Good evening everyone. I'd like to start the meeting. Please rise for the salute to the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for
all. Okay, thank you. Good evening everyone. Welcome to zoning board of adjustment regular meeting May 15, 20125. Adequate notice of this meeting of the Old Bridge Township Zoning Board of Adjustment has been provided in accordance with the
open public meetings act at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of this meeting by prominently posting in the municipal complex an announcement giving the time, the date, the location, and the agenda of this meeting. also by mailing such announcement to the home news tribune, filing a copy of such announcement with the municipal clerk
and posting the agenda on the municipal website. May we have a roll call, please? Melli. Mrs. Andrews present. Miss Chevier here. Mr. Iso here. Mr. Scogno absent. Mr.
Stoner absent. Miss Testie absent. Mr. Singh absent. Miss [Music] Gomez absent. Chairman Sullivan here.
This meeting is uh being televised on OBT OBTV cable station 15. If you're here in the township and simultaneously it's being uh put out on YouTube live. If you ever want to review a meeting for this or any of the other township
meetings, you can uh find those on YouTube. Uh for those you heard the roll call, uh there are nine members of the zoning board. There's seven full members, two alternates. This evening, we have four regular members seated.
That is a quorum by our rules and regulations. When you come up tonight for uh u your applications, if for some reason you feel that uh you have to get a plurality, so you'd need three of four
votes in a positive manner in order to process your application. If for some reason you feel that that's uncomfortable, you can always say, "Can I continue this till there are more members to hear my application and they would read a transcript or they would actually watch it on TV before they
would come back to the next meeting." So feel free to do that. I'm just giving you some advice ahead of time. Uh I don't know what your issues are other than what I know we've had one before, but uh we'll take them. Each each exists on its own merits, so we'll listen to
that. But once again, feel free. It's your application. and it's not ours. But, uh, if you don't want to have a vote taken tonight, you're entitled to do that. Okay. Having said that, I'm going to move ahead uh, board. Uh, item number three on the agenda this evening is the minutes, and that's the minutes
of May 1, 2025. Hopefully, everyone has had a chance to review them. Absent any comments uh, for additions, deletions, I'd ask someone. Excuse me, Mr. Chairman. Miss Porchelli. Yes. Um, I did notice in my review of the minutes, um, for application
542024Z, the applicants engineer is listed as Mr. Walt Hopkins. It should be Mr. Walt Hopkin. I'm going to make a change of it. Okay. Okay. So, with so you'll you'll take the S off of his off of his thing. Correct. Okay. Board board members got that. Okay. So, other than
that, anyone else? All right. Hearing none, someone want to move for adoption. Shovel will move it. Andrew second. Roll call, please. Mrs. Andrews, yes. Miss Chevier, yes. Mr. Iso, yes. Chairman Sullivan, yes.
Okay. Mr. Dasty, if you'd be so kind. Our professional on the panel of the night is Dan Hollahan. He is the zoning officer. Would you please swear him in? Do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth? I do. Thank you. We have four applications
this evening. These are all homeowner related items and I'm I'm going to I'll tell everybody once I'll remind you when you come up for yours as we call them in. Normally you're not represented by any professionals like a lawyer, engineer. You may have documents from some but you're normally not
represented. So you're kind of doing this per se or or on your own. So when you come up, the board wants to hear things like why I'm doing this, how I'm doing this, why, where, when, those kind of things. If you have any exhibits, you
would give them, pass them to Miss Porchelli. She'll see that the board members get them. Absent that, tell us your story. Tell us what happened, why it happened, and we're going to ask Mr. Hollahan why you're here. And we all know that there's for some reason that you need a variance for your certain
applications in particular. So that's the procedure how we'll go after the final testimony from each one. I'm forced and uh to have a open uh uh to the public. So I have to take comments from the public should there be
any. When that's final, I'll come back to you and I'll ask you if you want to me to call for a vote for the evening. That's what I told you before. If you don't feel comfortable, you could say, "I'd like to have a continuence until we have more members." So, that's totally up to you. So, those are the basic
ground rules, and they're going to apply to each and every one of the applications this evening. We're going to call them in order on the uh that's on the agenda if you happen to have one. Uh the first one is 62-2024Z. That's Alan Blanchard. That's uh R12 zone block 170, lot 9, physical
locations, one Victorian Drive in Oldbridge. This is requiring a C variance. The applicant proposes to legitimize a previously cons uh constructed 13x 28x 8x7 pool house that was installed approximately 1 ft from
the sideyard property where 10 minimum is required. Uh Mr. Blanchard, you return. Uh I would tell you that you're still under oath from the last uh application. Okay. Why don't you proceed and tell us? I believe at the last time we were waiting
to have an engineer come and and the zoning officer. We'll hear from the zoning officer. Why don't you tell me where we are up to date? Oh, turn the till it goes green. There you go. Yeah. So, the zoning officer came. You can slide it
till you get comfortable. um to check the site um because it was stated that I raised my property the the level of the earth and was causing flooding in the rear and um um came and with another engineer and said that everything was
fine. Uh there was no issues with that and then we also waiting for the my community um Foxboro to you know send a letter in which I believe that they they sent in over to the office. Sorry you got to talk a little louder. Sorry. Um, they were waiting, you guys were also waiting for my HOA to send documents
over that there was no contest and whatever your decision was would be fine with them. So, I they sent that over as well. Did we get a letter from the HOA? I didn't see it yet. I didn't see a letter. It was emailed to you guys. We haven't received it anyway. I don't know
where it went to, sir, but I This board doesn't have it yet. Uh to save some time, I'll get back to Mr. Pletcher. I'm gonna have uh Mr. Hollahan update us. Thank you, Chairman. Um yes. So, at the request of the board, I believe at morning, can you go back to
the picture folder? Want to go back to the folders? The pictures? Yeah, I just need the date. I think it was April 4th. Yep. So, on April 4th, myself and Dave Hall from the engineering department at the request of the board visited the site with Mr. Blanchard um located at one Victorian Drive. Uh there was some
testimony or I'm sorry, some public comments related to possibly the applicant raising portions of his yard by bringing in fill. There were also some claims and some comments from the public about possible um a shower or
dumping of some sewage in the rear of the property. Um Morin, if you can just maybe open up the first one. Um, nonetheless, why kind of moren I guess just kind of scrolls through those pictures that I taken while I was at the
site. Um, myself and Dave from the engineering department, we did not notice any signs of any shower or kind of utilities to the to the structure in the rear of the structure. Um, there wasn't any evidence that the applicant has brought and fill to our knowledge.
Um the only comment that myself um and and Dave from the engineering department really had to provide as far as this was there's a roof leader that kind of um extends adjacent to the property on the left in between the property lines that we had just asked Mr. Blancher to extend
the roof leader closer to the road so that any drainage from that roof leader would go more towards the road rather than be directed kind of towards an adjacent property. Other than that, we didn't see any signs of a shower. No, no signs of really any fill being brought
in. Um Dave from the engineering department did want me to note that Mr. Blanchard's properties is technically at the low point of the four or five properties that kind of intersect at that point. So, all the water really comes onto his property. Mr. Blanchard did say at the last meeting that he had
installed some sort of um drainage or French drain to kind of alleviate that flow. Um but essentially he's not dispersing any water from that would be um on his property to any of his neighbors property. So uh myself and the engineering department really are
content with current current site conditions and really have no further comments at this at this point. All right. Thank you. So you're speaking on behalf of the engineer as well from from your site visit and you both did that? Yes, we were both there. Yes. All right. Thank you. Um board members, you remember this uh
application, correct? Uh we did want to find that out. Apparently that's the answer. Anything else you want to tell us? Um no, that's all I have. I just emailed over it was sent to planning. Uh we just planning office. Yeah. And that's probably why it
didn't get through. I thought it was Well, that's I just forwarded it to I just sent it now. I could show you. I have it on my email. The from the HOA. So, it's the HOA. Is it very long to read what's on your phone? Read it into the record and we'll have a copy of it. Just so everyone You could sit there and
read it in Brasses. Sorry. Okay. Moren, could you read it into the record, please? Thank you. Give us the date on if there's a letter a date on it. Okay. Do you want my glasses, too?
Is there a date on here? April 9th. April 9th, 2025. Um, to whom it may concern regarding one Victoria Drive, Victorian Drive. This letter will address the variance application for the structure at one Victorian Drive. The association
has article 10 of the restrictive covenant which in indicates a unit owner must conform to any setback line established by the original subdivision. The covenant does give the unit owner the discretion to seek a variance. So the association would defer to the
township on any variance application and it's authored by it just says HOA board of trustees. It's not signed. Okay. Okay, Mr. Dasty. Uh, it sounds official.
Sounds official. It's on It's on HOA letterhead or something. Marine, what do you have? It is. Do you want to take a look at it? No, that's right. You have I'll send it to you tomorrow. Yes. Okay, fine. Thank you. All right. Based upon that information, uh, I guess a council would advise us that we can take that as
verbatim uh, and authored by the proper authority. Um, anything else do you have, Mr. Holly? other this is the only that one one foot setback right correct yes where 10 is required that's correct yes all the other issues uh the there's no fencing issues and the surveys that
we see with the sheds on the side belong to the other neighbors correct yes um just to confirm with Mr. Blanchard there was an existing shed that we had saw on site that didn't have a zoning permit I think as a condition that Mr. Blanchard hopefully would agree to obtain a zoning permit for that shed. I know there were
conversations with me where I measured it. It was about 6 in too close to the property line. I think he's going to elect to move that shed 6 in. Okay, that's correct. As part of the resolution, you would agree to move that 100%. Okay. How far how far they move it? There's an
existing shed that's not shown on the survey and does not have a zoning permit. Um I did laser measure it out on site on April 4th. It's about two it's it's exactly 2 ft 6 in from the fence which is essentially on the property line. Um so he would just have to shift
that over 6 in which he agreed to. Um so as a condition of the approval should the board act favorably he would move that existing shed to be in compliance with the zoning ordinance. And you agree with that Mr. Blanch? Absolutely. I actually asked him to check it to see if it was up to code and All right. I wanted to make sure. Yeah. Great.
Council you have any questions? I know I have no other questions. My board members on my left. No. Am I right? No. Okay. God bless. Too much pollen. Uh, do you have anything else? I'm going to go to the public at this point and then I'll get back to you. That's fine.
Okay. This is matter 62-2024Z. Location is one Victorian Drive. This is for a uh sideyard setback. Anyone here in the courtroom wish to be heard? Ma'am, you are M.
You're at number two. You okay? You spoke that night. You and one of the things you said if you're going to testify, just come on. Can you come up? Okay. Because you were put under oath the last time, you are still under oath. And if you would be so kind as to push
the button on that microphone, you may sit. Be careful on those chairs. They slip uh till it turns green. There you go. You may be seated. Okay. Again, you're you're still under oath from the last time. Agreed. Well, I'm thankful to the board and um I'm happy
that they did their investigation and I'm completely satisfied with it. So, my only question is that that bar construction. So, you're saying it's okay so close to the property line. That's just a one general. Well, that's why Mr. Blancher is here in front of the
board to get a variance for how close it is to the property line. they he's going to get a variance for it. That's what the board would ultimately vote. Variance means I mean if somebody means approval approval to to u uh mitigate a uh a setback in this case uh it's even
though even though the situation is not strictly in compliance with our requirements in the township code it's a uh relief. Thank you. It's an okay. So who gives the variance? The board. the the
board members here are volunteer citizens of the community. Each and every one of the nine members live in the community. We are non-paid volunteers. Agreed. And so we sit in uh as uh as committee to make these decisions. This is all set by New Jersey
law and and probably most law around the country you'd see the same thing. So they're all volunteers. The only professional here obviously we have to have a counsel for these legal issues. Okay. And Mr. Halahan is an employee of the township who tells us um why this is
a why this was in violation of the the local ordinance. So I just wanted to understand what variance means. Okay. Okay. And at this point you're satisfied that it I mean you guys know the rules and regulations better than I do. So I'm satisfied. Well, thank you very much for your appearance again this evening.
Thank you so much. Anyone else in the uh room need to be heard or wants to be heard on this matter? Please raise your hand. This will be the only public portion for this matter. Seeing none, I'm going to close the public portion. Mr. Holling, you said one other thing. There was a a leader
uh that should be moved or can be moved or we hope will be moved. Redirected. Yeah. My battery died. Okay. New new batteries to work. A lemon. Nonetheless, on the bottom left corner
where it shows number 11 on the structure, there's a roof leader that points down towards the property line towards Victorian Drive. Um, there's a little bit of a hill that the roof leader goes out about a couple of inches. There's a hill and then goes more down towards Victorian Drive. We've
just asked Mr. Blanchard or the engineering department um advised Mr. Blanchard that it would be beneficial for him to extend it towards Victorian Drive so that any water that comes out of that roof leader wouldn't puddle and possibly disperse onto neighboring properties and would be directed more
down towards the street which I believe Mr. Blanchard agreed to do. So it's a simple fix by just adding an extension. Yep. Yes. Yes. That's one question. If he were to shorten, you know, is this a permanent structure on cement? This structure that it's on footings, right?
Yes, it's permanent structure. Yes. Okay. Uh, Mr. Blanchard, would you agree that the suggestion of the engineering department to absolutely add to that? Yes, you would. Okay. Thank you. Uh, anything else you'd like to tell us? No, not at this moment. I think the board
members have had an opportunity to question. Uh, we've heard your testimony from the last application. Uh, it seems like you've satisfied uh the engineering department, the zoning department. So, would you like me to take a vote tonight? Yes, please. Okay. Um, this is
for a C variance for the sideyard. It's 1 foot where 10 is required. Someone interested in moving this for an approval. Andrews for approval. Okay. Is there a second? Mizo. Mr. Rizzo seconds. Okay.
Roll call, please. Mrs. Andrews. Uh, yes. That the conditions that Dan mentioned are followed. Miss Chevier. Yes. Mr. ISO. Yes. Chairman Sullivan. Yes. And and please cooperate uh with that uh that issue and the other one of
course you're going to move that shed. Okay. Yes. My vote is yes. Um the resolution will be available at the next meeting. Okay. You don't have to come here. You just have to contact zoning. So everything's just have to you're done. You just probably have to get permits and whatever else you need to uh
do with the So Mr. Mer at the next meeting the board will vote and on a resolution. After they vote and approve on that resolution, Moren will send you a copy of that resolution. You file that resolution with your building permits with the building department. That gives me as a zoning officer authorization based on the board's approval to approve
it from a zoning side. Then you just go through your construction review. Okay. The next meeting is the the first Thursday in June. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you for appearing again. Thank you. All right. 8-2025Z. Michael Scrapa. This is the R
seven zone uh residential. This is block 26028 lot 53. Physical locations 117 Park Avenue in Aubbridge. This is for deck. Uh the applicant is seeking to legitimize a deck that was constructed without permit requiring a C variance.
You are Mr. Scarpa? I am. Board attorney. I swear you in answer. Do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I do. Mr. Scarpa, uh, we obviously have a p a survey of your home and, uh, what I explained earlier, I'm going to turn it
over to you unless you have any questions. Tell us, uh, how how you got here today. Uh, COVID and, uh, I work construction on highways and bridges. So, uh, 70% less cars on the road. We were working round the clock, turnpike,
parkway, and three kids. I just put a bunch of money in the backyard. So, um, I thought that, you know, I possibly I'd be here one day. Um, and so I mean I I did the pool. I I I knew that was six feet the code off that and you know the
deck I did on the pool and out of compliance for the benefit family uh that you made made the extended the yard or or or extended this deck 100%. Yeah. And I think you were let's see a foot off.
I'm closer than that. Closer than a Yeah, pretty short. Yeah, it's it's it's a one step deck and then, you know, pretty much off the fence line. Okay. Um I'll get back to you. Let me uh talk to Mr. Hollahan. Sure, Dan. Thank you,
Chairman. Um yes, so Mr. Scarper is actually here in front of this board under application 80-2023Z. Um a resolution was memorialized on April 8th, 2024 for um other improvements that are shown on his survey which include a 10x 23 shed, a
10x12 gazebo um which the board had granted um variance approval for those two structures. Part of the resolution for that approval um indicates that um as a condition of approval, Mr. Scarba
agreed to follow up with the deck issue with the construction department. So essentially the board grant him approval for the gazebo and the shed under the condition that he would essentially obtain permits for the deck. When he had filed the permits with my office, I
believe late last year, early this year, it was determined that the deck structure actually also needs a variance. So, in order for me to approve the other structures that the board grant approval for last year, um he first has to come to this board and obtain a vet variance for the deck
setback. Um so the deck setback is approximately 1 ft um where 7 ft is required. So one single C variance. Thank you. Board members on my left questions.
I I do recall you being here, but Right. Yeah. I'm trying to figure out why. Yeah. Yeah. Dan, can it be shortened? This deck. Mr. Farby, can you testify to the height of the deck from Gra? So, uh about um the deck the decking itself is
uh two 9 foot step 9 in steps 18 in. Okay. And then there's a bench in the back end, but it's really short. Maybe at top of height 28 in. Okay. So the maximum height of the deck from the lowest point of grade to the top of the walking surface is roughly 28 in
roughly. Yeah. Okay. So with that being said, board members just it changes a variance request a little bit. Um it's still a C variance for sideyard setback. Um the request is 1 foot from the property line where 9 ft is required. So being that it's above 2 feet in height,
the setback increases by 2 feet. So, it's a nine foot setback requirement. Um, where it exists at about one foot from the property line. What's in between your yard and the lot next to fence? How tall is the fence? Six feet.
So, your deck can't be isn't seen by your neighbors, I'm assuming. Negative. Is a solid fence? Solid fence. Yeah. Mer, you had a question. Sorry. I just want to get that record. If if he were to just shorten the side of that deck, could it could that be possible? He
doesn't I could remove the bench. Yeah, if he removed the bench, then you'd be closer to to your variance size. Correct, Mr. Scarpa. The pool's about, I believe, 6 feet off of the sideyard property line. So, even if he removed
this entire section, he still needs nine feet, which would bring him to about here inside the pool. So, it would essentially limit the deck to about this area here. And he would lose this section of deck that goes around the pool. What's your rear of your property,
the other lot? The lot would be to the top. Another house. Another home. Yeah. Is there a fence in the back? Yes. Solid. Solid. PVC. Six feet. How about other side of your property? Same. Six foot. Solid. Yep. I I'm a little confused here. Were
you referring to if I removed the height of the bench, then that would change the requirements for my variance. I would be back to the original variance, right, that I applied for. That's what I was looking right. Say that one more time. So the the part that's over 24 in, I can
remove. I'm out of compliance. That's because it's over 24 in, which changes the requirements of of of my setback. Correct. It would change the setback requirement by two feet. you would still need a variance cuz if you removed it and it was under 24 in the setback requirement
is 7 ft. Once you go above 6 ft. Yeah. Once once you go above 24 in um the setback then increases to 9 ft. So realistically it would just reduce your ass to the board by two feet. By two feet. Yep. Okay. Yeah. By height because
of the height by Yeah. Yep. So the height of of the deck changes what my setback is. That's correct. Yes. So either way I need variance. Correct. Yes. Either way it is. Yes. It's a seven foot minimum for all decks. So right. Yep. Okay. Sizo, did you have something?
Uh, no. Xanders. Counselor. Yes. All right. Yeah, I I I I do now. I remember the entire property, but uh seeing you walk in before. I knew I knew you from somewhere, but not quite sure where, but you were here before. Um I
don't I don't think that I guess seven or nine is really going to make much matter to me, but I don't know how the other vote. You mind if I go to a public portion now? Absolutely not. This uh is matter
8-205 Z. This is a 177 park. Anyone here in the courtroom wish to be heard in this matter? Please raise your hand or stand. Okay. No one has. I'll close the public portion. Final comments. No, thank you. Okay. Uh once again, I'll offer you the
same that I offered everybody else. If you feel that you might want to be heard by more members, that would be your decision. Uh you would need three positive votes of the four sitting members tonight. That's totally up to
you. If you don't get the three, you're not going to get the approval. No appeal. No, not here. Okay. Not not to here. It's none here. You'd have to go you'd have to go higher, right? Okay. And that would that would cost you
uh fees, right, to take that matter elsewhere? Take a chance. Okay. Uh this is uh any that's all you want to say, right? Board, any final comments that you would want to offer? None. Next to the deck,
the other side of that fence is no home. There's a home. Yeah, there's a home. Yeah, he he has a deck uh you know, feet off, but no water goes through the other property. No, no, nothing. Okay. So, homes on both sides and homes on both sides. Three three sides. Yeah. No water
goes on his property and you don't get water from him. Correct. Okay. Okay. All right. This would be for uh C variance if someone's interested in moving. This is a side setback where the deck needs to be nine and it's at one
foot. Someone interested in moving for approval. I'll move it. Yeah. All right. Um, I'll second it. Roll call, please. Miss Portelli. Mrs. Andrews. Yes. M. Chevelier. Yes. But next time, Mr.
Scarpa, I'd really like you to get your permits first instead of having to come here and legitimize something you knew was too close because you even stated it yourself. I well I know that the pool I know the pool setbacks I of course I will I don't think he can put much more in that backyard. No I'm out I'm out of
real estate make it legit. Thank you Mr. Iso. Yes Chairman Sullivan. Yes. Uh I echo what uh the vice chair said. We wish people would do that. We're we're a community want people to stay here and and want to improve their homes. Once
again the resolution will be would be approved at our next meeting. It's the first Thursday in June. After you receive a copy of that, you can apply for whatever you need. All right. Thank you very much. Thank you for appearing. Good night. Good night. Good evening. Jesus Christ.
All right. Number number 9-205Z. This is uh Alcitis Vera. Zone is R40 lowdensity residential block 4187 lot 1.18. Physical locations 55 highway 34 Nbridge
is for sixoot vinyl fence requiring se variance. Applicant proposes to legitimize a previously installed 6 foot vinyl fence a portion of which was installed in the front yard where a maximum of 4 foot open fence is permitted. You are sir
sir you raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Yes I do. Sorry, you already saw two go ahead of you, so you know the routine. I got it. Okay. And your property, you've been here before on on matter. No, is it my
first time ever? That property has as I'm familiar with. Maybe I bought the property back in 2021. Okay. All right. I think prior prior to that, you sold a part of the lot. And there was a family, I think, that lived in all of the homes in Yes. Yes. That's where you bought it
from? Yes. Okay. I'm I'm familiar with the property anyway. You can't see it from the road, but No, you can't. Um tell us uh where you're at. So, when I first moved in there, um there's a fence that's on 34 that I thought was mine. Um later to find out it doesn't belong to
me, but I put siding up. Uh it's called um uh uh smart sighting. It's heavy duty because on 34 the fence was really rugged and there's no fencing in the backyard at all to keep anything from coming out. So when I bought the house, um I have two dogs and two kids. I was
at military drill. My wife's calling me, "Our dog is gone." And I'm like, "How?" And she's like, "He's just gone." Someone found him on 34. And took him. Um so I took it upon myself to fix the fence. Um then I got a letter telling me that why did I put up smart sighting and
this is your fence. So then I never finished it, but I had to put something up in the back because it allows every off 34 to come into my yard. Unfortunately, my house is spun around the opposite direction of the rest of the homes. So, my front yard is my backyard, not knowing that I put up a
fence, got the permit later on after doing it. Um, but um that's something I never finished. And the fence that I have now is obviously six foot because it's my backyard, but it's really my front yard according to the zone zoning description. Um, so I just wanted to put
that up to keep my kids from running out into 34, my dogs from going out to 34, and I don't get any more calls from my wife that the dogs are missing. Thank you. Uh, let me go to the zoning officer and he'll fill us in. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. Um, thank you. So,
yeah, this is kind of an interest an interesting property. So, it's it was a five lot, I believe, subdivision um back about 20 years ago where there's a private driveway that runs through and and kind of is shared by all property
owners. Um so, by definition, the front yard of this home um is the lot line along Route 34. So, everything that essentially is behind the house is actually in a front yard along Route 34. So, I believe Mr. V, can you confirm?
Are you requesting a sixft vinyl fence or an 8ft vinyl fence? I was going to go with a six, but I would like an eight just because of the noise that's at that traffic light that they put there recently. Those trucks when they hit those exhaust, I don't even open the windows for my kids anymore because it wakes them up. Um, so there's no way to
block that noise. So that's why I put the smart siding up and I wish I was able to put it a little higher, but um because my house sits a little lower because it goes downhill. So the stacks are right there at full speed. So, I my kids sleep in my room because it's quieter. Whose fence is that out on 34?
The wooden fence. That's a good question, Chairman. We We haven't You know what? I I go by it frequently. You see it? It's It stays stands up and I saw it I saw it change. I thought that was very nice of you or whoever the owner was to do that and it made it look a lot nicer. Yeah, I was trying to clean
it up a little bit. We're at about I think four years and two different county representatives trying to get an answer on exactly whose wooden fence that is out there. We have not been able to determine and it's deteriorating badly and particularly as you go more down towards Cheesequake School there
was the same. So ultimately we are not 100% sure whose fence it is. So nonetheless Mr. Ver is here looking to seek approval from this board to install his own fence um on the inside of the property which correct can't see. Yes. Which if if it
was a 6ft fence it would essentially be hidden by the existing wooden fence. If it was an eight foot fence, about two feet of that fence would show above that existing wood fence, which is a six foot wood fence. So, you're putting this on the back side of that fence, or are we talking about the fence right on your property itself down here? The fence now
on on my property. I put one up back there cuz I'm not touching the fence up on the up on 34. No. Correct. It would you It would be behind that towards his property. I doubt anyone would see that. It's so low. No, it drops down lower than because when you come into the private entrance, the driveway drops straight down. Right. So, it it just
keeps going. Would you speak to any of your neighbors? I I don't know if anybody's here tonight on on your behalf or not. My neighbors all the time. We talk about it. Um they have no issues with anything that I wanted to do. I even spoke to him about um if we were able to fix that front fence that I started at the
beginning if they would chip in and they would gladly love to make it look even nicer than what it looks and be able to cover that community up a little. Hang on. Maybe you'll get the state to pay for it. You never know. I doubt it. Maybe the state wants to pay. I'm all for it. But you know, you live there. You try to make things look nice. And again, I'm not joking. I when I saw that
all of a sudden it was getting repaired. I thought that was nice of the state to do this. Now I know who it was. It was me. Uh, anything else you want to tell us? You want the 8 foot that you think that's going to be seen? I think parts of it maybe. It really depends on how because I haven't been to
this property. I've only really seen it from a street view. So Mr. can probably testify to it more of of how big of a change in grade there is from the roadway down to kind of where the the tent is. Big change in grade. It's at least uh I think I would need like a 12oot fence. Board members, this is
where Spring Hill comes out to Route 34. He sits on the northbound side of 34. Yes. And it's it's a property that probably I don't think people would recognize what's inside there. Obviously, your survey shows they never do. Even my family members when they came to visit
me, they're like, "I have no idea you." I only know that because a number of years ago, the previous owner was in here with his family, and I think one of his daughters, if I'm not mistaken, owned one of the other homes. Oh, okay. Now, I guess they've since since left. Uh, yes. Ma and uh Yeah, that has nothing to do with this application, but
that's why I was familiar with the property and I I knew what was there, but you can't see any of these homes from the You have to actually stop in front of his fence in order to look in, right? And the old fence had a doorway that was would allow you to swing it open too to get out to 34, but it was all busted and broken. So, I had covered
most of it. There's still a little piece that I could finish up, but I just left it alone because I after a while, I was just like, "Yeah, hold on. Hold on. I'm not uh I I would say that having, like I said, I traverse that area multiple times a day. I happen to live in that
area." And uh I would say I wouldn't I wouldn't think that anyone would see an extension on that 8ft fence. And if you're telling me it's for the safety of my dogs and my children, basically I'm just covering my yard and so no one gets in there from the 34 coming out the backside or anything like that. Okay.
Because right outside there it's all wooded and it drops off into a ravine. Yes. Okay. I mean the houses behind me that keep going in front of me, right? They have land that's just even drops even more than mine and it's crazy. Okay. Uh anything else, Mr. Hollowan?
No, I have no other comments. Uh board members questions of uh the applicant on my left on my right. Mr. Dasty, anything? Uh Dan, just for you, the denial letter references lot 1.18. The survey says 1.13. Should we go
with the survey? Bear with me one sec. I'll pull up our official record. We should get it right. H I think the survey he provided was from when they did the proposed subdivision.
So I don't know if I would rely so much on that. Um bear with me one second. I have all the original blueprints and paperwork. So I think that's before they split it. Um he's sell he sold a piece of the property before. So the correct lot is what is listed on the denial
1.18. It is 18. Yes. Thank you. Okay. Okay. We're good at 1 1.18. That's all. All right. All right. Did I do any Did I ask the public? I ask the public uh on this matter. Uh 9-2025Z. Anyone want to be
heard on this matter? I'll close the public portion. Final comments, sir. Are you going to ask for a vote tonight? Yes. Okay. Um I could see why you would probably want that fence as high as you do. the you know four is what what the ordinance
says most people wind up with six and in your particular situation I can understand why you would want that extra two two feet so I wouldn't stand against it but I am only one vote we'll see uh if you want me to continue with a vote
yes please we'll pull the board someone want to move this for approval or denial is move it for approval an 8ft fence is there is there a second Andrews second. Moved in second. Roll call, please. That's for an eight foot, correct? That is for eight. Okay. Mrs.
Andrews, yes. Miss Chevier, yes. Mr. Iso, yes. Chairman Sullivan, yes. Hey, good luck. Thank you very much, Mr. Ver. Uh, did you get your dog back? I hope. Did you get the dog back? Yes, we did. Great. I'm glad to hear that. Out of Petco and she bought him a leash and she
was about to take him to Florida with her. He's he's a he's a Frenchie. He's cute. So, she saw him sitting on 34. She said he was literally on the curb. She scooped him up. He didn't have a collar on him yet. Um, fortunate. So, my wife was losing it, but we got him back and I bought myself a $100 collar. Well,
that's very good. Uh, as I stated to the others, our next meeting is the first Thursday in June. The resolution will be approved at that meeting. Then you can apply for whatever you need to apply for. Okay. Have a great night. Thanks for appearing. Good night. Good night.
All right. Okay, we final application of the evening board 10-2025Z Matthew and Sarah Lavine zone uh R15. This is block 120.25 lot 22. Physical locations 35 Lidge Drive. That's Madawan mailing
address. uh deck and outdoor fireplace requiring a design where the applicant proposes 20 by 30x five foot six height rear yard detached deck of which 12T by 16 foot portion will be covered with an
outdoor covered with covered with an outdoor fireplace. Okay. The deck is proposed less than 50 foot from the top of the steep steep slope where no structures are permitted. You are ma'am. I'm Savine. Matthew Lavine. Board of Attorney's gonna swear you both. Would
you raise your right hands, please? Do you swear or affirm to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? I do. Yes. Last up, so you know the routine. Yes. What do you want to tell us? Uh, we just want to get approval to build the deck,
I guess. And I believe uh we needed to come to get a variance for I believe that there was a slope going down, right? Um but oh sorry thank you. Uh but uh I'm not you know an engineer or anything like that. So we asked our our
uh architect to come in case there's any questions that you guys have because uh that's great. Your engineer is here to to swear to this. Why don't you bring them up? Uh to save some time sir. Does this letter look familiar to you? Yes it
does. Ma'am. Yes it does. Organizing. Where did you obtain this letter? uh from from our HOA, the homeowners association at Loridge. And and you did that because your homeowners situation, you have to have their approval. Correct. Yes. Yes. And in essence, this has has said they they have no Yes. I
have the original if you want it for your reference. This is fine. Perfect, sir. So, do you raise your raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the whole begott? I do. Give us your full name. Spell your last. Matthew Pakora. P E C O R A.
Thank you. Mr. Pori, you are a licensed ar registered architect. Yes. Are you a professional engineer as well? No, I'm not a professional engineer. Okay. Architect. I'm sorry. Okay. What would you like to put on the record on their behalf? Sir,
I have examined the site and I feel the area on which they're looking to build does not contain a steep slope area. is there is a gentle slope there but it's not I do not feel that it is any type of danger to the structure itself or
there'll be any future deterioration of the u the foundation or chance let's say of any type of sliding material pushing against the deck okay well I appreciate your comments are you in any way
uh versed in steep slope engineering I am not versed in steep slope engineering okay have Have you come across in your you're licensed in the state of New Jersey? I should have asked you that. Yeah, I am licensed state of New Jersey. Have you come across any situation where you've testified to something like this
before? In this particular case, yes, in Franklin Township. Um, why don't you tell me about that? It was in addition to a house that was on the edge actually of a very steep slope. Um, we were asking for permission to do it
then. Uh it was a small addition to an existing house. We were putting the foundation there and there was bedrock in the area. So it was pretty pretty stable. But we were asking for permission. Um I did not give testimony
as far as the engineering aspect of it. Okay. But you you're you're somewhat at least familiar with with the concept and and what what the protection is there for. I understand the reasoning behind the steep protection. Yes. you want to put anything else on the record yet because I'm going to go to the to the township official and then we'll get
back to you. Okay. Okay. Yeah, Mr. Hollahan. Thank you, Chairman. Um yeah, so actually this this is a design waiver request from the applicant um to and I believe they are requesting a setback of about 6 ft um 6 1/2 ft to the top of a
steep slope where our ordinance chapter 250-82B2 requires any structures to be 50 50 ft from the top of a steep slope. Um, so our ordinance defines a steep slope as any change in grade of greater
than or equal to 25%. So I did meet with the engineering department during my zoning review where they did pull topographic surveys for this property and the slope does meet the definition of a steep slope. So the applicant under the ordinance has to be at least 50 ft from the top of that slope. Um so they
are here requesting a design waiver um to essentially propose a deck less than 50 feet from the top of this steep slope. Our ordinance in that section specifically uh 25082B does allow the zoning board of
adjustment to reduce that setback to the stop to the top of the slope 50 foot from the top of the slope. and how far and how far is adjustable to six foot. So the the way that the ordinance reads um is that the board may reduce
the required distance based upon a finding by the municipal engineer that the design adequately provides for the safety of the structure as well as the preservation of the slope. So the board can reduce it to however essentially comfortable it feels to um assuming that
the township engineer also approves that the construction um provides for safety of the structure as well as preservation of the slope and what is the proposal how far will be from about 6 and 1/2 ft. Six and a half. Yep. All right. Thank
you Mr. Holahan. Um I mean these things are put into into and and you'll you'll bear me out on this. This is for the protections of of the homeowner that they do this and it's for your own protection. As I say, as
the homeowner, um asking the board to grant something that is extremely close to where the steep slope begins. Six foot is is half the distance between me and you. And and I I'm a little leery
about that without having an engineer sign off on something that says that. That's my personal viewpoint. I don't know what the other three people's personal viewpoint, but I there's a cost to that and I understand. Uh but this is
for the protection of you, your family, and potentially adjoining properties. What's behind you? Just the the a wooded area, right? Yeah. Um, you know, I I I would I would say, you know, you've heard of mudslides in California that happen all the time. Uh,
homes disappear. Uh, I I'm just uncomfortable that at that close at six foot from it where 50 is required. Now, it might be adjustable, but I'd like to I personally would like to hear from an
engineer. I I'm I'm just saying that I don't know that I can personally vote on this because I'm I'm I fear that it's way too close. And I'll listen to you, Mr. McCory, if you want to put anything else on the record. Chairman, if I can just interrupt, sorry, real quick. So, I know you had
mentioned about possibly the applicant providing some sort of certification from an engineer. So, our ordinance says that the township engineer and the municipal engineer can provide kind of that certification. So, I would say maybe it would be in the best interest of the applicant to reach out to the
engineering department, provide the plans, and maybe seek a letter confirming that the the structure won't be compromised. Okay. I'm personally happy with that. I didn't know that the township would provide that. Yes. Um I'm sure you would agree that it
would the case and I think it's for your own protection. Other board members may not agree with me. I don't And it's it's just I'm saying for your own protection. And if they'll do that, uh, then then the board can, I think, probably act on it and would probably be more,
uh, in line to approve it versus deny it after the our own engineer says it it would be okay at this particular amount. They may ask you to move it back a little bit. Um, I don't know. I can I I can't guess. I'm not an engineer. So,
would you be willing to continue this application uh and uh seek guidance from the uh township engineer? Obviously, they're not going to charge you for that. Yeah, I mean, yeah, that's I'm totally fine with that. If I'm out of line, Mr. Dasty. Uh, no. If the if the
board wishes and the applicant agrees, we can push it off until the next meeting is available and there will be not there will not be a a need for a not new notice and they'll give you an opportunity to sit down with the township engineer. Do you think the township engineer would come before June
1st? Is that like a You'd have to contact them uh Mr. Holland can tell you how to do that uh and set that up or have someone look at that survey and and perhaps look at
your property. Uh these things are timeconuming. I know. I'm sure you want to get it done. The summer's on us upon us. It's not going to happen this summer, so it's fine. Well, uh once again, I'm thinking more of the safety aspect. Yeah, that's totally fine. Am I
going to have to do the notices? No. No. Oh, that's what the attorney just said. Because if because we're going to continue this matter, you don't have to do another notice. So, I would feel more comfortable. And board members, would you agree? Agree. I agree, Mr. All
right. And and I I think for just for your own safety, uh that might be best. And uh I I thank you for putting on the record about the Franklin issue. Uh it probably gave us a little insight as well. And unfortunately, you're not a professional
engineer. You are a professional architect. So, I appreciate that. And I'm not demis dismissing your abilities, but no, I understand. Again, you heard me say before this as possible. Yeah. This board board is made up of volunteers who all live here in the town. We have the same concerns and we
have we have the I have the concern for you as well. You got it. Bye. All right. We appreciate that. Thank you. Um, Mr. Pell, when could we put this back? Could you give it a date? And now it might have to be moved if the engine if it's if it's the first in June. I don't think it will be, but if it's in June, uh we
have to be able to have time for the engineer to get a report. So our first opening is July 31st. Okay. The end of July. Okay. Well, that will give you time to time for the engineer. I hope you know everybody goes on vacation this time.
What what what do you want to tell me? The calendar is the calendar of the zoning board is like booked for the rest of the year. So, it's very difficult. Um, again, I wish I could make you happy here tonight, but um,
we'll we'll schedule for that. Maybe if something comes up, who knows? Maybe we maybe get lucky and you get in here ahead of time, but All right. No problem. We appreciate because because the calendar is so tight. All right. All right. This matter, you understand? We'll we'll put it on that for that date. uh please work with the township
and see if the engineer can help you out in any way uh shape or form. And obviously he would author something or uh somehow get that information to us too. So it would be more comfortable for for the board to act because once once we deny something, you can't re bring it
back. Yeah. So I don't want you to be denied. Oh, of course. Okay. So I I want you to understand that people think, well, I'll just try it again. It's one time. So, we want to get it right and we wanted you to get it right for for your home. Thank you. Make sure it's okay.
So, thank you for appearing both of you. Uh, this matter will be rescheduled July, what' you say? 31st. July 31st. This is uh 10-205Z. It's 35 Lorage Drive in Matter One for a deck on a steep slope uh
issue. This matter will be continued no further notice to July 31st. Thank you very much, Mr. Mr. Could you spell your last name for me again? P E C P E C O R N. Okay, good. Yeah. P E C R. Yeah,
that's what I have. What's your first name, sir? Yeah, Matthew. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr. Dor as well. Uh, yes. The best to all of you. Enjoy the summer. All right, that's board members.
our last application. I'll go to general public comments. Sir, are you here on another matter with them? Okay. Okay. Take care. Uh there are no people in the courtroom left. Uh so there I see there's no need
for a public comment this evening. Mr. Dasty, anything you want from the legal end you want to advise the board on? No, sir. Everyone have a nice Memorial Day weekend? Yes. Uh, Miss Porchelli, when is our next meeting? Our next meeting is June 5th. June 5th. Anything else you
have from the township for us? No. Everybody have a great weekend in June. It's the only meeting in June, right? Yeah. All right. Uh, Mr. Holly, anything? She didn't know that she would have. No, chairman. Thank you. All right. Well, thank everybody for being here tonight. Board members, is someone interested in an adjournment? signify by
saying I I any opposed we stand adjourned. Good night.