Good evening. Good evening and welcome to tonight's meeting of the zoning board of adjustment of the township of union which is being held pursuant to the open public meeting law C231 laws of New Jersey dated 1975. Notice of this meeting was advertised in the local
source, the newspaper of record. Notice has been posted on the bulletin board to the municipal clerk's office. Roll call. >> Mr. Wy >> here. >> Miss Martins >> here. >> Uh Mr. Bentegan is absent. Miss Scott
is absent. I'm sorry. Mr. Johnson >> here. >> Mr. McNeel >> here. >> Mr. Graves >> here. >> Miss Rickettts >> here. >> And Mr. Champion >> here. There being a quorum present, this meeting is now declared open. At this time, I'll entertain a motion for the approval of the minutes from May 21, May
28, and June the 25th. May I have a motion and a second? >> Mr. Chairman, I move that the minute meeting minutes for May 21st, 2025, May 28th, 2025, and June 25th, 2025
be approved as written and dispensed with their reading. Second a motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. So moved. Continuing with tonight's meeting, we have two cases this evening. The first one is calendar number 3462, David
Pereira. Location is 2775 Meister Avenue, block 36110, lot one, accessory structure and lot coverage, and it was carried from a continued hearing at which I believe was October the 15th. Mr. Mr. Hail, would you like to begin?
>> Yes, thank you very much and appreciate you coming out on such a beautiful night. Yeah. Um, we did have a meeting uh actually at the township uh late yesterday and I sent a letter to the board today. Uh the um after the last hearing, we uh we felt that that my
client should make some additional changes to the plans and that includes um installing additional buffering along the area on the roadway where the where the shed is and also uh removing a good portion of imperous coverage that were
at was added both in the front of the house and in the backyard area. And we think that uh what we'd like to do is rather than come in with exhibits this evening that we would have revised plans prepared by EKA, submit those to the board so they can review it, cyers can
review it and confirm that we would uh provide again the buffering and also eliminate hopefully uh or bring closer the impervious coverage variance. So, uh, I sent a letter to the board, uh, today, uh, uh, requesting that, uh, we
we carry this matter. I I don't think there's any more time available this year, and I think we were targeting the February 25th, uh, hearing date. >> Yes, Mr. Chairman, there is communication. It wasn't raised because it did come in of today's date. Uh, it
is from Mr. Hail's office, address of the board. It was in your packets, but it it was a submission that was slipped in as it were. Uh, which is fine. The details are as Mr. Hail just summarized for my purposes. As the board attorney, he does wave any time constraints
confronting the applicant, confronting the board to to hear this application. So, uh, that and is a typical request and there are additional details that are coming in that would would require our professionals, the township professionals to weigh in. Um, I do understand there's public here tonight
on this case. Certainly, we'll answer any questions since you're here. So, if anybody, Mr. Hale, I think it's only fair if they have a question. We're not going to do Mr. Hail. I would at least give the opportunity for the public to ask whatever question that they had. I do understand >> through Mr. Monguso talking before the meeting that somebody might have had a
question. >> Yes. And I did have an opportunity, these are neighbors to the right of my client's property. I know one of the requirements was removal of the wall. that was in fact removed. Um, they showed me some photographs. Apparently, uh, they now want the area where the
wall was removed to be built in. I said, "Send me the photographs and the issues that you have, and I'll review them with my client and address some ASAP." But again, if they're here, I have no objection to them speaking. >> First, are there any board members that
would like to question the Mr. Hail? >> I have no questions at this time. >> Okay. Are there any members of the public that would like to come forward with questions? >> Just come up and state your name and address just for the record. I know you've been here before on this matter.
>> Name is Arthur Shafi. Address is 2771 Meister Avenue. >> And you're next door, right? Is Mr. Hill. >> Yeah. On on the right of the property. And um yeah, so the the wall was removed, but it was, you know, essentially replacing a physical
encroachment with a a hazardous waste encroachment. We don't need some of the particular the the question that we can raise is procedural only tonight. The board is not hearing testimony. Mr. Hail summarized that apparently there was some work done and there's some work to be done. Is that accurate?
>> Um yeah. I guess I guess my question is um you know stay mic. Does your client does your does your client think that um removing the the the wall that he built and leaving a large hole with with debris uh
in its place? Does does he feel that that is uh an amicable >> Well, that's a work in that's a work in progress that Mr. Hail has offered to work with you on. So, you know, obviously stay in touch with him. That's nothing the board can help you with yet because
>> this was the agreement from the last meeting that >> I understand. I understand, but it's still a work in progress because there's been some adjustments and more particulars. >> So, as far as hopefully for the better >> from what I understood though um uh from the attorney, he told me this that
specific part of the agreement was not a work in progress. It was completed. He told me the wall was everything is done. Not our obligation. >> It apparently hasn't been completed to your satisfaction. So, in my opinion, it's still a work in progress. So, I would stay on him >> and if there are particulars that need
to be remedied, >> you're entitled to have them remedied. If you don't get satisfaction, you file a complaint with Mr. Monguso's office and it becomes either another amendment for this board to hear on February 25th if the board adjourns it tonight to that date, which is what the applicant is
requesting, or they could find himself in municipal court through Mr. Manguso's office if it's something that's violative of what the code requires. So there are two different avenues of remedy for you if it's but I always like the first choice would be to deal with
Mr. Mr. Hail has been an attorney in this town for many decades not years and he will work with you I am sure because he's done it with other applicants and other neighbors and and that would be the starting point. So, if there's something that you say, "Look, here's
the picture. Here's the way he left it." They got to do something. He might agree with you. Go to his client, say, "Unless you want to find yourself in municipal court or dealing with the wrath of this board in February, fix it. Don't wait till February 25th." >> I appreciate that.
>> Okay, that's the try it. You know, neighbors not always easy. I've said that. >> And and that's what we had assumed it would be, you know, dealing with the the wrath of the board on on this meeting, but it seems like a German after German. So I guess my question uh regarding the the proposal for the adjournment is um
you mentioned that uh there are plans to reduce more of the like the impervious uh structures. Do you have any kind of hard numbers of how much exactly percentage-wise um that >> No, those plans are going to those plans have just been submitted. That's why we're not hearing testimony tonight.
>> Just May I correct? >> Yeah, let me correct. So I I did have a meeting late yesterday with Mr. Hale and his client and I made some suggestions and I didn't think it was was fair to not have the board have an opportunity
to look at what was going to be changed and our design professionals which is our engineers. So Mr. Hail and his client agreed that they would get a plan for me and the engineering department to take a look at before we agreed to
anything to come back in front of the board. >> Okay. >> And and it sounds like your problem, and I'm not speaking for you, and we're not taking testimony. You're not under oath right now. I'm just helping you because you're here off the notice. It sounds like what you're reacting to
is either part of the residue from the demolition or the prior work that he's done to date, right? It's not >> neat or it's not done to your satisfaction. >> Three months a hole has just left instead of standing back fill of >> my I can't give advice, but my suggestion stands that you follow up
with Mr. Haley standing next to you tonight. He's heard it. His client's going to hear it from him, I'm sure. Um, this board can't do anything tonight. Mr. Mr. Monguso's office can do something if it's that bad and it's an issue of of code enforcement or something there that he could say, "Hey,
you got 10 days to clean this up or fix that or fix this." Or if not, you know, you have a glass of eggnog next week and maybe you can work it out with your new with your neighbor, right? I mean, that's always an option. It could happen. >> Thank you. >> And I invited
you showing me photographs tonight. Email them to me and I'll review them tomorrow with my client. That doesn't surprise me. That's why I mentioned Mr. Hail's reputation preceding him in that regard. >> I have I I have no further questions, but I speak.
>> Are there any members other members of the public that would like to speak or comment? >> Sad Shafi, owner of 19 2771 ME Avenue. Actually uh as we heard the from the first time in September
when my neighbor said all I need I need two two months only to complete whatever but this two months is going to be up to another two years with every time he want to adjourn I want to adjourn he want a job and leave the whole street mass and this street mass is between my
house and his house and the majority of mass is coming to my house not to his house. >> Are you next door to him? >> He has another building in the backyard. This building I do nothing at all. This but should be like this building close
to the pool and this building for diving and this building invade the privacy for my house completely. I do have a fancy six feet but this diving building it's over this six feet. So the when they go in the top of this diving building it's
invade our brightness completely. I show the picture to someone >> again. These are going to be particulars that the board my understanding is >> Mr. Pens if I if I may add to the to the uh >> it's a big rock and these rocks >> I understand that my fence
>> let let me explain please to the to the board. So, even though that everything we're going to be considering, okay, impervious coverage that's on the original application and everything, um,
the resident next door just noticed that there was a rock wall with a slide, I guess, there. >> It's not slide. >> It's a rock wall. >> Yeah, >> we were familiar with this. This is part of the original impervious coverage that
there's too much. So he just noticed it. We knew about it. So this is part of what needs to be corrected andor if you eventually vote that's what >> the vote would be on. >> I'm sorry Mr. I just noticed I have been
complaining to my neighbor regard to that bug. I told him that it look like something something wrong in this area. But sir, sir, the board has yet to consider that. So you're jumping to the last chapter of the book, but we're not there yet. And we understand your position, but we're not in a pos the
board's not in a position to do anything about it yet. They're in a there will be on February 25th hopefully and also in the interim between December 10th tonight and February 25th, you're going to see and visualize some improvements
and some change. That's the hope. That's why that's why this case hasn't been voted on. By the way, because >> December to February, I'm seeing more destruction. >> If the destruction and if the the disruption is bad enough, you have the ability to complain to the code
enforcement officer in town. This board can't this this application, as far as this board is concerned, is still a work in progress. They they're not they can't do anything for you tonight. You you vent it. That's fine. That's why I wanted you the opportunity to be heard. you have that right and that's what we
wanted. I think Mr. Monguso understands and I understand I made kind of a snide comment to have an eggnog because you have to coexist with your neighbor somehow. So you have the ability if you don't communicate with him directly and apparently you don't or or you don't do
it gracefully or you're not getting results use Mr. Hail cuz he's his representative and he's obligated to try to at least communicate to them what you're concerned about. And if we could fix it, that's the goal. I mean, that's everybody's goal. It's got to be. You got to coexist. You have to unless one
of you are going to move. That's the reality there. That's not land use law. That's not a lawyer talking. I'm not a board member, but that's reality. So, we're going to try to get every age so you could coexist and live as neighbors. That's the goal here.
There's still adjustments to the plan that we see. Don't forget, this hasn't been voted on for a reason. It hasn't been voted on because the board had a lot of push back on what they looked at. They weren't happy with it. There's changes that are being made. So, that's already a work in progress. So, you've
already succeeded. You, not that it's a contest, you and him, you're already going to see improvements on that because there's been cases where somebody comes in and the board says, "Well, we approve it." And the neighbor's not happy. But that this isn't the case. That hasn't happened here. You're going to see changes. The
board wanted to see changes. That's why they're coming back. Otherwise, if they voted yes, everything's okay. You know, they would have granted relief, variance relief, then you'd be stuck. You'd have to go to court and appeal it and tell some judge that this board was
unreasonable. We haven't done that. We're not Mr. Hail is trying to work with his client. and he's a good enough lawyer to work with his client to try to get on the same page as best we can. You know, usually both sides are going to be a little unhappy with it. You know, but
the board ultimately has to vote and rule the plans are going to change again. To me, if I were you, that's a good thing because that means you're going to see more improvements rather than them, the board saying, "Yes, what you have is okay, we approve it." Then you wouldn't
be happy. Yeah, it takes time. That's and now it's winter, so that's always that's a little tricky, too. And I know we said last time we envisioned 60 days or whatever it was. There's a couple of more changes. That's what Mr. Monguso is re You might have known about it and been
complaining about it. There's obviously a communication gap between you and the neighbor. It's not like you can talk over the fence. I do with my neighbor, but maybe you don't. I I appreciate that if you don't get along or maybe you're both so busy you don't see each other. No, they refocus completely to talk with them.
>> Yeah, they revoke any talking. >> You don't talk at all or you do? >> They don't want at all. They don't They said don't talk to us at all. >> Okay. Well, then that that's un that's unfortunate. I'm not blaming anybody. I'm certainly not blaming you, but that's unfortunate because you could resolve a lot of problems amicably
amongst yourselves, especially if it's so obvious. Obviously, it's obvious to you, right? You're that upset about it to be able and maybe Mr. Hail can articulate it to his client because that's all he could do as the lawyer. Ultimately, you guys, it's got to either be fixed or you got to live with it. And
it's okay if he's not violating any laws or if he's there's nothing that the town can do if he's you know some people don't like the color of somebody's house. You know, the town can't say paint it blue. I don't like it. It's yellow. I mean, some things you can do, some things you can't. >> But it's not painting. It's in
>> No, I know. I just was making an example. Yeah, I would see our property, too. This is the invasion for our property. >> I You've been heard. You're upset. We understand >> the good thing about what you were able to do tonight. Mr. Hail knows it. Now, if you're not talking to the neighbor,
he's not listening to you or whatever, he'll hear it from him. He still may not do anything. I can't guarantee anything, but this board can't do anything either. If it's bad enough and you're unsatisfied, Mr. Monguso's office will hear about it and you're going to lay it out and say
whatever the problem is, the grass is too high, there's the holes in the ground too big, it's dangerous, it's on my property, all you make a complaint, >> and they investigate it. >> Mr. Pensula, I spoke with Mr. Hail and the residents
before the meeting and explained to Mr. Hail he was going to go back and explain to his client that this was not acceptable. That's the best we could do right now. >> Right. If he doesn't go back, then call property maintenance and I will send property maintenance out.
>> That won't be till February 25th. That will happen before then. >> Yes, that's not going to wait till February 25th. >> Thank you. >> Come up and give your name and address. >> Hi. Um I'm Mrs. Shafi Nadra Shafi. I
live in 2 277 Meister Avenue. uh the same with him. I just want to add that we were talking to them. I was when we came into the househ >> I brought them food, you know, and and was talking to them and then when he said uh we're going to I'm going to do a
pool, he was talking to my husband and I was outside every then >> and he said he's going to do the the hierarch the the war >> curve >> and I said but our uh our um relator told us that this
>> um this that this curb is ours. And he said, "No, no, no. Look, look. This is mine. This is mine. I'm going to anyway I'm going to do it. I'm going to do a nice curb." >> Okay. >> So, he said, "It's on your side." >> But he took, you know, since we took from our land, he digged >> and he took the, you know, he digged and
he did the the part as you understand. >> As you know, so how can he just take the the take what he took out and >> he can't but it takes time to play out. >> I did talk to him first and then after that after we complain, oh, don't talk to us anymore. The wall is down now. >> Complain. He doesn't want to talk to us. >> It's the wall is down.
>> He's the one who does not want to talk to us. >> I shouldn't have said have a glass of eggnog and maybe work it out. I get it. Okay. I was just trying two weeks before Christmas to invoke a little civility into the If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. That's fine. It's noisive. He does what he wants. Even
though it's not his ma'am, we understand. >> We understand it's a volatile situation. I get it. Mr. Monguso is aware of it. Yes, he's the one who is not talking to us. >> This board does not need to be aware of it tonight. We're not hearing the case. >> I'm saying because you said you guys you don't talk to him. No, we try to talk. He's the one.
>> So noted >> he doesn't want to get his way. He doesn't want to talk to us. >> Then you take it to the next step which is code enforcement property. >> One of my neighbor he said he thinks the whole street is owned by him. One of our neighbor told me that. >> Right. You're going well beyond what what this board can do.
>> Okay. And also as as said you we just noticed the the the the dive. >> That's a different issue. He'll take care of that. >> I did not just notice the dive curve. I called one time and I told him they have a dive. A lady answered and she told me let them enjoy their pool. Yes, they can have a dive.
>> All right. We >> I got >> we understand. Now we're going too far a field from saying what happened when I tried to call to about the dive thing. >> Understand? >> Okay. Thank you. Any other members of the public would like
to comment on this application? >> Hearing none, Mr. Mr. Pansula, we're going to do this without further notice. >> The letter the letter does wave the time constraints. It would be without further notice to the regular meeting night for the board of February 25th, 7:30 in this room.
At this time, can I have a motion and a second to adjourn tonight's meeting and have a continued hearing for February the 25th, 2026, and it will be without notice. Can I have a motion in a second? >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion at
calendar number 3462, David Carrera, 2775 Meister Avenue, block 3610, block one, accessory struct structure and lot coverage be adjourned and carried over to
February 25th, 2026. >> Second a motion. >> Roll call. >> Mr. Wy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Martins, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. McNeel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Graves. >> Yes. >> Miss Rickettts. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Champion. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Hill, please have a conversation >> with your uh client. Please >> have a conversation with your client regarding that. >> I definitely will. And again, I encourage the neighbors to send me those photographs and their issues. They have my email address.
Thank you. For the benefit of the public, this meeting is adjourned until February 25th, 2026. The meeting will be held at 7:30 in this room Wednesday the 25th of February. It will be without notice and applicant
has waved time constraints. Thank you. Continuing with tonight's meeting, our next order of business is calendar number 3466. Location is 310 Carnegie Place, JL LLC,
block 5811, lot 40. Applicant wishes to construct a two family dwelling. And again, this is carried for continued hearing. Uh, and that was our October 15th meeting. >> Yes, very much. You're stuck with me again here. Uh, and it's somewhat
similar to the last application, although slightly different. uh we were here and uh it was encouraged that they make some changes to the plans. We do have those plans. Um I handed Tiffany a bag with all the plans and I think she
she may have distributed them to the board members today, but we didn't think it was fair to and we just got we've been pushing our professionals to get us the plans as soon as possible. They were delivered to our office today. That's why we packaged them up, brought them this evening. Uh we obviously want to
have an opportunity for the board to review these uh the plans and for also the board professionals collars and the other departments fire and the like to review them. Apologize for the last minute submission. Again we were pushing our professionals to get them to us as soon as possible. Uh we did send a
letter actually Natasha from my office sent a letter yesterday uh requesting that again this matter be carried. Again I apologize for having you come out tonight. such a beautiful night before the holiday season, but uh uh that the matter be carried without further
notice. We did speak to Miss Wanuso and Tiffany and targeted the February 4th. Uh got to keep remembering it's 2026 meeting of the board and again hopefully you'll have an opportunity to review those plans and we'll get a report from
the board professionals also. So >> with a similar waiver of any time. We included that in the letter and I'll stipulate this evening that be carried without further notice and stipulate to any appropriate extension of time. >> All right. At this time, can I can I
have a a motion and a second to adjourn tonight's meeting? And it's for calendar number 3466 and it will be continued her it will be continued. It was February 4th, Mr. Hail. Yes,
correct. >> It'll be adjourned till February 24th again without further notice. >> February 4th. >> February 4th. Uh Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that we uh adjourn.
Calendar 3466 310 Carnegie, please. JL LLC, block 5811, lot 40 to construct a two family dwelling be carried over till February 4th, 2026. >> Second the motion.
>> Roll call. >> Mr. Wy, >> yes. >> Miss Martins, >> yes. >> Mr. Johnson, >> yes. >> Mr. McNeel, >> yes. >> Mr. Graves, >> yes. >> Miss Rickettts, >> yes. >> And Mr. Champy, >> yes. >> Thank you very much. Again, apologize for the last last minute submission and
wish all of you safe and happy holiday season. Enjoy and be safe. >> Again, uh for the benefit of the public, this meeting is adjourned until February the 4th, 2026th. Applicant has waved any time constraints. It'll be held in this
room on Wednesday again, February 4th at 7:30 and it will be without further notice. Thank you, >> Mr. Chairman. There being no further business coming before the board this evening, I move we adjourn. >> Second.
>> All in favor? I >> opposed. Good