Was that go? Is that okay? Please stand for the flag. >> Shalom. Thank you. Yeah, please call the role. >> Excused. >> Mr. Deltufo >> here. >> Mr. Smith >> here.
>> Miss Tangora >> here. >> Dr. Marquesy >> here. >> Mr. Corbanic >> here. >> Commissioner Scarpelli >> here. >> Mr. Tendia >> here. >> Mayor Kelly >> excused. >> Mr. Kazera
>> here. >> Mr. Contella >> here. Miss Reichesky >> here. >> Mr. Arudi >> here. Pursuant to the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of this meeting was included in the annual notice of the regular meetings for the
year 2026 as advertised in the Star Ledger on February 5th, 2026 and the Herald News and the Nutly Sun, November 20th, 2025 with a copy posted on the Township of Nutley bulletin board first floor town hall. A copy is filed in the
office of the township clerk and copies are available to the general public. Did we get minutes? We got minutes. I got my copy. All right. So, we got minutes. Thank you. We have minutes from uh March 18th. Uh did everybody read them and have an opportunity to discuss
any discussion? Any answers? Any questions? I'll take a motion. >> Second. All in favor? Thank you, Mr. You can hear it. >> Have my own mic tonight. This is pretty fancy.
I don't know what to share. >> Uh I have a couple of communications. One is uh bill from Miss Santier for attendance at preparation of meeting minutes for uh March 18, 2026 which were just approved by the board. It's the amount of $150 which I find to be fair and reasonable.
>> I'll hear a motion. >> Have a second. All in favor? >> I opposed. Abstensions. Thank you. And we got two communications from the city of Clifton. Uh it's actually just one, but that has the enclosure. It's a notice of public
hearing for the re-examination of their master plan. >> It's just notice to us to take no action with respect to that. But there's also a uh further notice with respect to the hearing that they're having to make a certain adjustments to the campus
uh that uh in terms of the subdivisions that were previously granted by that board. Uh and as I understand has to do with the uh construction of proposed Chick-fil-A,
a very big Chick-fil-A. It's like 73 parking spaces. So there' be a lot of lot of vehicles up here perhaps. In any event, there's nothing that we need to do with respect to that. It's on the side and uh is scheduled for hearing on
April 23. So those are the only communications I have this evening. Very good. Let the let the record show that Mayor Kelly just arrived. Okay. We have no new business. We have no memor memorizations of uh resolutions.
And we have our hearing this evening for 5:30 Franklin Avenue. You guys ready? >> Yes. >> Sorry. >> Okay. I actually have an update since you brought that up. I spoke to his wife today. Today is the best day he's had in
two weeks. Uh his infection is getting better. Uh I he got a gallbladder. >> Uh and uh he has pneumonia, but he's uh he they they they're taking care of that. They're taking the fluid out of his lungs. I talked to Mary today. This
is the most positive uh uh uh report that I've gotten from her. Uh I anticipate him being in the hospital probably at least another week. Uh, he was in there before and I don't know how many people know Anthony the way I know Anthony, but he's a stubborn Sicilian
and he went home and he shouldn't have and he went back and that's why he's there now and he's stuck there and he's been informed by two his two best friends that are like brothers to him that if he comes home early he we're going to pick him up and drag him there. Okay. But thank you. Thank you for picking up.
>> He's out. >> But say a little >> Yes. >> Silent attention. >> Silent attention to our friend Anthony. Thank you. Amen. Okay. 5:30. >> Mr. Chairman Avenue. Let's go.
>> Mr. Chairman, members of the board, Joshua Kudrey from the law firm of Sills, Cummus, and Gross. On behalf of the applicant, >> last name. >> First name is Josh, last name Kudre. K O O D as in David. R A Y Law Firm of Sills
Cummus and Gross on behalf of the applicant. So happy to be here this evening. Appreciate everyone's time. Um we are here to discuss a property located at 530 Franklin Avenue which is identified as block 31 lot 3107
on the municipalities tax maps. the the uh the propertyy's um currently improved with an existing mixed-use building uh ground floor commercial with an apartment above and we're seeking to retain the structure, renovate and modify it um and add an additional
apartment unit. So, it is a unique piece of property um if anyone's been there. Um it's slightly constrained as far as area for parking. We'll get to the parking, I'm sure. Um but we were proposing to put beautify the site um renovate the building completely and we
are seeking some variances associated with the application which our experts will get into. Um the property is situated in the B3 downtown business zoning district which permits mixeduse buildings which is what we're proposing. And for the record, I do want to acknowledge the engineering review
letter number one prepared by your board engineer dated April 1, 2026 and the planning review memo prepared by Mr. Ricky's office dated April 10, 2026. So, Mr. Chairman, we prepare before the hearings. We did review the letters and
we note two major items I think that we need to discuss primarily this evening. First and foremost is the architectural design of the building. Um, we do understand that the municipality will be looking for a different type of look. Um, we certainly think uh what we propose is very nice, but we want to fit
it within the community. We understand there are redevelopment efforts going on elsewhere within the vicinity. So, we want to complement that. So, we have our architect who will talk through what we're proposing as far as floor plan elevations as they were submitted. We'd like to gather the board's feedback, professionals feedback, and then
certainly look to amend the certainly the exterior facade to be something more complimentary. Okay. >> Okay. So that's first and foremost. And then second, um there were comments about the parking as I mentioned. Um it is a bit of a constrained site. Um we're trying to work within what's existing
today. Um we understand the board engineer has some concerns about the the parking arrangement and our engineer will speak to that. Um I do think probably what's going to happen, Mr. Chairman, is we'll make a commitment to seek parking off offsite somewhere to probably make up for what's being
proposed. Um but I'll let Mr. deck talk about that a little bit when he goes over the site and uh what we're proposing in further detail. Okay. So, I just wanted to set the stage. We certainly recognize um the comments. Big fan of facing your fears. Get in front of it. That's what we intend to do this
evening. Okay. Um as far as witnesses, I I have Edward Deck, who's our civil engineer, and Hike Ekashan, who is our architect. Those are the two witnesses we would intend to present this evening. And then just for the record, Mr. Chairman, if I may, um, as far as the
notice goes, I just want to get on the record that we mailed notice to property owners within 200 feet of the subject site. On April 1st, we published it in the Star Ledger on March 31st and in the probably longest newspaper name I've seen in a long time, Belle uh,
Belleville, Bloomfield, Glenidge, Netley Times on April 2nd, 2026. And we submitted an affidavit of service to the board on April 7th, 2026. So I just ask if council could confirm receipt of that and sufficiency of the notice >> as
great. Thank you. Okay. So without further ado, I'd like to call our first witness, Mr. Edward Deck. >> Sure. put it in front of Dave. >> In front of Dave here. >> Yeah, he is know who Dave is. I'm sorry.
>> Yeah, that's fine. >> I think members of the public want to view. >> Yeah, you can come around. >> Thank you. So Ed, um, >> before you begin, we're going to qualify you. Okay. >> Sure.
>> So if you can just again state and spell your name for the record. >> Edward, middle initial S, last name Dec DEC. >> Okay. And for the benefit of the board and the public, just give a brief background of your educational experience, professional work experience, and what licenses that you hold. >> Yes. I'm a graduate of New Jersey
Institute of Technology. I'm a licensed civil engineer land surveyor in the state of New Jersey. I am the principal of Guarella and Deck Associates. Been licensed since 1993 uh and 90 98 depending on which license.
Uh I've um never appeared uh in front of the Nutley planning board, but I have appeared in numerous planning boards within Essis County, Union County, Middle Sex County. >> Okay, Mr. Deck, we we accept you as >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I will tell you, Mr. Deck uh
was my expert on one of my first hearings that I did as a a young lawyer about 10 years ago. So, >> yeah, it was approved. So, hopefully that carries through. Um so, Ed, when we're going to start going through the plans, okay? And I'd ask you to start just give an overview of the existing
conditions, then take the board briefly through what's proposed, and then just to confirm, the plans you're going to be utilizing on the easel this evening to testify is what's been submitted to the board previously. Correct. >> That is correct. >> Okay. So no changes, no need to mark an exhibit, but just want to clarify. >> It's the same plan that's submitted to the board.
>> So why don't we take them through? >> Oh, you want to you want to mark it? Okay. >> Okay. As the whole packet or you want to do sheet by sheet? >> Yeah. Why don't we do that because it's hasn't changed. So we'll call this set A3 and I'll ask you to mark it just
using my pen with today's just so it's >> sure everything's formal. And then just when you're testifying, just please refer to a sheet for reference. Okay. >> Yep. Thanks. >> Okay. And then just clarity, >> I marked it as A1. We wanted to A3.
>> A3. >> Oh, I did. Okay. You're good. So used to doing A1. >> I was going to just confirm what what would A1 and A2 be? >> Okay. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> All right, go ahead. >> Okay. Um, what's been submitted to the
board is a uh plan set of three sheets. Uh, the first sheet is the cover sheet. It's entitled site plan of 530 Franklin Avenue, block 10, lot 3107. Uh, we have on the sheet is 200 foot radius map, a
um photo of the site and the adjoining properties, and also the zoning map. and we are in the B3 mixed use zone. The existing property um and I'll turn to the second sheet so we could see it
better as I'm describing it. On the uh the left hand side we have the proposed site plan and on the right hand side of the sheet it's the uh landscaping and lighting plan. Uh so
I'll direct your attention to the left side which is the site plan and what we show here is um the building in the proposed uh condition. The footprint is not changing. It's the uh um interior
and also the third floor that's being added to the building that's changing. We show the existing um grass area, existing pavement area which is shown here as along the building on the uh right hand side of
the building and then it's interrupted by the uh section of building that is uh connected to it and it goes almost directly to the property line. So there's no access between the front of that extension and the rear. The rear is
an open area. It's asphalted area but no parking uh is proposed there. Obviously uh we show on our proposed plan for parking spaces but these spaces are unders sized. And the reason that I
place them that way is that the intention is they're for uh employees only. So there would be um if someone needed to get out, they of course would be able to by uh conferring with the other employees on who needed to park
where and when. We also show what's called um a lighting uh isometric uh on the uh right side of the A going into the property. And um we show the street with the parking available public
parking in front of the property. And um there really other than the building itself that is the extent of the improvements. On sheet three,
I have a plan that shows in a larger scale vicinity of the adjoining lots and um we go all the way out to East High Street. And the shaded areas show where the driveway openings are on both sides of the street. So that kind of gives you
an idea of what kind of traffic uh we would be creating and what kind of traffic would be negotiating the front of our or going through the front of our site and uh we would be able to back up out onto uh Franklin Avenue and uh go in
either direction. the uh zoning chart. I'll refer back to sheet two and I'd like to also refer to the planners report at this point uh which describes the different variances
that we are proposing. the uh the planners report from Reed Planning uh site uh points out that the um permit for two-bedroom units with a square
footage of 961 ft were a minimum of required of 1175. Um the permit uh to permit 410 off streetet parking spaces of 8.99 ft off the uh off streetet parking that that
variance uh would be required and that's referring to this parking that we're showing alongside the building. I won't go into any of the detail when the variants talk about the building structure itself such as the uh bedroom units. I'll just highlight the uh
permits or should say variances that affect the site improvement itself. Uh the um parking spaces we're uh providing 9 by7 where 9 by8 is required. We're uh also
uh we have a driveway width of less than 24 feet where 24 feet is required and that is really uh an issue of what is there today and also how the proximity of the adjoining lot is to our property.
So we have a undersized driving width but that is what exists today and we have the tandem parking uh which is also a variance that we would be looking to to get. The lot width is a an existing
non-conforming and that's also a variance but it is an existing one and parking within 10 ft of the rightway of the street were less than that. So um that would be the extent of what we're looking for from the board for um
variance approvals. Uh and there are some comments about circulation of parking and uh the parking itself which I think I explained uh fairly uh >> so Ed just uh just to to talk about that for a minute. So we're preserving the
existing curb cut that provides access to the site. Correct. >> That's correct. The existing curve cut which will access the property is the same. We're not touching it >> and we're preserving the existing driveway as it exists today. >> The driveway is not changing. That is correct. >> Okay. And do you see any opportunities
on site to sort of gain additional cir circulation area or parking area >> on site? No. >> Without the exception of potentially ruining the front yard. Correct. >> That unless we were to do parking in the front yard, which I believe is not allowed. >> Right. and which would also require you
to expand the curb cut, >> right? Which may eliminate a already existing on street parking >> which are depicted on the plan sheet we're looking at right now. >> That is correct. >> Okay. Um yeah, and I think those are all the questions that I have for you right now.
I would like to give obviously the the board and and the board's professionals an opportunity to ask questions. I know. >> I'm the same way, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Uh, so we're going to open up uh questions to the board.
I'll start on my left here. Mr. Delta. >> Thanks. What's that circular thing showing? >> That is a light isol diagram of post lighting. You have a mic there, Jerry. I don't know if I can take this thing.
You can hear Can you hear me? >> Can you hear me? >> All right. Oh, so that's what that is. That's Is that annotated anyhow? How would I know that? >> Yeah. And I think um I don't want to speak for Mr. Deck, but we saw the other comments regarding the the lighting plan
and details. I think we could supplement the plan, Mr. Deck, right? To confirm conformance with the ordinance requirements. Okay, >> that is correct. >> Okay, great. I mean, as a general comment, I found the uh proposed site
plan a little hard to uh understand maybe because there's there's too much there's a lot of information on them. Um so, okay. So, we know what that is. That's the So, could you explain that then? >> The light is Yeah. Theuh diagram shows
the different intensities as it goes further away from the from the light poles and those intensities have um on here not very clearly shown because you're right they're clo but they would be uh minimum they would be from an
intensity of about three to four foot candles underneath the structure or the light to about 0.5 on the outside edge of the select diagram. And so I guess those little round circles are light poles. >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> If if you were able to access the rear go >> I was just going to ask him to confirm. Um our intention is to provide code compliant lighting. Right. So we'll confirm that. I just wanted to get that on the record. >> That's correct. >> Gotcha.
So anyway, basically this shows that uh all your proposed lighting, you know, doesn't affect uh anything outside your property line. >> That's correct. The light would be shielded. >> Okay. That was a softball. Okay.
>> Yeah. The uh the rear your rear lot. Let's talk a little bit about that. If you were able to access that, the rear property, right? say by knocking down that that little piece of building that you're proposing to use to provide your
stairwell. Would that provide could could you does that have turn enough turning radius in there to to make a usable parking lot for yourself? >> Well, I haven't put a uh a uh turning template on there. However, uh what
would happen is that probably have one most two cars that would be able to fit in there and they would have to do a Kturn type maneuver where they pull in head first towards lot 11 and then have to back and back out and rear end or in
reverse direct the rear of the car towards the rear of the property and then they would be able to drive out forward out towards Franklin. But I would say the most that could be expected would be uh two maybe three
with it being all employee parking but after that it would be difficult to have any kind of movement. >> Um do you show a spot for a dumpster? >> No. No I do not. Um is is that required?
>> Uh V3 zone for the retail? I thought it was going to be street side pickup, but uh I'm not sure if that's the way the barrel handles it. >> Okay. On the proposed uh site plan, the very first car that's parked, you know, close
first next to the building, right? The first one >> up at by the roadway. >> No, closest to the building, right? Okay. >> Is is there a proposed man door there that's not shown? Uh, I think that I have to defer that to the architect. I don't know.
>> Okay. Um, the only access points I show are the front and the rear. >> Yeah, I I I think there's a a door proposed right at that location, but we'll we'll wait for the architect, I guess. Okay. >> Because it may you may not be able to open the door if that car is parked
right up against the building. Yes. Okay. So, that you have to modify that um that drawing, >> right? >> Yes. Um the the uh handicap ramp to the left. I
don't see is the whole property a concrete sidewalk from the building to your property or fence line? I I don't see the border for the up ramp up portion of that ramp.
>> It would be uh concrete from the building to approximately 6 ft off the building and we have a 6 foot wide 6 foot 3-in wide setback. So there would be a uh wall or the concrete wall with
railing that'll be abudding or close to that lot line on lot. >> Okay. So that which is not shown. You're going to have to show shown. That's correct. >> Right. It just looks like an open area there, >> right? But that is a double or switchback type of >> configuration. So, you're going to have
to show uh some kind of edge treatment there. Right. >> Uh I How many offices are there? Because you're number three, but I don't see number two. >> Oh, that's an architecture question. >> Yeah, that'll be architecture. Yeah, I think when you ask offices within the within the >> No, the proposed. Yeah. Yeah. I think
there may be a problem with the numbering. Um I uh I don't see the existing curb cut. >> It would be the extension of the driveway that's shown. Uh you can see the curb and it would be the extension of the driveway. The actual flared
section of the curb I do not show. >> Right. So can you show that in some future? >> Yes. >> Right. I you make a point to say you're not I'm modifying it and then I looked I couldn't find it. So that would be
>> and it would just uh to go back to that question it would only be on the left side looking at the Sanding Street looking at the property. The right side would be the further or the continuation of the driveway cut for the access into lot nine. Okay. That's right along the
property line, right? >> Yeah. >> Well, we can show that. >> Sure. >> Um, wheelchair turning. That would be the architect >> inside the building. >> Outside. Can Can a Can a um someone in a
wheelchair after getting up the ramp turn into the front door? Well, the uh the ramp starts at the front of the building, goes along left side closest to the uh property line. Then there's a stationary or flat area
for uh the wheelchair to make the maneuver to go back up the ramp and then to the front door. >> Right. So, >> is there is there enough room on that platform for the a wheelchair bound person to Did anybody throw a template
on there to check? So I think Ed we're going to have to provide additional details for the ramp. >> Yeah. As a matter of fact now that we're looking at discussing this I'll make this into a much larger scale so we could actually look at the finer point. >> And then also Mr. Deck just to confirm we have to comply with all ADA.
>> Yeah they yes which it would there but it would be a much better I guess presentation to show it more. >> Absolutely. Yep. >> What about uh handicap parking? Is that required for the retail? I don't believe it is uh because it's we're only proposing five spaces. I don't think we
meet the threshold for ADA, but we'll confirm that too. >> Uh the proposed landscaping, can you discuss or is that an architectural question? >> No, I think Mr. D, >> can you can you >> I think it's pretty >> discuss that a little bit. >> Very limited. Yes, we have the existing grass area which will remain on both
sides of the sidewalk area and alongside the parking area and that would be the extent. We're not proposing to do anything in the rear or along the right side of the property. So, it's everything that's going to be in the front yard. >> What's going to in the final configuration? What's the rear yard
going to look like? >> Uh right now I just showed us being paved. I don't have any uh um we haven't at least not to my knowledge have any proposed improvements to that rear area other than the stairways.
>> And then lastly, uh drainage. Can you talk a little bit about your proposed drainage? >> Um well, other than roof leaders and uh maybe splash pads, uh the impervious coverage is not changing. So
>> pardon me. >> I think you're actually slightly improving it >> slightly. >> Right. Yeah. By my memory correct. >> But Mr. Deck, this is not a major development right from a storm water man. >> Oh no. No. >> So it's all uh surface draining right out to the street. >> Uh well in the area in the back will
probably be going towards the rear. I >> think that's it for me for now. Thank you. Thank you. >> Mayor, I'm good. >> I just have one party. You you proposed a few hypothetical
solos yet. >> So I actually think u the answer is no. But we are certainly going to investigate it. hear the commentary and we want it to operate safely and efficiently. Obviously for tenative building it's a self-regulating
feature. If you don't have good parking arrangement or some solution it's not going to benefit us in the long run. It won't benefit the municipality in the long run. So we're going to do our homework on that. >> Yeah. My question was along the same lines.
Um, can you just go back with something? You said block nine, parking in block nine. Is block nut lot? >> That's the adjoining lot. And the question was, is it used? >> Um, >> not us.
>> Yeah, not us. >> No, we're not proposing >> no parking at all within lot. >> Yeah. to to con to confirm, no improvements are proposed on any lot but the subject lot that we own. Lot 9 is the neighboring parcel. It actually would appear from the street
view as if it's a shared driveway, but it's not. There's no easement right or anything like that uh that we discovered in title. So, no changes to lot 9. We're not proposing to utilize lot 9 in any way. Understood. Yep. >> Yeah, I do know today it's funny. Uh I
went to the site, walked around a bit, um and I called our client and said, "Hey, there's a solution right across the street." Obviously, we learned about the redevelopment project. That's one option that we can certainly consider. There are other uh potentially options within the proximity of the site, but we understand we have to address the
parking. you're building now saying the public portion of the parking that >> well I I I I don't want to speak for the municipality but I do know that there is a process within the town to apply for parking permits. They were offered
overnight for a nominal fee. Um I I I'm just say I'm only relying on what I saw online and then made a quick call today and saw that. But we're we're investigating it. I agree. >> Certainly agreed. Yeah. >> I would skip.
>> Sure. I I think you guys are wfully unprepared. >> Right. >> My opinion. Uh I think that you're intensifying the use. You're adding another residential structure. You're under parking it. You're under parking
what you have. You don't have you don't have handicap spot because you got four spots. You should have nine according to our planner. Um, I I don't think off-site parking is going to solve this issue. I think you guys really need to
go back to the drawing board in my opinion before probably not. But that's where I'm appreciate the comment. >> You comment on parking as well and just point out that there is going to be a parking garage across the street and
there are going to be quite a few spaces there that are for public parking. So that may that may solve your issue in this problem. >> Yeah. And it's an option that again we're going to do everything we can to investigate the parking. I've been doing this long enough to understand a a a uh
a signal and it's very loud one. Right. We understand we have to address the parking >> years ago. the restaurant that's that was where meal is currently you know had parking it would have been
so >> issues see the issues over the years that things change properties change hands the the variance exists with their uh with the property and then the parking is not maintained or very partly
maintained we see that in uses that we've given throughout the years. It doesn't work. >> Doesn't work long term. >> So, we just went through >> a whole of redevelopment across the street. And
a big issue is parking. And there's going to be 165 apartment buildings up there. And all we're going to be left with is 75 spots for the public to use that that can include guests for the people that live there. So in my mind, and these guys know now how my mind
works, they were given permission and variances for over there. I don't think that that would include a development across the street. So you'd have to have your own parking is what I'm saying. >> I understand. I I certainly and I I didn't read that resolution or understand the conditions. I won't
pretend to. Um we will look into that and all other options that are available to us. We understand. >> My turn. >> Commissioner probably could have said it any better for me, but I will ask a couple quick questions. Um you said the
four random spots were for employees. >> That was the original intention. >> We plan on putting >> Yeah, that Mr. Mr. Chairman, great question. Yeah, I mean it's it is a it's something that the planner would probably touch on, but I I can do my best to muddle through it. There is the
concept of uh complimentary uses. You have the commercial component on the ground floor and then the residential on the upper floor. So, a shared parking scenario could work, but Mr. Chairman, I hear your question and I don't mean to dismiss it in any way. We we certainly understand. Yeah.
Um, so I mean I did have a couple other questions, but right now they're pretty much because um you guys got to do your homework. U there's a lot of options to cover your parking issue other than changing this and uh taking down the two
story where the where the uh the stairwell is. Maybe you want to go to one onebedroom apartment instead of two two bedroom. I mean you have a lot of options in front of them. I will give you this that piece of property needs to be fixed up. It's current condition is not not legal. Um but it's going to have
to it's going to have to make sense to this board and uh four cars tandem parked on Franklin Avenue in that area on a Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock when the kids go home for school ain't going to work.
>> Understood. Anybody any followup? I just I just want to add that whatever parking solution you guys come up with I think it should be self-contained with it a lot. I don't think looking outside is a solution for things change and it's it could create
issues down the line if for whatever reason you make a deal of an adjacent property owner. uh property changes hands and that that deals go away and then you're stuck with x number of tenants without barking or or
employees without parking. So I think the solution should primarily be tried to be found within the lot but >> just in addition with that rear lot I think you got to make that earl. So
we're gonna can't be can't be paid >> the rear lot behind the building >> behind our building. >> Yeah. >> Needs to be impervious. >> Okay. >> One other question you want to ask if
you are approved exactly how you present what is the percentage of her coverage going to be on that one? >> Believe it conforms but >> we confirm but Mr. Deck can confirm. Uh right now the uh allowable is 90% and
we're at 75.74. >> Have questions? >> No, no, no. You said >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> That's just Yeah, go ahead. You hang on to that. I'm hanging on to this one. We got a little routine going.
So like to call our architect. You should have one. Did that steal it? >> Okay. >> Hike, if you can just um state and spell your name for the record, please. >> My name is Hikeen. H A Y K. My last name is Xian. Uh, EK KS H.
>> Okay. And Hike, for the benefit of the board members and the public, please uh describe your educational background, professional experiences, and what licenses you hold. >> I graduated from NGIT with a bachelor's of architecture. Um, I currently hold an a license, architecture license in the
state of New Jersey. I'm the principal of uh Space and Mark architecture. Um I've been appearing in front of numerous boards um recently Chadam Summit and Livingston. Uh I don't recall appearing in front of this board but I have had a
few projects here. One of them is a Bedford house and a few other smaller ones instead. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Bedford House. >> Thank you. >> One win tonight. See? >> Um all right, Hike. And just to confirm for the record, you prepared the plans
that are being presented to the board this evening, correct? >> Yes, correct. >> Okay. So, why don't you just you heard the commentary and feedback. Why don't you take the board through sort of what they need, do you think they should know about the design and then let's importantly gather some feedback about the aesthetic and what the board is
going to be looking to see on a revision. >> I think uh >> A4 for the record. >> Thanks. We'll have to make some significant changes to accommodate parking situation if we're going to park on the if we are able to provide parking
on the property itself. But I want to go through the plans that we prepared here today uh to understand um your pref preferences regarding the aesthetics. Um just to give you a brief overview, this is the existing building. Um this is a
proposed floor plans. um where we're showing the existing and proposed. The dash lines um the walls with dash lines are the existing walls and the dark lines are the proposed uh the proposed walls. Um what we proposing here is
we're adding a ramp to bring the building to compliance for accessibility. This uh these dark lines that you're seeing in the front is the porch and the ramp. Um we do have a a small
um u window um over here. We're kind of um making that squaring that off for the aesthetics of the building. So we added a little um foundation and similarly on the left side we have a uh small
foundation for a um for uh a small addition here just to improve the uh exterior facade on that side. Uh other than that the existing basement is unfinished and we're proposing to keep it uh unfinished. On the first floor
we're keeping the loadbearing walls. There's currently a a office there with about uh similar to this layout. There's um two offices, um a kitchenet, uh bathroom. What we're
doing is we're relocating the stair uh for the apartment units we're proposing on the second floor and kind of modifying the inside layout. Um the layout has been designed so to meet the accessibility requirements. Although we
started this project in 2022, codes may have changed. I'm gonna go through it again and see if I have to update anything if any any accessibility codes uh have changed if this would be affected in any way. um to answer um uh
one of the questions uh we have at office one and three I believe uh the conference room was being considered as a office number two which we decided later on that we need a conference room so we changed it changed the name but I
uh I didn't update uh the office 3 I didn't change it to office 2 um on so coming in uh from the entrance uh you you come into the office space. We do have a exit to the backyard from
here. Um and the residential units would access the upper floors through through the stairwell um that goes up to the second and third floors. And these are the proposed second and third floors. Again, currently there's a
existing apartment on the second floor with two bedrooms and an attic space on top of that that's attached to that apartment that could be used as a wreck area or additional third bedroom. Uh we're here again keeping the existing walls
and uh modifying um other ones to um to create this uh floor plan where we are proposing a open kitchen and uh dining and living space in the back. Um and we do have two bathrooms for two bedrooms.
This would be one unit and the second unit would be on the third floor. It's stacked on top of this. The layout is stacked similarly to the uh second floor with that
we're proposing and you can see here um the renderings uh we tried to make it look as realistic as possible. >> Hike I think we should just for the record just mark this as A5 um architectural rendering even though it was submitted.
>> We did submit this. I just kind of modified. It's the same rendering. I I modified it for the presentation, but we can This could be an exhibit A5. >> You didn't modify. You just took the top one. >> Yeah, correct. >> Right. You didn't mod you didn't change
it. >> No, no, I didn't change the rendering. I I uh >> the prior one had >> I added this one and these two angled shots. And this is the front elevation. And >> we'll get an electronic copy of that submit to the board. We did draw a front
uh elevation for context elevation uh where you can see we do have a uh a funeral home. To the left we have a parking space. So it's pretty far out to the left from our building. And to the right uh we have a a restaurant. And
this is a picture that was taken uh last year. and we uh we placed our building our design uh for you to be able to see how it would look. Um we are going for a a modern look uh but not trying not to
be too modern, too contemporary so we can fit within the context of the street. Um there are a lot of uh buildings on that on that street. Some are traditional, some are more uh commercial. So we we decided to be um
somewhere in between that that would fit uh well uh to the side. We did study other options as well. I I brought those as an exhibit if you like to see them. Uh I can I can't give it out. >> Hang on a second. So Hike, what we're
going to be passing out um I want you to describe it while I give one to council, the chairman, and pass to the board. So this is the same building but with diff different facade. We've we had been uh studying different variations looks of
the building with the client and you can see that's here you can see that existing babe window that I was talking about earlier. Um so there we we were looking it's the same layout. So we can achieve this look without changing the
layout. um where we have two different mansard roofs to kind of break up it breaks up the uh facade, makes the building seem a little lower even though it's the same height. um as more I I
believe design study B adds more decorative elements and design study A uh feels more uh commercial um with with the decorative materials that's removed from the from the facade.
So, I wanted to show those to you to see if you like um if you like the any of the aesthetics or if you want if you want us to go a different direction. Um we're open to it. >> Yeah. >> And then just for the record, we'll mark this hike as A6 and we'll just call it
um architectural alternatives. >> And um that's the end of my presentation. I'll take your questions. I'm I'm just gonna start um because talking about what the building might look like. The building on the right and
restaurant is it's not the nicest building in the world, but it's got some lines to it. The building on the left is that classic nothing building. Every building you know should >> I don't have any questions for you. I said that >> Mr. Sher the building on the left the
>> the funeral home. Okay. I just wanted to confirm. Yep. >> 85 years >> for a reason. So >> I'll start on this side. Sir, I don't have back. >> No, I don't have questions.
Commissioner, >> uh, uh, why decided to go three floors and two units upstairs? >> Um, we sort of had something close to it. Um, we did have another unit
upstairs with an attic and just adding a little bit more, I think we we could get more use out of this property. um improve it and um and for that reason that was our program
that we were working working with >> on the on the uh the red. >> Mhm. >> How tall is your building going to be? from grade we're um proposing to be around 34 feet but uh the engineer would
have the more >> exact number >> and the the building on the right is closer than 40 ft >> I believe so we estimated it we we don't have access to that building um so we estimated by eye but
>> it feels two floors >> it feels larger because it's closer to the camera >> yeah I know that's my Right. So, it's on two floors, >> right? >> Right. And you're showing that it's taller than your threetory building. >> Right.
>> Have to see that in real life. >> Well, and and hiked. I believe a maximum of 40 feet is permitted in the zone. So, right. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But the the reason for the rendering, right, is so we can see the perspective >> of, you know, in real real terms. And I'm not sure that that rendering
is uh giving us that. Yeah. But anyway, um yeah, I you know, I'm not going to comment. I think that the other two designs are an improvement over the
design you have now. still as it think it brings it uh up to being fitting into that that side of the street or even complimenting what's going to be uh built on the opposite side of the street. >> Okay.
>> I just want to turn if you don't mind Mr. Chair want to follow up on what Dr. Joseph paying carol again. >> Just just a second. >> So so so that uh that photo shows the
meal building looking taller than your building, right? >> Yes. Because >> go back to our our building is set back about 38 ft. >> Oh, okay. It does feel um so this will feel larger because it's right up
against very close to the >> I think it's flip back. One of your drawings you showed you actually showed it right. >> I don't know which one it was. >> Oh, the one after >> the other one. >> This one.
>> Right. So that is that a more accurate depiction of reality? >> Um yes. Yeah. No, not the photo. The I'm sorry. >> Elevation, >> the uh drawing on the top. >> Yes. >> Why don't you discuss that a little bit? >> Yes. Um it is again we
>> we we we don't have the tools to measure it from the outside exactly, but from um kind of taking cues from the facade, we estimated this is the height of the building. Uh it does feel larger on the
rendering itself because it's closer to the camera. Uh but this and and this would this is what how it would feel in the real life rather than the elevation um where you have this building that's
closer towards you when when you're walking down the street. So, it's going to feel larger. Um, as you pass by our building, which is set back, even though it's uh three stories, it may feel like um it it fits better as a taller
building within the context rather than a smaller building which could just disappear uh on the streetscape. Yeah. >> Sorry, I spoke out of turn. Oh, we have a couple more things.
according to this elevation I don't know uh uh Dr. Mark, >> no question. Mayor, I might have missed it, but what was the material you plan to construct the sadwood?
>> Uh, stucco and metal panels. >> Um, in the the first floor office, why why is there a need to put a a full bathroom in? >> It may have
one. I'm just going to look at the existing for more seconds. >> Really? >> Yeah, there was a existing full bathroom there. There was an existing full bathroom
there. We kept it. We We don't need it for the uh We don't need it uh to be to be a full bathroom. We can take that out and turn that into a powder room. Um, but I I've been in offices where where they do have a shower. Sometimes people
stay overnight and helps, you know, stay overnight. I mean, uh, for a project, it helps to have a shower in the office for the principal. >> I I understand this. My my concern is the these schools are strained as it is as it is with the the population school
age children and there's already two proposed two-bedroom apartments which run the risk of adding to that school age population and I could just see this where you're not able to rent it out commercially. It's a quick fix to kind of turn into a third apartment that
that's now three apartments that could potentially add to the school age. I would if if this is truly going to be an office, I would prefer to have it just a half bathroom. >> Yeah. >> Yes, we can do that. >> Yeah. The the intent is not for it to be
converted into an apartment. So, we could certainly the full bathroom. >> Uh other than that, I don't have any any other questions. >> Mr. Gel. Yeah. I got one qu I got one question. You said an unfinished
basement, >> correct? >> And you said that you were going to do nothing with it. >> Uh we may just alter the location of the lolly columns for >> nothing. I find it hard to believe. >> It it'll most likely be used as a
storage area on finished basement. That's that's usually how it's used, but we were we're not planning to finish that, turn it into another apartment in any way. Um, so that's we're planning to just leave it as is, have mechanical
units, and possibly use it as storage. >> There'll be something written up with that. I'm I'm assuming when it >> if it finalizes, >> we would we would stipulate to a condition that the basement would remain finished. What's that thing going on around?
>> So then we go resolution. >> What's the concern? >> Okay. >> Yes, that's okay. >> So my question uh piggybacks on what the mayor had already spoke about and I listened very carefully to what you said
about the third floor apartments. You said there's no decision been made if they're going to be two bedrooms or three bedrooms. >> Um, no. I think we Oops. >> No, I was I was referring to the office space where we had um there's office
number one, office number three, but there's no office number two. So, at some point we were thinking of conference room being an office. >> Okay. And on the the third level one, you said there was a lot of space in the attic
either be a recreational space or >> Oh, that was I was referring to the existing building, >> but is it going to be a two or three >> two? >> The the proposed the proposed building is going to have two >> twob unit. >> We're proposing
>> here it is. >> Okay. >> Two two bedrooms. There's no other there's no room to add another bedroom here. So, what space said could be a recreational space or a third bedroom? >> That was I was talking about the existing house currently that it has an
attic space. So, if you think of it as a third floor, there's a wreck room there currently which could possibly be used as a bedroom too. That's what I was uh saying. >> A third third bedroom of the current house. It is um the the proposed
building is going to have the second unit on top is going to have two bedrooms only. There's no room to add a third bedroom. >> Yeah. There's no longer a proposed attic space. >> No, there's no attic space on top of >> the third floor. That's the third floor
apartment is the is the current, >> right? Exactly. So, >> so there will be a ceiling above the the bedroom. No accessibility. >> Exactly. That ceiling is going to be the roof. >> I think that's what I uh the one other
question I had um when you talked about that uh handicap accessible walkway and then the added is there enough space for a TMS furniture to get up to the the apartments? Yeah. Yes. It's going to meet all the
code requirements. The building will have to be sprinklered. Uh I don't believe it's sprinkler right now, but once we uh once we do an addition to a mixeduse building and it has to be brought up to code in terms of sprinkler
system. So it's going to be safer than uh what it is today. Okay. I just clarify something from you. The existing building has a third floor attic. >> The existing building has a Yes. >> No building will have a third floor, but there won't be an
>> correct. >> Correct. >> So, the attic space now is going to be where the third floor apartment. >> Part of the design intent by we thought another apartment unit sets going a couple different directions here. Um, >> I have a question. So, the two
apartments, they have one bathroom each other. They have two bathrooms. >> They have two bathrooms. There's one bathroom behind the staircase right here. And then another bathroom that's attached to bedroom two. And we could possibly put a door from to the hallway.
So, it could also be used by bedroom one. But there are two bedroomedroom bathrooms or two bedrooms. >> Both floors. >> Both floors. >> Yes. >> In the bedrooms. I believe you said in the first presentations
that there's a variance to reduce the size that's required for two bedrooms. >> The minimum square footage. >> So what will this what will the square footage have? Okay. Thanks. Any other follow questions?
>> I I have I have one or two. >> What's the go? >> I got >> What's the uh existing height of the building versus the new the proposed height of the building?
>> You know, damn it. reach 31 and 12 ft for the new height. >> I Yeah, I got I got the uh the proposed height is uh just under 31 and a half ft, >> but the existing two and a half stories.
My real question is, is the proposed building any taller than the existing building? And I'm not sure it is. Um that would be right. next time. >> I don't have the height of the existing
building. Um, we'll get that information. >> That would be helpful. I mean, >> so then earlier we talked about the uh wheelchair access to the front door. Did you check that? That that'll work. >> Um, yeah, I'm we designed it. So the ramp
um takes you up to a a platform where you can easily rotate and then another one takes you up to this platform where the um uh wheelchair can easily rotate and enter into the um into the office.
>> Sorry, you checked. Okay. And then uh the the other question I had is um in the stairwell on the second floor and maybe even the third floor, why wouldn't you put a window in there just to get some outside lighting? >> Because I know you got the building
store. >> We can't we can't place a window. >> No, on the south on the south. >> This is the this is our property line. Uh we're right up against our property line here. So we're not allowed to put windows. >> You're not allowed to put a window. >> Yes. >> Is that right? Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. But if you >> ask for a window, we can either put a skylight to get some light in from the top >> or we can add a window on this facade here. Right here. We can put another set of
windows vertically. All I have >> Oh, the distinction between the uh re the It looks like a a single family house from the street, right? Um you know, you know, looks like a residential house. I I think we we kind of sort of
would like some distinction between the retail floor >> and the and the res floor. >> Okay. >> And that was reflected in Mr. Ricky's letter as well. So, something we'll take into account um when we look at the design again. Okay. Any
other follow? >> I think I'm done. >> Any what members of the public want to ask any questions to the architect? >> Okay. I don't have any specific I guess. I could give you a mic. No, you can stand. Come up here.
>> Name and who you are. >> Okay. >> Name. Spell your last name. >> There you go. That's good. You broke it. Okay, I'm sorry. Uh, my name is Anie Beyond. Um, B I O N
DI and I'm here uh I guess on behalf of the Beyond Funeral Home and my mom, the owner Mickey Beyond. Um, so we do have major concerns about just the the structural integrity of this thing. I mean, it it looks like a strong wind
could knock it down, honestly. So, it's, you know, we've been dealing with things flying off of it. It's been really very challenging for us to deal with this structure as is. And unfortunately, it's seeming like this whole thing is going to take a while now. So, my immediate
concern is that it gets cleaned up, right? I don't know if this is the proper venue to bring that up, but I have been working with Dennis Postrus a little bit. Um, you guys have a ton of violations going on. No windows, no doors. Um, so something has to be done,
I guess, in the meantime before we you guys all decide on what's ultimately going to happen here. Um, and obviously I'm just here to, you know, in to make sure that whatever is ultimately decided on does not interfere with the nature of our
business at the funeral home. Um, so it looks like you guys have some things to work out. Um, I am also concerned about the addition of the ramp on the side that would concern us 540. Um, and I'm hoping that you guys consider some real,
you know, some really attractive edging or something like that that would make it, you know, more private for us, especially considering the nature of our business. And it seems like your your building is going to have quite a bit of activity, so that's a concern for us as well.
Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> And just if I can appreciate you coming out and nice to meet you. >> Thank you. >> Um certainly >> I I didn't think I needed it, but um my wife would tell me to quiet down, but um no, we appreciate the comments and
certainly we do want to redevelop the property obviously and part of that is being a good neighbor. So we certainly will be um proactive in addressing any of those matters. We certainly hope to be back before the board with a a slightly modified plan, but we'll certainly be in touch. Absolutely. Yes.
Yeah. And and I could say uh representative are the applicants here. So I'd like if we can just after the meeting maybe we could talk meet each other. All right. Sure. >> Questions public. >> All right. Unless you have more >> I would just submit for an approval. Mr.
No, I'm kidding. Um, no, we have uh we have we we we know we have homework to do. We certainly think it was a valuable exercise and we appreciate everybody's time. Heard the board's feedback loud and clear and in person and um we will be back. >> Appreciate you being here. Obviously
heard of our comments. >> Yes. >> Um my recommendation is you give me give a a point by point reply to expert letters. >> Yes. >> Get a really good look at the neighborhood design. Um, I would recommend you make a couple
of phone calls and get the exact height of the adjacent buildings. >> Sure. >> Uh, and the exact height of the existing building. These are questions that were asked that we're not there's any other suggestions from board members what they might be able to put together.
>> We we acknowledge it's an undersized lot. This is not a you know, this is not an easy one. >> I look I look real close to the parking situation. I I I would just suggest to consider sources are concerned with the stool. Uh it sounds like or it looks
like kind of trying to fit a square bed. Uh maybe consider three onebedroom apartments two bedrooms and you don't necessarily need to you have you have larger oneb. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Any other comments? And
just to piggy back up on what the mayor said, uh maybe reducing >> maybe >> on what the mayor said, maybe reducing the apartments from a two-bedroom to a one-bedroom will help your parking situation as well because you could
potentially have two vehicles in each one of those two-bedroom apartments or more. You could have even more. You know, you could still have two in a onebedroom, but >> yeah. Um, it just seems like it seems like we're trying to put five 10 paths in a five pounder. >> And we appreciate everyone's comments
and we're certainly going to take them back with us and look long and hard at the plan. So, I appreciate it. >> It was I'm sorry, council. >> Think after the comments. Yes, we'd be hardressed to not file revised plans. Yes,
>> I can't answer that, Mr. Chairman. I mean, Mr. Council, sorry. Sorry. >> Certainly. So what I would ask respectfully if we could if we could just announce the carry to the next meeting allow our team to so we can preserve notice for the
time being allow our team to sort of regroup digest what we heard this evening and then we can be in touch regarding scheduling going forward. But I just would like to preserve the notice if we can. >> Yeah, given considering the consent the extent of the revisions, we may want to renotice. Um, but I I leave it to you,
frankly. I I don't know. No, no, no pressure at all. I uh I typically try to if we can but I am at the pleasure of the board. I would would appreciate the courtesy but >> I would think the first meeting in May.
>> Okay. >> Right. >> Our next meeting is the 29th and then we have another meeting the following week. So white put it off to the second. Yeah, I think that makes good sense if we could preserve that second May date if it's possible just for now and then
obviously >> it's the 20th I mean 20th >> per year. So we're looking at May 20th. That's right. Okay, that should be >> my mom's birthday. Understood.
>> Yep. >> Appreciate it. So, carrying without further notice to the May 20th meeting. It will be in this building still, correct? Okay. same time. Okay, maybe. >> All right, >> we'll play it by ear. All right, I appreciate everyone's time this evening. I really do. And we'll see you again
soon. Thank you. Thank you. You, too. >> Yeah. Uh, so old business. Um just want to touch base on the uh um definition for the warehouse that we approved a couple weeks ago, a month ago
that we did that get anywhere. Uh you had an ordinance we >> did we push it forward. >> Okay. So, and that would be second reading would be >> the next and uh and we're aware of all the stuff
that's been pending, but we need to get the warehousing done first. That's that's the priority, right? Okay. We just rescheduled. Um that was really the workshop stuff that I wanted to talk about. The only other thing I wanted to mention was um I don't
have the copy of the most recent report from the zoning board from our last beef or joint beef. I'm going to get my hands on it. I'm going to have it circulated. Then take a look at it because we were very busy last year. So there were thing that they had asked the previous year that we really didn't get a chance to
address. So take a look at it. See if you think there's some low hanging food to put our arms around because right now we don't have anything on the docket till uh May 20th. So maybe we can uh put our heads together and get something done there. Uh but I'll make sure everybody gets a copy if you don't have any. Uh committee reports
public just left. Anything else? >> Are you sure? >> Okay, that being said, I hear a motion. >> Thank you. >> In favor? I thank you.