BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

 

MINUTES

JANUARY 7, 2004

 

REORGANIZATION MEETING

and

REGULAR MEETING

 

OPENING STATEMENT: Read by Mayor Warren Hagstrom.

 

This is a Reorganization and Regular Meeting of the Wanaque Board of Adjustment and adequate notice has been duly advertised by the mailing of a notice to the Suburban Trends and the Herald & News on the 4th day of December 2003 and a notice thereof has been posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building and a copy thereof is on file with the Borough Clerk.

 

ROLL CALL:  Jack Dunning, William Grygus, Frank Covelli, Peter Hoffman, Don Ludwig (came in at 7:50 P.M.), John Shutte, Chris Demetriou, Atty. Ralph Faasse and Eng. William Gregor.

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Ted Roberto and Lee Smith.

 

Mayor Warren Hagstrom announced there were four (4) appointments to the Board this year. Three members were sworn in tonight by Mayor Hagstrom and they were Chris Demetriou (Alt. #1), Frank Covelli filling an unexpired term, and John Shutte (Alt. #2).  Member Ted Roberto was absent and will be sworn in at the next meeting.

 

NOMINATION FOR CHAIRMAN: The name Jack Dunning was presented by Member Covelli, seconded by Member Grygus, no other names were presented.  Nominations were closed by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Shutte. All in favor of closing the nomination.

 

ROLL CALL ON NOMINATION FOR CHAIRMAN: Voting yes were Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

At this point in the meeting, Chairman Dunning took over.

 

NOMINATION FOR VICE CHAIRMAN: The name Ted Roberto was presented by Member Covelli, seconded by Member Grygus, no other names were presented. 

 

ROLL CALL ON NOMINATION FOR VICE CHAIRMAN:  Voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Shutte and Demetriou

 

NOMINATION FOR BOARD ENGINEER:  The name Eng. William R. Gregor was presented by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Shutte, no other names were presented.

 

ROLL CALL ON NOMINATION FOR BOARD ENGINEER:  Voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

NOMINATION FOR BOARD ATTORNEY:  The name Ralph Faasse, Esq. was presented by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Shutte, no other names were presented.

 

ROLL CALL ON NOMINATION FOR BOARD ATTORNEY: Voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

ADOPTION OF EXISTING PROCEDURES AND BY-LAWS: To continue as already exists.

 

MOTION TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING BY-LAWS:  made by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Covelli, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

ADOPTION OF EXISTING MEETING DATES TO CONTINUE ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH, AND ADOPTION OF SITE VISITS TO BE CONDUCTED THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE MONTHLY MEETING AT 10:00 A.M.:

 

MOTION TO MAINTAIN THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH FOR THE REGULAR MEETING WITH A 7:30 P.M. WORKSHOP AND THE REGULAR MEETING WILL FOLLOW AT 8:00 P.M. AND THE SATURDAY PRIOR TO THAT MEETING FOR SITE VISITS AT 10:00 A.M.: made by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Covelli, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

ADOPTION OF NEWSPAPERS:  To continue with the Suburban Trends and the Herald & News:

 

MOTION TO ACCEPT AND DIRECT THE BOARD SECRETARY TO ADVERTISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT TO GIVE NOTICE OF THE MEETING DATES FOR 2004: made by Member Grygus, second by Member Shutte, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

RECESSED AT 7:53 P.M.:

 

RECONVENED AT 8:07 P.M. FOR THE REGULAR MEETING:

 

Salute to Flag:

 

ROLL CALL: Chairman Jack Dunning, Members William Grygus, Frank Covelli, Peter Hoffman, Don Ludwig, John Shutte, Chris Demetriou.

 

Application #18-03 Stanislaw & Ludwika Haberny, 395 Ringwood Ave., Block 208 Lot 51, Bulk & Use Variance. The Board Secretary received a letter dated December 17, 2003 from Atty. Henry C. Walentowicz of Celentano, Stadtmauer & Walentowicz LLP, Notchview Office Park, 1035 Route 46 East, Clifton, N.J. confirming that this application is being withdrawn.

 

MOTION TO DISMISS WITHOUT PREJUDICE: made by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Shutte, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Ludwig, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

Application #20-03 Manuel O. Hoyos, 105 Conklintown Rd., Block 200 Lot 3.01, Bulk & Use Variance. This application has been carried since November 2003 and no correspondence has been received. Eng. Gregor said he had a meeting with one of the applicant’s professionals to review the requirements that were listed in Eng. Gregor’s last letter. Eng. Gregor said he met with Mr. Hoyos’ professional in the middle of December and Eng. Gregor’s understanding was that they were going to revise the drawings and proceed, but Eng. Gregor has not received any new information.

 

MOTION TO CARRY TO FEBRUARY 4, 2004 MEETING AND IF THEY ARE NOT READY, THE APPLICATION WILL BE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE: made by Member Ludwig, seconded by Member Covelli, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Ludwig, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

Member Grygus suggested the Board Secretary send a letter to Mr. Hoyos to let him know the application has been carried to the February 4, 2004 Meeting and if the Board does not hear from Mr. Hoyos, the application will be dismissed without prejudice.

 

Application #22-03 Kera Investments, LLC, 4 Shady Ave., Block 421 Lot 13 & 18, Bulk Variance. The applicant was in the Board Secretary’s office the day before, January 6, 2004, and said he is working on getting a new survey done. Eng. Gregor said the applicant’s surveyor called him today and asked questions about what type of information was needed on the survey.

 

MOTION TO CARRY TO FEBRUARY 4, 2004 MEETING:  made by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Ludwig, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Ludwig, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

Harry Bachmann, 8 Oak St., came forward. Mr. Bachmann told the Board he was notified about this application (#22-03 Kera Investments, LLC) and wanted to know what their intent was. Atty. Faasse told Mr. Bachmann the applicant is asking for variances and more particularly, their asking for permission to build on an unimproved road and they can’t get a Building Permit until they come before this Board or the Planning Board for that permission. Atty. Faasse also explained that the application will be heard at the February 4, 2004 Meeting and no further notice will be sent.

 

Application #21-03 Theodore J. & Jo Ann Karpovich, 52 Bergen Ave., Block 415 Lot 10, Bulk Variance:

Mr. & Mrs. Karpovich came forward and were sworn in by Atty. Faasse.

Mr. Karpovich explained to the Board he wants to put a covered front porch on his house, 27 ft. long X 7 ft. wide. Eng. Gregor went over his report dated December 29, 2003. (All members have a copy)

Member Grygus asked the applicant about the roof in the front of the house that has a small gable and Mr. Karpovich said that will be taken away with the shed roof and the drawing submitted represents the new roof.

Chairman Dunning asked if this porch blends in with the neighborhood and Mr. Karpovich said yes it does. Mrs. Karpovich said they are copying a porch down the street from them right on Bergen Ave. Member Hoffman asked if they were planning on closing this porch in at any time and the Karpovich’s said no.

Chairman Dunning told the applicants to be careful when they dig down because they will be building over their sewer and water line.

 

OPEN TO PUBLIC DISCUSSION:  None/Closed

 

MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION WITH THE FOLLOWING VARIANCES; FRONT YARD VARIANCE OF 12.1 FT. WHERE THE APPLICANT IS PROVIDING 17.9 FT. WHERE 30 FT. IS REQUIRED, SIDE YARD SETBACK OF 6.7 FT. WHERE THE APPLICANT IS PROVIDING 8.3 FT. WHERE 15 FT. IS REQUIRED BY ORDINANCE, AND A TOTAL SIDE YARD SETBACK OF 11.9 FT. WHERE THE APPLICANT IS PROVIDING 23.1 FT. WHERE 35 FT. IS REQUIRED BY ORDINANCE: made by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Ludwig, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Ludwig, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

Application #09-03 Wanaque Manor Associates, Portion of Properties along Jefferson St. & Boulevard, Block 457 Lot 1 & Block 479 Lots 1 & 2 Amended Preliminary & Final Site Plan & Conditional Use Variance. Authorized Agent is

Peter A. Buchsbaum, Esq.

 

Attached are the minutes for this portion of the meeting transcribed by Karen Gagliardotto Kocsis, Certified Shorthand Reporter hired by Atty. Peter A. Buchsbaum who is representing Application #09-03 Wanaque Manor Associates.

 

PUBLIC DISCUSSION: None/Closed

 

RESOLUTIONS: None

 

CORRESPONDENCE:  No questions asked.

                                     

VOUCHERS:  submitted by Eng. William Gregor for Engineering Services for Application #21-03 Karpovich for $275.00, Application #22-03 Kera Investments for $110.00, Application#20-03 Hoyos for $110.00, for a Grand Total of $495.00.

 

MOTION TO APPROVE:  made by Member Grygus, seconded by Member Covelli, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Ludwig, Shutte and Demetriou.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  from the December 3, 2003 Meeting.

Atty. Faasse told the Court Stenographer she spelled his name wrong and also Member William Smith should have been Member Lee Smith.

 

MOTION TO APPROVE: made by Member Ludwig, seconded by Member Shutte, voting yes were Chairman Dunning, Members Grygus, Covelli, Hoffman, Ludwig and Shutte.  Member Demetriou not qualified.

 

ENGINEER’S REPORT: Chairman Dunning asked Eng. Gregor to contact the professional about Application #20-03 Hoyos and find out what’s going on with it. Eng. Gregor said he received a call from a surveyor who wanted to look at the property with regard to Application #22-03 Kera Investments, LLC.

 

DISCUSSION: Chairman Dunning said, everyone received a copy of the new Shed & Fence Ordinance. Chairman Dunning asked the members to please read over the section pertaining to corner properties. Chairman Dunning said information has to be submitted back to the Mayor & Council because he sees a lot of problems with this.

 

Member Grygus asked the Board Secretary to tell the Building Inspector, Jeff Brusco, that the Board would like to know the status of the Dunkin Donuts building with regard to signage. Eng. Gregor spoke up and said, the status is that they have submitted plans to him, however, he is not permitted to review the plans when they have an outstanding balance due and the Borough doesn’t have money to pay it.

Chairman Dunning asked the Board Secretary to speak to the Finance Officer, Mary Ann Brindisi with regard to Eng. Gregor’s out standing invoices.

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 10:50 P.M.: made by Member Ludwig, seconded by Member Hoffman, carried by a voice vote.

 

 

____________________________________

 

Gerri Marotta

Secretary to Board of Adjustment