TOWNSHIP OF WALL

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

HELD IN THE MUNICIPAL MEETING ROOM

JUNE 18, 2003

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Wall Township Board of Adjustment was called to order by Chairman Clayton at 7:30 P.M.  Members present were Chairman Clayton, Mary DeSarno, James Gray, Wilma Morrissey, Anthony Rembiszewski, Attorney Hirsch, Planning Coordinator Roberta Lang, Recording Secretary Betty Schinestuhl, Engineer Hoover, and Reporter Patterson.

 

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 #BA16-2003 – Date application complete:  May 6, 2003

 

APPLICANT: NICOLE & TIMOTHY DRAPER

 

PROPERTY: 1632 Rivercrest Lane, Block 837, Lot 5, R-30 zone

 

RELIEF REQUESTED: Bulk

 

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

 

Timothy B. Middleton, Esq. appeared for the applicant.

 

Attorney Middleton explained the property is located in the Manasquan Park section.  It is off Ramshorn Drive.  The property goes to the Manasquan River.  It is located in the R-30 zone.  The applicant purchased the property two years ago.  The existing dwelling was built in the 1930’s or 1940’s.  It is a converted small bungalow.  The applicant has two options, they can add onto the existing house without variances or they can raze the existing home and build a new home which would be more consistent with their life style. 

 

Attorney Middleton said Mrs. Draper will testify regarding the house design.  Attorney Middleton said the house is approximately 22’ wide.  The proposed house will be 2½ story.  There are a number of existing variances which will be lessened.  This will be in keeping with the neighborhood.

 

Sworn by Reporter Patterson:                           Nicole Draper

 

Mrs. Draper said she was raised in Wall Township and went to school in Wall Township.  She said her and her husband closed on this property September 5, 2001.  They intended on adding on another bedroom.  It is a two bedroom house now.  They started working on the house.  They then realized they would need variances.  They put their plans on hold.  They rented out the


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house.  She said they are now ready to move back into Wall Township.  She said they want to make the house more conforming. 

 

Attorney Middleton asked if Mrs. Draper has a layout of the proposed home.  Mrs. Draper said yes. 

 

Entered into evidence:

 

A-1      Front elevation of the proposed home

A-2      Photo of existing home

A-3      Front and rear elevation of proposed home

A-4      Landscape plan

A-5      Left side and rear elevation of proposed home

A-6      Group of photos and copy of tax map

 

Mrs. Draper described A-2.  Mrs. Draper said this home has two bedrooms, one bath and an enclosed sun porch.  It is like a summer bungalow.  The photo was taken March 2003.

 

Mrs. Draper described the proposed home.  She said it is 2½ stories.  It is Victorian style.  It will have three bedrooms upstairs.  The home will also include 1½ baths, kitchen and a great room.  The house will be 29’ 10” from peak to ground.  The first floor will have an open living room, enclosed foyer, kitchen and a stairway.  There is an enclosed porch proposed.  The first floor will be 757.5 s.f.  There will be three bedrooms and one full bath upstairs.  The second floor will be 757 s.f.  There will be a total of 1500 s.f. of living space.  There will be a full basement which will be a playroom for the children.  The house is 22’ wide and 35’ long.

 

Mrs. Draper explained the right side elevation.  She said there are some smaller windows on that side.  One window is part of the kitchen.  There is also a window on the landing going upstairs.  The only regular size window will be in the upstairs bathroom.

 

Mrs. Draper explained the rear elevation.  She said there is a window upstairs, a window in the kitchen and sliding doors.  The windows in the front are for the living room.  There are more windows upstairs.

 

Mrs. Draper said she went through 10 – 15 planning books.  There is not much out there for a narrow lot.  She said they are trying to conform.

 

Mrs. Draper said she and her father designed the landscape plan.  Mrs. Draper explained the plants that will surround the house.  There will be lots of evergreen.

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked if the 2½ story will affect the natural lighting to the home next door.  Mrs. Draper said she doesn’t believe so.

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked if there were any objectors.  Mrs. Draper said no.

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked if the shed is going to stay.  Mrs. Draper said yes.


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Mrs. Morrissey asked if there will be any additional utilities.  Mrs. Draper said they will use the existing utilities.

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked what type of siding.  Mrs. Draper said cedar vinyl.

 

Mr. Rembiszewski asked when Mrs. Draper purchased the property.  Mrs. Draper said September 5, 2001.

 

Chairman Clayton asked what the existing height of the house is.  Mrs. Draper said she did not know.  She said the planner is going to discuss that and the elevations.

 

Mrs. DeSarno said she has concerns about trucks during construction time.  Mrs. Draper said she will just make sure that all the contractors are bonded.  She said she is not going to use anyone that is not insured.

 

Mr. Palumbo, Rivercrest Lane, asked about the third floor.  Mrs. Draper said it is a walk up attic.

 

Mr. Palumbo asked for the height of the proposed house.  Mrs. Draper said it will be 29’ 10”. 

 

Mr. Palumbo asked if Mrs. Draper had a picture of how the new house will look on the property.  Mrs. Draper said she will get him one.

 

Scott Darby, Rivercrest Lane, asked if Mrs. Draper was going to live in this dwelling or rent it out.  Mrs. Draper said they are going to live there.

 

Mr. Darby asked if the actual footprint of the new building is smaller than what is there now.  Mrs. Draper said yes.

 

Mr. Darby asked if Mrs. Draper could just add on to the existing footprint.  Mrs. Draper said they could but it would not be esthetically pleasing.

 

Attorney Middleton said Mrs. Draper considered adding on to the exiting footprint.  If she decided to do that she would not have to come before this Board.  He said the other option was to build a new home with variances.  He asked Mrs. Draper if the footprint was bigger or smaller.  Mrs. Draper said smaller.  The existing home is 26.5’ wide and the proposed is 22’ wide.  The existing home is over 36’ long and the proposed is 35’.  She said they are bringing in the sides and front to make it more conforming. 

 

Attorney Middleton asked if the house could go to 35’.  Mrs. Draper said yes the Land Use Office said we can go up to 35’. 

 

Reed Finley said he had no concerns other than the fact during demolition and construction you notify the neighbors.  Attorney Middleton said if this is approved tonight the applicant will notify everyone who resides on Rivercrest Lane at least seven days before construction by certified mail.  Attorney Middleton said the applicant will make every effort not to block the lane. 


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Andy Thomas, Planner, was sworn.  Mr. Thomas gave his credentials which were accepted by the Board.

 

Mr. Thomas said he visited the site.  He has reviewed the zoning ordinances.  He is familiar with the Master Plan.  The site is 4,230 s.f.  All lots on Rivercrest are undersized.  They run from 4,230 s.f. to 15,000 s.f.  This is in the R-30 zone.

 

Attorney Middleton asked if across the street the lots are R-10.  Mr. Thomas said yes.

 

Attorney Middleton said the Manasquan section is mostly R-10.  Mr. Thomas agreed.

 

Attorney Middleton asked if this was the only lane in Manasquan Park.  Mr. Thomas said yes.

 

Mr. Thomas said the house next door is one story.  The house to the west is a two story house.  There are four one story, two 2 story, one 2½ story and two 1½ story.  The area is very wooded.   

 

Mr. Thomas explained the construction of this 2½ story home requires variances.  The applicant will be reducing the existing non-conformities.  Mr. Thomas listed the variances required.  They include lot area, lot width, lot frontage, lot depth, building setback, building coverage and impervious coverage.  There is a shed in the rear.  It is 2’ from the property line.  Attorney Middleton stated the applicant has agreed to move the shed so there will be no need for a variance. 

 

Mr. Thomas said the bulk variances are being minimized. 

 

Mr. Thomas said this will be a more conforming structure.  The setbacks will be reduced.  Building and impervious coverage will be reduced.  The proposed 2½ story home will fit in with the neighborhood.

 

Mr. Thomas said, in his opinion, there is no negative impact.

 

Attorney Middleton stated if the applicant went with the plan to add on the home would be much larger.  Mr. Thomas agreed.

 

Attorney Middleton asked if this house was designed for this property.  Mr. Thomas said yes.

 

Attorney Middleton asked if this would have any impact on the neighbors.  Mr. Thomas said no.

 

Attorney Middleton said the neighborhood is all developed.  Mr. Thomas said there are a variety of different style homes in the area.  This home would fit nicely in the neighborhood.

 

Mr. Thomas went over the adjoining lots using a tax map.  The lot to the east is 45’ wide and 94’ deep.  The lot to the west is 67.5’ wide and 94’ deep. 

 

Mrs. Morrissey said this house will be 2½ stories, it will be 29’ 10” high.  The other homes in the neighborhood are 2 stories, 1 story and 1½ story.  She asked if this would fit in.  Mr. Thomas said this will be the second 2½ story and it will blend in.


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Mr. Gray asked what the height of the house next door is.  Mr. Thomas said about 23’.

 

Chairman Clayton asked if the attic was going to be finished.  Mrs. Draper said no.

 

Chairman Clayton asked what are some of the heights of the other houses in the neighborhood.  Mr. Thomas said across the street there is a two story house with a garage.  There is another two story along Riverview Terrace.

 

Chairman Clayton said the proposed house setbacks are 11.6’ on both sides.  How does the rest of the neighborhood setback.  Mr. Thomas said according to the survey the house next door has a 12.35’ setback. 

 

Attorney Middleton said the Draper lot is 45’ wide and the proposed home is only 22’ wide.  The home could not be reduced much more.

 

The application was open to the public.

 

Steven R. Kiselick, 1634 Rivercrest Lane, was sworn.  Mr. Kiselick said there are no 2½ story buildings on the lane.  Mr. Kiselick said the Draper’s have one of the smallest lots on the lane and they are building one of the largest homes.  He asked if it could be reduced a little.  He also asked if the trees could be saved.  Attorney Middleton said this house will be smaller than the existing footprint.  They could build a home up to 35’ in height.

 

Attorney Middleton said there will be at least two parking spaces in the driveway.

 

Attorney Middleton said what the applicant is planning to build is consistent with the Manasquan Park area. 

 

Mr. Kiselick said there are so many variances with this application.  Attorney Middleton said you testified that you were concerned that there are so many variances with this application.  Mr. Kiselick agreed.  Attorney Middleton said they are existing.  The applicant is agreeing to minimize some of them. 

 

Mr. Kiselick asked if the plants in the front yard would remain.  Mrs. Draper said not the rhododendrons.

 

Mr. Gray asked if there was no parking on the lane.  Mr. Kiselick said no.

 

Attorney Middleton said they would like to keep the driveway at 60’ but that would increase the impervious coverage.  The Board agreed to the 60’ driveway.

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked the applicant if she thought the height could be lowered a little.  Mrs. Draper said if they lowered the pitch they would loose the third floor dormer window.

 

Scott Darby was sworn.  Mr. Darby said he is not against anybody improving their home.  He just wants to make it known that he added on two years ago and he tried to take into consideration the neighbors.  He said he did not need a variance.  He did not go up 35’.  He has


June 18, 2003                                                                                                              Page 6

 

concerns regarding the house fitting in the neighborhood and looking right.  He said he does not want a monstrosity of a house in the neighborhood.

 

The application was closed to the public.

 

Attorney Middleton said the applicant plans to build a house smaller than what she could have.  She is limiting the height to 29’ 10”.  She is reducing certain variances.  The applicant will notify the neighbors before the construction process.  The house is only 22’ wide.  It is not a big house.  There is a problem with reducing the height of the house because of the pitch of the roof.  The house is so narrow the roof would almost be flat.  The attic is not a bad idea.  To eliminate the ½ story would eliminate storage space and change the pitch of the roof.  All the houses in the neighborhood are different.  The setbacks of lot 4 are approximately 6.8’ from the property line.  The setbacks of lot 6 are approximately 14’ from the Draper property line. 

 

Mrs. Morrissey moved to approve the application subject to moving the shed, notification to the neighbors when construction would start, front yard setback of 24’ and maintain the 60’ driveway.  Also the trees in the rear will be preserved.  Mrs. DeSarno seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.  (Mesdames. Morrissey, DeSarno, Messrs. Gray, Rembiszewski and Clayton voted yes.)

 

The meeting recessed at 9:25 P.M.

 

The meeting resumed at 9:35 P.M.

 

CASE #17-2003 – Date application complete: May 19, 2003  

 

APPLICANT: JOSEPH & RUTH GIUFFRE

 

PROPERTY: 1702 Beverly Street, Block 110, Lot 4, R-7.5 zone

 

RELIEF REQUESTED: Bulk variance

 

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

 

Sworn by Reporter Patterson:                           Joseph Giuffre

                                                                        Ruth Giuffre

 

Mr. Giuffre said he has lived in his home for 35 years.  The house burned.  He has a temporary C.O.  The room in the back is the only one not finished.  He would like to get it finished.  There was a room back there.  It was 12’ X 18’.  He wants to replace it.  The back door was changed to the center of the house.  He has to extend the room to 18’ X 18’. 

 

Attorney Hirsch asked if he was going over the permitted building and impervious coverage.  Mr. Giuffre said yes.

 

Attorney Hirsch asked if the house was going to be larger.  Mr. Giuffre said the only difference is the 6’, everything else is the same.


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Attorney Hirsch asked if the lot was only 5,000 s.f.  Mr. Giuffre said yes, it is 50’ X 100’. 

 

Mr. Giuffre explained the original structure is still there.  The outside room burned down to the slab. 

 

Chairman Clayton asked if the house would be any closer to the neighbor.  Mr. Giuffre said no, the additional 6’ is going toward the middle of the lot.

 

Chairman Clayton asked if that was a family room.  Mr. Giuffre said it was a sunroom and we want to make it more enclosed.

 

Attorney Hirsch said the engineer had a question regarding the survey.  You submitted different drawings.  The survey that we have is the one that was originally submitted.  Mr. Giuffre said the survey is wrong. 

 

Attorney Hirsch said if the Board approves this application they would need an accurate survey.  The setbacks, deck, everything must be shown.  The survey has to show exactly what you are going to do.  Mr. Hoover told Mr. Giuffre if he needed help he would give him a list.

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked if the existing slab was 12’ X 18’ or 18’ X 18’.  Mr. Giuffre said it is 12’ X 18’.  He said he just wants to extend it 6’. 

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked if the applicant was going to need additional utilities.  Mr. Giuffre said they were going to just have a gas heater in the back.

 

Chairman Clayton asked Mr. Hoover if he scaled the drawings.  Mr. Hoover said yes the setback in the rear is approximately 7’ to the deck.  The side setback is approximately 7.26’.  It is consistent. 

 

Mrs. Morrissey asked if the shed was going to remain.  Mr. Giuffre said it will stay exactly where it is.

 

Chairman Clayton asked for the height of the addition.  Mr. Giuffre said approximately 13’. 

 

The application was open and closed to the public.

 

Mrs. DeSarno moved to approve the application subject to an accurate survey being submitted to the Board Engineer.  Mr. Rembiszewski seconded the motion which was unanimously approved by a roll call vote.  (Mrs. DeSarno, Messrs Rembiszewski, Gray, Mrs. Morrissey and Mr. Clayton voted yes.)

 

RESOLUTIONS TO BE MEMORIALIZED:

 

PB PRODUCTS NORTH AMERICA, INC. – BOA#29-2002

Block 12, Lots 1, 2 & 3                                                                       DeSarno/Gray


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There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved to adjourn the meeting at 9:58 P.M. 

 

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                       

 

 

Betty Schinestuhl

                                                                        Recording Secretary