Township of Medicine Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting of March 31st, 2026 and now in session. Adequate notice of this meeting required by the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice published in the Home News and Tribune of December 4th, 2025 as opposed to the
main lobby of municipal complex on December 4th, 2025. Please join me in pledge allegiance to the flagg of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for
all. Madam Secretary, roll call, please. >> Mr. Sammon >> here. >> Mr. Aayat >> here. >> Mr. Chabra >> here. >> Mr. Certo >> here. >> Mr. Patel >> here. >> Mr. Sada >> here.
>> Vice Chair Gorman >> here. >> And chairman >> here. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Secretary. Madam Secretary, Minister consideration, please. Minutes of March 24th, 2026 for approval. >> What's the board's pleasure? >> Motion to approve.
>> Second. >> Motion made by Vice Chairman Ogorman. Second by Mr. Saddata. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Cerrito, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Sada, >> yes on the motion. Vice Chair Gorman.
>> And Chairman Gumba? >> Yes on the motion. Thank you. Uh, Madam Secretary, resolutions to be adopted. >> We have one resolution, Z8 2025, BAPS Edison LLC for approval. >> What's the board's pleasure?
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion made by Vice Chairman O'Gorman, second by Mr. Patel. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Cerrito, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Saha, >> yes to the motion. >> Vice Chair Gorman,
>> yes on the motion. and Chairman Kumba. >> Yes. On the motion. >> Thank you. >> We have one announcement for this evening. Case Z2 2020 Lamar Advertising at Penn LLC at 81 and 101 US Highway 1 has been carried to June 23rd, 2026 with
no renotice required. If you're here for this case, Z2 2020, Lamar Advertising of Penn LLC, uh it will not be heard this evening. will be heard on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026 with a meeting beginning at 7 p.m. here in council chambers.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is a special meeting of the Township of Edison zoning board of adjustment. The board is composed of Edison Township residents appointed by the municipal council who volunteer their time and service to the board. Munipal land use law requires that members successfully complete a land use training course administered by the New Jersey
Department of Community Affairs. This board also holds in-house training conducted by our board professionals. The zoning board abides by the provision of the mipal land use law in addition to our board's bylaws. The zoning board is a quasi judicial land use board which differs from the township planning board. Under the miscellaneous law,
board members are required to be impartial and are not allowed to discuss any case being considered at a hearing. Excuse me, discuss any case prior to being considered at a hearing. All applicants will have the opportunity to present their case before the board along with the opportunity for board members and board professionals to question the applicant and their
witnesses. At the conclusion of the applicant's presentation of their case, the case will open to the public. Residents within 200 feet of subject property will be heard, followed by residents from outside of 200 feet. All residents will be sworn in. They'll provide their name and address, and they'll be given six minutes to comment on the application being considered
without the opportunity for a rebuttal. Residents may ask questions of the applicant, the applicants professionals, and board professionals. The board requests these questions are asked prior to any commentary being made on the application. Once commentary begins, the resident's timer will begin. The applicant will be allowed the
opportunity for cross-examination of their witnesses. Under the law, the chair is allowed to stop any commentary which is repetitive or an attempt to filibuster the board. Further, the chair is allowed to stop is allowed to stop any commentary that is irrelevant to the case or prohibited from the board's consideration.
Once the public portion is closed, all public comments are ended unless new testimony is presented by the applicant. Following the closure of the public portion, the applicant will have the right of summation on their application. Following summation, the case will go to the board for a decision. This procedure has been followed by the board and is
similar to the procedures followed by boards of adjustments statewide. Munipal land use law requires the board to engage in a balancing act and is not required to strictly apply township ordinances, zoning plan, or master plan. As a board of adjustment, variances are granted when appropriately necessary
following all legal considerations. As has been the case with prior boards, this board will see where we're at. If we are still in session around 10:30 p.m. I hope that's not a problem this evening. Please do not prove me wrong. Um, I ask that all applicants, professionals, and residents show respect to each other and be civil
throughout all proceedings. I ask that you withhold applause, booing, or interrupting of anyone while they're speaking. The chair will not tolerate any outbursts by applicants, professionals, or the public. Further, since most cases are being reported by a court reporter, I ask the speakers do
not speak over one another. Madam Secretary, first case on the agenda, >> I would just like to note that Mr. Deendra has showed up. >> Good evening, Mr. Davia. >> Um, we're gonna >> we're going to do case one first. >> We're going to do case one. Yep.
>> Case number Z1, 2026, Ronach Park at 61 Livingston A. Applicant is seeking uh use variances to to construct a second story addition to the existing single family dwelling. The following standards have not been met. Max F
required is 25% proposed as 29.8%. Affected property is located in the RA zone designated as block number 108 lot number three on the Edison Township tax map. All noticing paperwork is in order. >> Good evening. >> Good evening
members of the board. Um my name is Tim Little. I am an attorney at 517 Amboy Avenue in Woodbridge, New Jersey. I'm here to represent the applicant who is the owner of 61 Livingston Avenue, block 108, lot three. Um, tonight's uh
variance is a Dvariance, which has to do with floor area uh ratio uh being at 29.1% where 25% is allowed uh in this RA zone. uh this variance uh is being sought to
accommodate uh ADA accessibility requirements for my clients elderly and uh ill parents uh in addition to satisfying the legal arguments uh for such a variance. Um this application originally started out at a much broader
uh scope but it has been paired down to just this one variance and uh towards that I I would indicate to the board we have a ble property uh which is being expanded in the back it's not creating any bulk variance but it is creating the
floor area ratio uh for ADA compliance living space. Um, as our uh testimony tonight, I'm going to have uh uh one of the owners who works in the handicapped uh area for her profession to speak as
to the necessity of what they're doing within the house. Uh I will then have our professional architect testify and finally the professional planner testify as to the legal requirements for this type of variance. So with that, I would like to call my first witness, Sheetel
Panda. Good evening. >> Could you raise your right hand? >> Uh, do you swear or affirm the the testimony you will give tonight will be truthful? >> Yes, I do. >> Could you state your name and address for the record, please? >> My name is Sheil Periq at 61 Livingston
Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08820. >> Periq, uh, you are one of the owners of the property. That's correct. >> You own it with your husband? >> Yes. >> All right. Can you tell the board in your own words uh what's uh what you seek what are you seeking to do and why
are you doing it for your property? >> Yes. So, professionally, I'm an occupational therapist who works in home care. So, firsthand, I get to see how people live in their homes and the importance of ADA compliance and making
modifications to keep elderly people safe in their own environment. We have two parents with complex medical needs. Um, one of them is a cancer survivor and luckily he's in remission right now which we're grateful for.
However, because of the oncology medication, he has a lot of side effects. One of them being that he has neuropathy which affects his balance. Um over the last couple of years he's had multiple falls and it had very
concerning for us. Um so we you know as children um our roles have kind of changed and we're looking to move our parents in with us and in order to do that we need to create a
space for him to be safe in our current existing home. We've lived there for about 17 years. We've had our children there, celebrated many milestones. Now we're at a point in our lives where we want to, you know, be able to take care
of them in our home in a neighborhood that we love. So, one of the things that we've done is we've moved one of the bedrooms to the lower level. So our traditional you know by level the bedrooms in the lower level we have a
bathroom where we wish to create a ADA accessible bathroom you know with a door width of at least 36 in in order for the wheelchair which we feel my father-in-law will need soon. Um, we do
need a 60in diameter for the wheelchair to be able to be maneuvered easily and uh with ease. Um, along with that, we have we've also going to be moving the kitchen to the lower level. Um, that way
he can engage in social activities and be able to spend time with the family. This also allows him to if he has to exit the home safely in an emergency or even just to get to his appointments with ease. Um when coming up with the
design, we really thought about the basic necessities that we needed. We needed a bathroom, a bedroom, and a kitchen on that first level. And that's what our design is meant to demonstrate. The only uh people that live in your
home now and in the future are your immediate family. >> That's correct. Yes. >> I have no other uh questions of my client as to the general view of this. >> Thank you so much. Does the board have any questions for Miss Per?
>> Mr. Chairman, vice chairman, >> you mentioned about the uh wheelchair. How are they going to get in in and out of the house with a wheelchair? >> How Okay. So from that level we have access to the garage which is all on the same level. There's also a patio door so
if needed a ramp can be built easily or we can put a portable ramp there. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions for Mr. Periq? See none. Thank you so much. We appreciate it. >> Now call our licensed architect Ronald
Cadmartski. You raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony you will give tonight will be the truth? >> Do you state your name and address for the record, please? >> Ronald Kasmarski. Office is located at 370 Mac Lane in Jersey in Ryan Center. And
>> Mr. Mr. Kazmarski if you could just please give the board uh the brief summary of your background and qualifications. >> Sure. So I'm a licensed New Jersey architect. I attended NGIT which is New Jersey Institute of Technology. I received architectural license in New Jersey in 1997. I've been practicing in
most of the counties um in New Jersey. Have testified before this board before and numerous. >> And your license is current and good standing? >> Yes. >> Great. Thank you so much. You may proceed. Dr. Kez Marski, uh, you've been retained to design the living space that
our clients wishes to do at 61 Livingston Avenue. >> Yes. And >> can you give the board an overview of what is going to happen on to the interior of the property, please? >> So, what we the first thing we had to do was take their general living space and
bring it to the lower level. So what we designed was a a kitchen which was going to come down on the main level, a dining area, a living area, and a family room. Also create a bathroom because the I'm sorry, a bedroom because that bedroom
with the bathroom would now be for parent of the owner to occupy at that level. So currently the house has four bedrooms and the additional requirements from that would be one additional bedroom. Um on the plan I think one of
the notes was that their comments is there's actually seven. So I label it a a bedroom potentially because it's a room with a window and a closet. However, the family use for those rooms would be a home office and a therapy
room. So the scope of the project is um kitchen, living room, dining room, family room and bedroom on the first level with an expanded garage area and the second floor would have the additional rooms. Mar, before you
proceed, can you just move move the microphone a little closer? >> There you go. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. So in designing the the main level uh one of the considerations was the maneuverability area in uh within the
rooms. So the kitchen and the island area circulation around the island and then potentially maneuvering into family room, dining room and living room. So anticipating furniture layouts and then maneuverability around those areas
created the space that we needed on that main level. Um you did mention the access. So the rear access is at grade. Um the front access does have a stairway. So potentially we would have a rear access at grade or a garage access
with probably a small ramp because it's about 8 in up from that level. And then in addition to that, the other bedrooms were located on the second floor. And then we took the space that was created on the first floor and just squared off that area to create the
extra rooms upstairs. And then tried to keep the design consistent with the current design of the house and then consistent with design in the neighborhood for that BLE structure. >> Design of this house as proposed fit
into this neighborhood? It >> does. Nothing awkward in terms of use. >> No. >> Um I know you brought plans with you tonight, but those are the same plans that have already been uh provided to the township. >> Correct.
>> Board have any questions of Mr. Kmarski? >> Board have any questions for Mr. Kmarski? >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yeah, Mr. Chairman. >> Mr. Z's got it first there. Mr. Davi. Wait, wait, wait. >> Deender Chris rolled in first. >> I'm sorry. You got it.
>> Does the house has a basement? >> No. >> By level. >> By level. >> Oh, >> so no, there's just a lower level which is um shown as first level on the plan and then upper level which is the second floor. There's no basement in the house. >> Okay. Thank you,
>> Mr. Z. >> Yeah. >> So, the parents are not going to go on the second floor. They're going to stay basic on lower floor, right? >> Correct. Correct. >> Right. So, lower floor has a one full bath and one half bath. The powder room.
>> Um, it looks like that the full bath does not meet the ADA 5T radius criteria for a handicap chair. >> Um, so basically the current layout has three foot opening for the door width
and then three-foot aisle access and turning radius of six feet. However, given the size of that bedroom, um I know this wouldn't be a variance concern, but potentially that bedroom as we implement, you know, the approval
with the space that we have, it can be enlarged. >> Can you make sure that it becomes a handicap access that closet can be removed probably and make a so you have five foot radius there? That exactly >> and I think we spoke about that but that
had already been submitted and we thought already reviewed the plans but that interior layout for that room will pro we probably will not have a linen closet just to create more space >> reason you're trying to get the variance for the hardship to the elderly parents
and does not meet the criteria. So I think with that said, we would remove that linen closet and make sure that there's ample space for the chair. >> Okay. Good. Thank you. >> And you would agree to a condition of that that and then just submit revised plans reflecting that?
>> Yes. >> Great. Thank you very much. Any other questions, >> Mr. Chair? Mr. Ch. Um, so for your just a question. Was the impervious uh calculated impervious? Uh, I see that there's a patio proposed that's almost 850 square ft. Is that a new patio
that's existing or what's with that? >> So, that's that's a new patio and there's no imperous surf surface variance. >> That's that's been calculated on your end or >> Yes. Y >> Okay. Is that something that has to be submitted to the board?
>> We're not uh I mean certainly that was on the plan. We were not uh told that that was a variance that would be needed. >> Okay. >> This is it was our understanding the application was limited to the floor
area ratio. >> Mr. um apparently the property meets the lot coverage so no variances required. >> Thank you. Okay. And any other questions from the board for excuse me Mr. Kmarski
see none. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. >> I will call uh Paul Fletcher as a professional planner. You raise your right hand. Do you swear affirm the testimony you give tonight will be the truth? >> Your name and address for the record,
please. >> Yes. Paul J. Fletcher. Business address 54 West Pond Road in Hope, New Jersey. >> Mr. Fletcher, you have appeared before the board prior. if you could please give us the bene the benefit of a summary of your background qualifications.
>> Certainly. Uh I'm a graduate from the University of Toronto, Bachelor of Applied Science. I'm the principal of Fletcher Engineering. I'm a licensed professional engineer and professional planner in the state of New Jersey. Uh I've testified
in front of uh numerous boards uh notably Edison, Woodbridge, Discatoaway. I've Uh, I'm sure you recognize my face. I've been here a lot. >> That we do. License are current in good standing. >> They are. >> We'll accept. You may proceed. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you, Mr. >> Fletcher. Uh, could you give the board uh a background of what is the scope of the legal standard that needs to be applied on this type of a D2 variance?
>> Yes. Uh, it's actually a D4 variant. >> D4, excuse me. >> No problem. Uh this type of variance is often referred to as a use variance. Uh strictly speaking, it's not uh a use variance. It's it is uh a use variance falls under
the D category. Uh a D1 is a true use variance. Uh a D2 is an expansion of a non-conforming use. Uh a D3 variance is a conditional use variance. A D4
variance is a an F variance exceeding the the allowable floor area ratio. Uh and what uh case law has uh told us is that uh essentially the the board's uh focus in this kind of a
variance uh should be focused on whether the site will accommodate uh any problems associated with the proposed permitted use but with a larger floor area uh than permitted by ordinance. Again, uh this is a permitted
use single family dwelling. Uh so the question is really can the can the site accommodate it? Well, I I would suggest to the board that indeed it can. The uh and I point to the fact that the floor area rat sorry the uh lot coverage by
building uh is within the allowable standard. We're not asking for variance there. uh we're not asking for a variance for uh total impervious. We're only asking for a variance uh for the floor area ratio. Uh and that's an
internal measure of the floor area. In fact, uh many homes uh uh in Edison have uh uh twotory foyers, twotory uh family
rooms that would uh equal the same mass as this house uh but would be uh less floor area ratio as as determined by the the Edison definition of floor area.
Uh so again the board needs to decide whether this uh floor ratio can be handled by the by the lot and and as I mentioned I believe it
can be uh however we have to address the negative criteria uh because the variance can only be uh granted uh by showing that there's uh no uh substantial detriment to the
public good. Uh and there would be no substantial uh impairment or of the intent and purpose of the zone plan or the zoning ordinance or the master plan. Uh and I suggested that this is a permitted use uh in the zone. Uh it is
not going to appear out of place. It's within the character of the neighborhood. Uh and the mass of the building is not excessive. uh and uh I see no adverse impact uh uh to the neighborhood or to the uh general
public. For those reasons, I think the board has the ability and the authority to to grant these variances. This variance >> are there are no other variances sought in terms of bulk variances or this is the sole variance applicable to this
application. >> That is correct. No other questions of our >> board have any questions for Mr. Fletcher? >> I have a question. Vice Chairman in reference to the characteristics of the neighborhood. Is there other FAR
similar in a neighborhood? >> I'm I'm I do not know that answer. >> Thank you. Any other questions, Mr. Fletcher? Seeing none. Thank you very much, Mr. Fletcher. Mr. >> Gorman, an answer uh to your question though, I think there have been other
floor f approvals by this board in a similar percentages and we have those uh property addresses if you're interested. >> Absolutely. And uh Gantor Court, >> do you have a sheet? You have a a whole
list that you can distribute. >> I can give you uh something from my notes if that's uh I could do that. Um Mark, this is A1. >> Give us what you have. >> Okay, this is marked A1 and it's says
comparative analysis. >> Mr. Mr. Little, you're not on microphone, so if you take you take the microphone with you if you want to if you want to talk speak to it. >> Um, it's A1 and it is a list of uh three other properties, two on this uh street
I believe. Uh 10 Gentor Court, 91 Livingston Avenue, and 61 Livingston Avenue, which excuse me, which is our present application. So that's uh there are two other similar ones but I'll present this to the board as a one with
I think we have the dates as to those other approvals. Okay. Thank you very much, Mr. Little. Um, is that your direct testimony? >> It is. Okay. Uh, you know, other than my closing, which I would come back to after any public comment. >> Great. Thank you. So, we'll now go out
to the public. Anyone within 200 feet of subject site wanting to be heard, if you're within 200 feet of subject site, you received the notice via certified mail, please approach. >> Speak in the uh from the >> from the podium. Yes, please. Could you raise your right hand? Excuse me. Do
you swear or affirm the testimony you give tonight would be the truth? >> I do. >> Can you say your name and address for the record, please? >> Sachin Gupta, 60 Livingston Avenue, Edison, New Jersey. Suchin Gupta. S A C H I N. Gu
You may proceed. Thank you very much. So uh I've been living uh in 60 Livingston Avenue for last 12 13 years and Ronach is a good friend of mine. Uh it's a wonderful neighborhood and I
believe uh he should be getting this approval uh so that his parents can move in easily. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. You raise your right hand. Repeat after me. Do you swear for tell the truth and
testimony here tonight. Say your name and address for the record, please. Raavendra Rajani, 62 Livingston Avenue, Ed, New Jersey. R A G H A V E N D R A. Last name is R A
J N A H A L L I. You may proceed. Thank you very much. Ronak >> is like a neighbor and then I stay there in last 10 years and then he's a very good friend of mine and then I have seen their parents and their condition. So I
definitely like uh like to get an approval for him so that uh it'll be helpful for him and uh taking care of his parents also. >> Great. Thank you so much. We appreciate it. Good evening. Can you raise your hand? Raise your hand. Do you swear and tell the truth in
your testimony here tonight? Can you say your name and address for the record? >> My name is Kiran Ready. K I R A N R E D Y 6 Livingston Avenue across street from Ronach. is a good uh friend and an excellent
>> you speaking to the microphone please sir. >> Yeah and we are fully supportive of uh the modifications they want to do to their residents to be able to accommodate their parents. >> Great thank you so much. Anyone within 200 feet oft subject site wanting to be heard please approach. Any from anyone from outside 200 feet of
subject site? >> You raise your right hand. Repeat after me. Do you swear affirm to tell the truth in your testimony here tonight? >> Yes. >> You state your name and address for the record, please? >> Yes. My name is AJ Bombry. Uh my address is 26 Parker Road, Edison, New Jersey 08820.
Absolutely. Last name, uh BH A B R I. Yep. Good evening, members of the board. My name is AJ Bombry. Um, as I stated, I live on 26 Parker Road, directly nearby to the applicant's property. I'm here
today in support of my neighbor Ronic and Shetol's request for a variance. I've lived in this neighborhood now for 13 years and have known most uh them to be very responsible and considerate neighbors uh throughout my time um at
Parker Road. Our kids have grown up together. Uh we view each other like family, sharing everything from neighborhood watch to block parties, picking up and dropping off each other's kids to school. Having reviewed the proposed project, I
think it reflects the kind of thoughtful improvement that strengthens our neighborhood. Uh, the Pars have my full support and I'm confident this project will be handled responsibly. I want to thank you all for your time and service to our community. >> Thank you so much. We appreciate it.
Anyone outside 200 ft of subject site wanted to be heard? >> Seeing none, can I get a motion to close the public portion? >> Motion to close public portion. Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Mr. Patel, second by Mr. Sado. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. Public portion is now closed. Mr. Little, if
you have someation. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, while all zoning applications have a personal element to them for uh as a homeowner, this one is particularly personal when uh children are seeking to take care of their elderly parents and
they're bringing them within their own home. They're spending significant monies to do this. They're taking care of them. uh as a good family and a good son and daughter-in-law would do. Um that element of this I think is is certainly overriding in terms of uh the
hardship this would create if they're not able to bring uh these accommodations to them. Um this is a unique application and this type of variance it's something that you're not going to see from the outside. Um it it
it is uh from the outside uh similar uh neighborhood. Uh no um huge structure being built. It fits into the lot and to the rest of the neighborhood. Um you have an idea of the type of people uh my
clients are by various neighbors testifying as to their good character and their good reasons for this and that they are not opposed for the development of this property. uh this property uh and the the variance saw it in this site does accommodate uh the the floor area
ratio intent in intensity uh it's like roughly 4.8% any% above what the township is allowed. And I suggest that that is a uh not as significant of a variance as it could be in other bulk
variances. And for those reasons, um I would ask the board favorably consider our my client's application for this floor area ratio variant. >> Thank you very much. We'll go to the board. >> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Dav, >> I make a motion to approve the application. The applicant has met all
the negative and positive criteria. The site is particularly suited for the intended use. The use is not detriment to the public good or public safety. It would enhance the neighborhood. Um this approval will relieve the family from the hardship of taking care of the
elderly physically challenged parents with the condition that the first floor bathroom uh would be make made the handicap accessible and the the permanent ramp installed in the garage to carry the handicap chair. >> Second
>> motion made by by Mr. Dav, second by Mr. Sedata. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes on the motion, >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Cerrito, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Det, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Sada, >> yes to the motion. >> Vice Chair Gorman,
>> yes on a motion. >> And Chairman Gumbo, >> uh, first I just wanted to thank uh, thank you for presenting this to this board. Uh, what you're doing is very very admirable. Uh, we um, we commend you for that. Uh, and uh, your neighbors speak very very and friends speak very very highly of you and that's uh, that's
a testament to you. So uh, it's good to it's good to hear things like that. Um, so please keep keep up the good work. Uh, and I vote yes on the motion. Unanimous approval. Congratulations. Thank you so much. >> Thank you very much. Madam Secretary, next case on the agenda, please.
>> Case number Z4, 2026, Solomon Afua at 95 Bernard Street. Applicant is seeking bulk variances to construct an attached garage to the existing single family dwelling. The following standards have not been met. Front yard setback required is 25 ft. Proposed is 23.3
feet. One sideyard setback required is 12 feet. Proposed is 6.37 ft. And both sideyard setback required is 18 ft. Proposed is 12.31 ft. Affected property is in the RB zone. Designated as block number 787, lot number 21 on the Edison
Township tax map. All noticing paperwork is in order. >> Is the applicant here? Please come up. Have a seat. Make yourself come. >> And our attorney will swear you in. >> Could you raise your right hand and repeat after me? >> Do you swear affirm to tell the truth in
your testimony here tonight? >> You state your name and address for the record, please. My name is Solomon Aua, 95 Bernard Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08837. >> Good evening, Mr. Aua. Um, if you could please tell the board what you'd like to
do and why you'd like to do it. >> Yes, we we are planning to build a car garage attached to the house. >> Okay. I'm going to need you to speak to your application a little more because we're going need to put put testimony on the record.
>> Okay. Um I uh I I contracted and uh an architect to uh draw up the plans for the car garage and uh he did a zoning analysis and uh in in in the event of in the
process of doing that he discovered that uh we if we continue to build the garage as planned we are going to need a variance because we're going to be short uh in terms of the front set back. uh one of the sides set back and then the
combined setback and we're going to need a variance uh application with the city and that's the reason why we applied for the variance. That's your direct testimony. >> That's that's what you that's your testimony. >> That's my testimony. >> Okay. Does the board have any questions
for Mr. Mr. Chair, I have a question for the applicant. Mr. Chabra, um, so do you plan on tying is it going to be like a a connection to the house? Is it what kind of garage you're going to be attaching to the existing frame or?
>> Yeah, it's going to be attached to an existing wall and uh there's going to be a connecting door between between the garage and uh the house. >> Okay. And what is the use going to be for the garage? >> It's going to be for storage of my vehicles.
>> Okay. >> Could you could you explain for the board what made you bring this application? Why why are you looking to construct a garage? >> Uh yes. Um, we've been thinking about uh doing the garage for for a very long
time because our vehicles have been uh on they've been on the on the driveway exposed to uh the weather uh snow, rain, uh the sunlight and all that. And uh we had two options, you know, um while we
were thinking about the garage. One of the options is build the garage at the back of the house where we have a little more space uh versus um build one that's attached to the house. >> And um we talked about the various um
scenarios and we and we decided we're going to build a garage as an attached garage to the house. uh reason is it the garage that's attached to the house has a a lot of u advantages compared to u a
detached garage. I mean one one of them is the fact that uh it's going to offer us some convenience you know especially when the weather is bad it's raining or it's snowing and uh we need to bring groceries from the car to the house and back and forth and all that. uh is going
to offer us uh that convenience. And uh secondly, uh it offers us um a little bit of more safety, you know, um moving between the the house and the and the garage and and back and forth. And
uh apart from that, it's going to cost us maybe about 20% less to construct because I uh we hired the contractor just to take a look at the the proposal and uh
uh the the price the price they gave uh to us was like8 to $10,000 more if the garage is detached because uh it's going to take If we have an attached garage, it's going to take
advantage of of the the existing wall. So, it's going to cost them a little u it's going to cost us less to build an attached garage compared to building the one that is detached. And uh u secondly the is going to um having spoken to a
couple of other contractors they uh they told me that is going the building an attached garage is going to improve the value of the house much more than one that is detached. And uh again um by profession I'm a pharmacist and I and I work in the
hospital. I I come back home late from work most of the time between um 11:30 and 12:00 pm. And um sometimes it's very hard for me moving from the car to the house, you know, looking back and forth to make sure uh
I'm safe. you know, I'm getting older and uh we we feel that having the garage with with an electric uh um mo um doors and all that is going to offer us more safety and security, you know, more
going from the car to the house and and all that. And then again, um, whenever there is snow like we had in recent weeks, uh, it's going to be easier for us to, uh, to be able to move the snow, clear
the snow in front of the because we're going to have about 25 ft or thereabout between the garage and the street. it's going to be much easier for us to uh clear the snow versus clearing um the snow all the way from the back from the back of the house about 125 ft
to be able to get the car out of the out of the garage. So, uh having looked at all the uh pros and cons of having um the an attached garage versus a detached garage, we decided um our best option is to have one that's
attached to the house. Thank you so much. And uh within your neighborhood, are there similar similar attached garages? >> Yes, >> there are. >> Very many. >> And similar uh setbacks as well. >> Yeah, similar setbacks. Correct.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you so much. Um do you have anything else to add? >> Um no. >> So we'll now go out to the public. Anyone within 200 feet of subject site wanting to be heard? If you're within 200 feet of subject site, you receive the notice via via certified mail.
Seeing none, we'll go outside 200 feet. Seeing none, can I get a motion to close the public portion? >> Motion to close. >> Second. >> Motion made by Mr. Sadata, second by Mr. Patel. All in favor signify by saying I. >> Oppos? Nay. The eyes have it. Public portion is now closed. And I'll go to the board.
>> Mr. Chairman, >> Mr. Dave, >> I make a motion to approve this application. Um, it is a very dimminimous request. Is not detriment to the neighborhood. It would enhance the neighborhood. It's not out of character with the neighborhood and there are no objectors.
Is that second? >> Motion made by Mr. Dav, second by Mr. Sedat. Roll call, please. >> Mr. Patel, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Chabra, >> yes to the motion. >> Mr. Certo, >> yes on the motion. >> Mr. Dvet, >> yes on the motion.
>> Mr. Sada, >> yes to the motion. >> Vice Chair Gorman, >> yes on the motion. >> And Chairman Gumba, >> yes on the motion. Unanous approval. Congratulations. >> Thank you very much. >> Good luck. We appreciate it. >> Madam Secretary, uh can you just read
the uh notice of executive session? >> Executive session for case number Z53 2019 American Outdoor at 737 New Dirham A. >> Can I get a motion to go in close session? >> Motion to go close session.
>> Second. >> Motion made by Vice Chairman Gorman, second by Mr. Pidell. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Nay. The eyes have it or will journ to close session. And we will be back. Can I get a motion return to public session?
>> Motion to return to public uh session. >> Second motion made by Mr. Podell, second by Vice Chairman Gorman. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Those nay eyes have it. Board return to public session. Madam Secretary, any additional business come before the board this evening? >> That'll be all this evening.
>> All right. All right. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Motion by Mr. Sada, second by Vice Chairman Gorman. All in favor signify by saying I. >> Those nay. The eyes have it. >> Have a good evening everyone.