are very big and have two car garages.  If they are on a 75’ X 100’ lot they probably exceed coverage. 

 

Attorney Hirsch asked Mr. Gerken if there were any drainage problems.  Mr. Gerken said no.

 

The application was open and closed to the public.

 

Mrs. Morrissey moved to approve the application for bulk variance providing there is a 17’ side yard setback on the side of the garage.  Mr. Gray seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.  (Messrs. Kerr, Palmer, Rembiszewski, Mrs. Morrissey, Messrs. Gray, Cinelli and Clayton voted yes.

 

Case #10-2003 – Date application complete: April 7, 2003.   

 

APPLICANT: WILLIAM & JANET CUSICK

 

PROPERTY: 1905 Tiltons Corner Road, Block 799, Lot 36, R-40 zone

 

RELIEF REQUESTED: Bulk variance  

 

Attorney Hirsch reviewed the file and stated the Board had jurisdiction to proceed.

 

Sworn by Reporter Arnone:                        Anthony Bush, Jr., Architect

                                                            Bill Cusick, Owner


May 21, 2003                                                                                                              Page 4

 

Entered into evidence: 

 

A-1      Copy of Plan dated December 12, 2002

 

Mr. Cusick stated he has lived in this house for 18+ years.  Mr. Cusick explained the house has a flat roof.  His family has out grown the house.  His mother comes to stay and they need a fourth bedroom.  They would like to move the kitchen out.  The driveway will not be changed.  He said he has talked to both neighbors and they were very positive.  The bedrooms will be upstairs and a new roof will be put on.  He explained they have no storage space or closets.  He said his family likes where they live.  There is 50’ – 55’ from the bedroom to the neighbor’s garage.  There are 7’ – 8’ cedar trees between the properties. 

 

Mr. Gray asked if the addition will be to the garage.  Mr. Bush said the addition will be in back of the garage. 

 

Mr. Gray asked what will be above the garage.  Mr. Bush said just a roof.  The existing roof leaks very bad.  The applicant wants to make the house fit in.  We are planning to add space for the family and get rid of the flat roof.  Getting rid of the flat roof was the main reason for the whole design.  All the bedrooms are now on the first floor and the kitchen is very tiny. 

 

Mr. Gray asked what the siding is going to look like.  Mr. Bush said the applicant would like to reside the whole house with vinyl siding. 

 

Attorney Hirsch asked what the existing square footage of the house is now and what it will be after the addition.  Mr. Bush said it is now about 1800 s.f.  With the addition it will be approximately 2300 s.f.  The footprint will not be increased.  The second floor will only be on half the house.  The house is 42’ off the street.  The house sits up a little.

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked if the addition will have any impact on the existing utilities and will there be any drainage problems.  Mr. Bush said the same sewer hook-up and water hook-up will be used.  Drainage will be the same.  The house does not have gutters now.  With the new addition gutters will be installed.

 

Chairman Clayton asked how far away the homes on lot 35 and lot 47 are.  Mr. Cusick said the house on lot 35 is about 55’.

 

Chairman Clayton asked if that house sits back the same from the road as yours.  Mr. Cusick said maybe the same.

 

Mr. Cusick said the house on lot 47 will not be a problem.  They have a large piece of property.

 

Mr. Bush said the entrance will be from the side.  The house will fit in with the neighborhood.

 

Chairman Clayton said looking at the elevation there seems to be a lot of windows.  What about the neighbors?  Mr. Cusick said there are a lot of cedar trees between the properties.  Mr. Bush said they are proposing a lot of glass because of the sun.


May 21, 2003                                                                                                              Page 5

 

Attorney Hirsch asked if the other lots in the neighborhood are larger.  Mr. Cusick said he is next to Hidden Brook so he would have to say yes.

 

Attorney Hirsch asked if the houses were larger.  Mr. Cusick said yes.

 

Attorney Hirsch said this addition would bring the house in conformance with the houses in the neighborhood.  Mr. Cusick said yes.

 

Mr. Gerken said there are no grading issues.  Everything is ok.

 

The application was open and closed to the public.

 

Mr. Cusick said he hopes the Board grants this variance.  He said it is something he has to do to maintain his quality of life. 

 

Mr. Rembiszewski asked if Mr. Cusick was going to do the work himself.  Mr. Cusick said no.

 

Mrs. Morrissey moved to approve the application for bulk variance.  Mr. Rembiszewski seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.  (Mrs. Morrissey, Messrs. Rembiszewski, Kerr, Palmer, Gray Cinelli and Clayton voted yes.)

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 P.M. 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                       

 

 

Betty Schinestuhl

                                                                        Recording Secretary