Transcript for Piscataway Zoning meeting on March 25 2021

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Speaker 0     00:00:00    Zoning board of adjustment meeting will come to order. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided in the following ways. Notice published in the courier news notice posted on the bulletin board of the municipal notice made available to the township clerk notice sent to the courier news and the star ledger. Will the clerk please call the roll.  
Speaker 1     00:00:20    My muted. Yes. Mr. Zimmerman. You're Mr. Tillery here. Mr. Reggio. Mr. Bloom. Yes. Mr. Patel. Yes, I know Cal pass. She was on Mr. Mirando. Yes. Mr. Ali. Yes. Chairman Cahill. Yes, Roy. I just talked to him two hours ago. Would you like me to give him a call? Why don't  
Speaker 0     00:01:07    You do that after we do the salute to the flag. Okay. Please stand for the slipped and flag. . Are there any changes to the agenda? Yes,  
Speaker 2     00:01:32    We have one change that I'm aware of. Uh, the application of Michael Murray, six, 11 and six 16 William street is going to be adjourned until April 22nd, 2021 with no further notice by the applicant.  
Speaker 1     00:01:43    Um, chairman K hill Paris Realty has also postponed.  
Speaker 2     00:01:50    Do we have a date for them?  
Speaker 1     00:01:51    Same thing, April 22nd. No further notice.  
Speaker 2     00:01:55    Harris Realty is also a journey.  
Speaker 0     00:01:57    Okay.  
Speaker 1     00:01:59    I'm going to mute myself and call Roy.  
Speaker 0     00:02:04    That'll take us to item number five 20 dash ZB dash 41 slash 42 V M and M partners in Piscataway chairman. Uh, I am Doug Wilson representing the applicant. Uh, my recollection, hopefully the sheriff or Mr. Keeley. Mr. Wilson, let me cut you short, real quick. We were prepared to go to we're prepared to go to a vote right now. I believe when we left that when we had that five and a half hour marathon a few months ago, when we got to have this meeting at around 1230 quarter to one, I believe that the next course of order was for the board after we took the straw out. But that the next, the next course of order would be to, um, to actually vote on the application at this point. Thank you, Mr. Reggio, at this point, I'd like Mr. Conneely to summarize and then I'll put it to the board for a vote. Okay.  
Speaker 2     00:02:54    Applicant's here for a, an application for use in bulk variances and preliminary and final site plan, uh, to construct two warehouse buildings. Um, they provided testimony on several occasions, uh, the members who were here or eligible to vote. Uh, it is my understanding. There were several members who were appointed at the beginning of the year. They have all reviewed the transcripts, uh, and those members are also eligible to vote. Uh, I believe that Mr. Reggio is now present with the board, is that correct? Okay. Uh, I believe we now have, uh, seven eligible members, which is why this matter was adjourned for a couple of occasions, um, with regard to conditions, uh, the applicant agreed to address or testify with regard to Mr. Henderson's reports, Mr. Carly's reports and Mr. Chadwick's reports, um, with that said, Mr. Chairman, I believe now maybe the time  
Speaker 0     00:03:53    During the meeting. Thank you, Mr. Chameleon. Um, having reviewed the testimony, uh, I believe the applicant has provided enough evidence to warrant a use variance for this application, and I make a motion to approve it with the conditions that you stated. I second that, so that was Warren Lawrence, sorry,  
Speaker 1     00:04:19    Mr. Zimmerman. Yes. Mr. Tillery, Mr. Reggio? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Patel, Mr. Patel. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Ali. Yes. And chairman Kao.  
Speaker 0     00:04:41    Yes.  
Speaker 2     00:04:43    Uh, the application has been approved. We will memorialize it at our next meeting and send a copy to you.  
Speaker 0     00:04:48    All right. Uh, any chance you could send me a draft? We can make sure that no typos or things like that.  
Speaker 2     00:04:53    I would never have a typo, but yes.  
Speaker 0     00:04:57    Thank you, Mr. . I appreciate your handling in this fashion, but how am I going to bill my client for any time I stay on as long as you like, we like the company as the, as the client, Mr. Chairman have a good evening. Thank you. Thank you, Jim. Appreciate it. Thank you, Mr chair. I appreciate it. Let's move on to item number six 20 dash ZB dash 20 slash 21 slash 22 B Macedonia original freewill Baptist church  
Speaker 3     00:05:27    Evening. Good evening.  
Speaker 2     00:05:30    Good evening.  
Speaker 3     00:05:32    Thank you for hearing us this evening. I'm Diane abuelas of at McCarthy representing the applicant, Macedonia original freewill Baptist church. What you have before you is an application for, for single home family, how's it homes. Um, the variances requested have changed due to an ordinance that was passed. Um, last month by the municipality. If you'll see on your agenda, the variances requested, included, um, minimum lot area, minimum width, and minimum footage. All of those are not required. There's only two variances, um, a front yard setback, and that is now a propo required is 25 feet and proposed is 24.2. And then also the church is a conditional use on that property and has been for, um, sometime the condition of the conditional uses that be minimum lot area of two acres with the subdivision that is requested. Uh, the lot area will be 1.21. So tonight I have, that is a brief overview of what the application is, but I have, um, an engineer and planner, Joe Steiger. He will serve as both. And Ivano Laurie Rolando is the architect. And if you'd like, I could jump right into their testimony. Uh, Mr. Steiger,  
Speaker 2     00:07:13    It's Mr. Steiger present.  
Speaker 3     00:07:16    He is, I saw him through a bunch of pigs. Uh, he was on the last page. Oh boy. Mr. Steiger. Dan, are you in? Okay, let's see if we can go to,  
Speaker 2     00:07:47    I hear something, Mr. Staggered.  
Speaker 3     00:07:58    Okay. He is got kicked off. So Ivano, are you in,  
Speaker 4     00:08:05    I mean, I'm  
Speaker 3     00:08:06    Here. Okay. Um, Ivano Malanda is our architect. Um, we could, uh, start with that, just to give Joe a few minutes to get in if that's allowable. Sure. Okay. Not the normal function, but not the normal way you do it, but, uh, no, you normally engineer, but, um, I think Ivano can, uh, give you a quick overview of the property and then the four homes. If you could,  
Speaker 2     00:08:36    Could you raise your right hand? Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give should be the truth? I do your name and address please.  
Speaker 4     00:08:43    If I know Melinda 55 Jefferson avenue, Elizabeth, New Jersey.  
Speaker 2     00:08:49    Can you, uh, spell your name please? Yes,  
Speaker 4     00:08:52    I V a N O. And the last name? M a R U L a N D a. Thank you.  
Speaker 3     00:09:02    Okay. Um, can you provide your, um, CV and professional, um, education and experience to allow you to serve as an architect?  
Speaker 4     00:09:14    Sure. Um, I graduated 20 years ago from . I have been working at James where a PA for 19 years. I am a licensed architect in New Jersey. My license is current. I am also certified and I have testified before the New Jersey board. I'm sorry. I was as credentials. Thank you. Um, I can, uh, start sharing my screen. I'll, uh, start with the floor plans. Okay. So I'll start with a 100 now. Uh, this are four lots. Uh, each Lord's going to have a one family, uh, dwelling on each of the lots. Um, I don't have the site, but you know, engineer will come in and he'll show the, the, the site area of, of each of the dwellings. Um, so this I'm showing the proposed floor plans, uh, on the right. I have the first floor. And, um, so you walk up through some steps. They're going to be different steps in each house because the grading is different and you will see that in engineering, uh, you walk up and you come into your front door and you open into a entry for you.  
Speaker 4     00:10:34    That is two stories high. Um, on the left, you have the stairs to go to the second floor and on the right, you have a dining room area as you walk up further. Yeah. There is a door that takes you to the stairs for a basement. All four houses have a full basement, of course not on the garage, just the rest of the house. Um, as you keep on going forward, uh, you have a large open space, which, which is your living room, uh, too many. And I know open kitchen, uh, on the right towards the left. You have the access to a two car garage, um, that goes to the front and, and that area. You also have a mudroom and a powder room, uh, go now to sheet  shows the second floor and roof plan on the left. We have the second floor.  
Speaker 4     00:11:28    The set is the two story foyer, and this is the stair that takes you to the second floor to a central, uh, hallway. Uh, in front, you'd have a laundry. You have, uh, three bedrooms, two in the back one towards the right of the front, with the closets. Um, the whole, we will have another closet and to the front on the left, you have a large master bedroom with a master bathroom, uh, to guide his shower top and a large walk-in closet, um, on the right, we show the roof plan and it's showing a skylight. The skylight is going to be right above where the stair is. I'm going to go now to sheet G 200, uh, which shows the elevations of the project. Uh, the first one is the front elevation. Uh, these are all typical plans. Does it have the same floor plan, same elevation for Ohio four houses?  
Speaker 4     00:12:26    Uh, this is the front elevation. Uh, you have your two car garage door. Uh, the area that the entrance is, uh, we'll be using the stone for the facade. Uh, the rest of the house we'll have a vinyl, uh, around, um, all the, the current developments are vinyl trends. Uh, we have vinyl windows, um, aluminum gutters, aluminum leaders, um, and asphalt shingles. Uh, we are showing an overhang over the garage. That overhang is just 18 inches, uh, as per the ordinance. Um, as we go below, we see the right side elevation of the house. Uh, again, the same materials wrap around. We see the, the, the stone at the entry. We see the chimney, which will also be enclosed in stone. And the rest of materials will be the same vinyl siding, asphalt shingles, uh, the area that encloses the basement wall. We see we have the basement wall in some areas because of the changing grade, uh, that will be stucco and every house has access to the rear yard, uh, because of the changing rate.  
Speaker 4     00:13:34    There's another step there in the back, which has metal railing and concrete step steps. Um, the, the houses will have, uh, different, uh, colors, uh, when they're facing the same street, uh, to give some, some change since they are next to each other. Uh, I'll like to go to, she G2 a one, we show the other two elevations. This is the rear elevation and the left side elevation, basically the same materials. We see the stone at the chimney vinyl siding, this taco, uh, same materials on the left elevation. This is the overhang that I was saying that is just 18 inches. Uh, that's what I have to show. Um, if you have any questions,  
Speaker 3     00:14:26    So there are, um, four homes. I saw one of the questions and we will obviously discuss more on the property as soon as Joe and he is in. Um, so, um, there are four homes. There was a question there in the chat.  
Speaker 4     00:14:43    Yes, there are four homes, uh, two face to face. They each face a different street and you will see it on the side plan once a is shown.  
Speaker 3     00:14:57    Um, if there aren't any further questions for the architect, I can,  
Speaker 5     00:15:04    Well, let me, it's the board, the board have any questions for this expert? I have some questions you're asking for a variance for some steps that on the homes that face, um, Roosevelt avenue to come down mistaken.  
Speaker 4     00:15:27    Um, I believe so. Yes.  
Speaker 5     00:15:31    And again, you have quite a few steps you have, again, it appears that the first word elevation moves homes is quite higher than the street elevation of Roosevelt avenue that not,  
Speaker 4     00:15:45    Yes, the, there there's a very different grades on some of the houses. So there's some that will have a lot more, more steps.  
Speaker 5     00:15:51    Correct. And is that just so that you could do walkout basements on these homes?  
Speaker 4     00:15:56    No, it is in order to work better with the grades they engineer we'll, we'll get more into the drainage and grading. Uh, okay. Uh, so the idea is to get a better drainage on the side, um, and also be able to have, you know, remove less land, less soil on it, so that we're trying to work with existing grades basically.  
Speaker 5     00:16:15    Okay. Because I mean, I, haven't an issue when somebody comes in here, you have four conforming locks, uh, but the homes are conforming. Uh, and I don't see, you know, again, we haven't heard planning testimony yet, but, um, it's going to be hard and you mean, the steps here are quite substantial on those homes because of the grades. And, uh, hopefully the engineer can enlighten us because, I mean, I know it's a minimal variance, but again, I don't see what the hardship would be to build homes that comply with the ordinance.  
Speaker 4     00:16:51    Right. And now these are open stairs, so it's all open. It's not enclosed. Uh, we do have,  
Speaker 5     00:16:56    But yeah, but you know, you have a big landing set of steps, another landing and another steps down. Um,  
Speaker 4     00:17:03    Yeah, that's certainly, so it was more comfortable to go up. It's quite, um,  
Speaker 5     00:17:07    Because of the grade, but right.  
Speaker 4     00:17:10    Um, cause then you might have to need, uh,  
Speaker 5     00:17:15    I mean, I understand what you did, but what you're doing is you're, you're doing things that, that benefit the, the cost of building, which is not something that is really a consideration for the board is that you need to excavate more soil or perhaps you need to make the house smaller. Um, again, I just, you know, I'll wait until I hear all the testimony of the engineer, but, um, again, you have homes that are close to 3000 square feet. It looks like for plan wise, uh, in your testimony, you talked about walking closets and the floor plans are pretty nice, you know, uh, pretty substantial rooms and, and, and, and it's a nice hole. And again, it's nice that you want to build these nice spacious homes, but again, I don't, I don't see where the hardship is going to be to allow for the homes to be, you know, big enough where you need this variance, uh, for that front yard, uh, encroachment, when you could probably massage the, the architecturals on the, on the homes and, and have it comply with the ordinance.  
Speaker 3     00:18:22    Sorry, avant. Um, so presently, the requirement is 25 feet and we're at 24 feet, two inches. Um, right. So  
Speaker 4     00:18:36    That's only for two of them houses, the only ones we  
Speaker 3     00:18:38    Have. Right, right, right. So this is because of the grade, which we'll discuss with, um, the engineer, but, um,  
Speaker 5     00:18:47    It's because of the grade, but it's because of the grade debt that you're trying to accomplish again, it's, it's a sort of a self-imposed R-CHOP in the sense that you can lower these homes and it would just mean more excavation.  
Speaker 4     00:19:01    Yeah. But you might start seeing some detention walls. So that also, um, if there is more aggressive, when you start seeing those detention walls, when you have to dig down  
Speaker 6     00:19:13    And Mary Henry, this is John, I think we, you know, this is a 10 inch variance. They, they have to show some crazy unique is to this property to justify it. So they should probably give it a second thought as we move on.  
Speaker 3     00:19:31    Okay. So just for clarification, it's not 10 inches, it's quaint eight inch it previously, Well, I just wanted 10 inches versus less than an inch is important. I just wanted to clarify it so that we understand because of the change. So,  
Speaker 6     00:19:53    And also, also should recognize that the tangent did a, re-examination read your, the master plan. And this property was, uh, made conforming actually to this subdivision through a zoning revision.  
Speaker 3     00:20:07    W and if we need be we'll comply with, we can comply with this there. So, um, we can have the engineer testify now he is on,  
Speaker 4     00:20:21    Okay. I'll give it to stop sharing.  
Speaker 3     00:20:24    Yes, please. Because, um, he had to get on his phone, so I'm going to be doing the sharing. So that's going to be  
Speaker 0     00:20:38    Interrupting  
Speaker 3     00:20:39    For a second. Yes,  
Speaker 0     00:20:41    Yes. Could you please just make an announcement to the, um, the, uh, public that the, we don't take chats. We will have a, uh, a public portion where they be able to actually speak to the applicants if they want. I think the attorney was answering some chats there, and I don't want that to break up the fluids of the, of the,  
Speaker 3     00:21:02    I did feel compelled to do that.  
Speaker 0     00:21:05    Please know, we have a public portion where everyone who wants to be heard,  
Speaker 2     00:21:07    We'll be hurt to the applicant and to all members of the public that are listening on this application. Um, this is the time for the applicant to present their, uh, testimony. If you have questions, please hold off on those questions until the applicant has completed their testimony. And at that time, the matter will be open to the public for you to give comments on the application or pose questions about the application. And I would also ask the applicant not to address chat questions that pop up during a testimony, because we want to get through the flow of the application.  
Speaker 0     00:21:44    Thank you, Jim. Please continue. Ma'am  
Speaker 3     00:21:48    If I could call Joe Steiger. Um,  
Speaker 2     00:21:52    Mr. Steiger, are you here?  
Speaker 3     00:21:55    Yes, he's on iPhone six. S so can you say something so we can, uh, we can hear you. Okay. Okay. It looks like we have a problem. Um, Dan, are you still on technical difficulties?  
Speaker 7     00:22:34    Can you hear me? Yes.  
Speaker 3     00:22:37    Now we can hear you.  
Speaker 7     00:22:41    Yes. Can you bear with me? Like I have to go back to my zoom so I can see myself and see the board. Oh, hold on one second. Um, Okay. I think I see. All right. I can't see myself. I see, I see the screen and you can hear me. I presume. Yes, my right hand.  
Speaker 2     00:23:10    Do you swear the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth?  
Speaker 7     00:23:13    Yes. I do  
Speaker 2     00:23:14    Your name and address please.  
Speaker 7     00:23:17    Yes. My name is Joseph Steiger, S T a I G a R. My business address is 2 45 main street, Chester, New Jersey. I'm the principal of dynamic engineering dynamic traffic. I'll go through my criticism. I'll go through my credentials. Yes. I have a bachelor of science, master of science degrees, civil engineering, New Jersey Institute of technology, where I've also been a adjunct professor in the department of civil engineering. I have a professional engineer's license in the state of New Jersey, as well as other states are Northeast professional planners licensed in the state of New Jersey as a peer  
Speaker 3     00:24:05    Before this board on numerous occasions. It's been a while since I've been in the township of the scout away, but, uh, throughout Middlesex county, throughout the state of New Jersey at some say, well over a thousand occasions as a professional engineer, um, qualify, um, additional special planner, stagger your financial forward. Thank you, Mr. Steiger, can we try to take care of that, um, variance, uh, right away and, um, indicate if you will, that we can resolve that and it's no longer a concern or a variance.  
Speaker 7     00:24:38    Yes. Um, we were asking for a variance of 24.2 feet where 25 feet is required, the front yard to the two, lots that front on Roosevelt avenue. We're going to remove that variance. We're going to set that building back, uh, another, uh, 10 inches, um, at 0.8 feet. Um, and, uh, so we will comply. So there are no dimensional variances at all being required for the, um, for the created lots. The only one that, I'm sorry, go ahead, Diane.  
Speaker 3     00:25:13    I just, um, want to take them through, I have shared my screen. I hope everybody can see it.  
Speaker 7     00:25:21    Yes, I  
Speaker 3     00:25:21    Can see it. Um, so if we could discuss the property itself and the subdivision Mr. Steiger.  
Speaker 7     00:25:28    Yes. Yes. As you can say, um, we, we front, uh, primarily on, uh, Highland and Roosevelt avenue of the church, which is part of the application property fronts on Ludlow street. Uh, we're subdividing, um, uh, the property. You can see the yellow line, uh, that, uh, being pointed to now, which subdivides the church property from the remainder of the property. And then we have the four locks that are also yellow aligned where the property line is of the visual lines will be as well. Although lots complied in dimensional requirements, 7,500 square feet, all the setbacks, um, um, comply. And, uh, as I pointed out before there are no dimensional, uh, variances, um, uh, for the, um, for those lots that we are requesting variances for, um, there are, I'll go through the rest of the property, um, in terms of, um, uh, we do have the, uh, existing Macedonia freewill Baptist church will remain.  
Speaker 7     00:26:43    We're not touching that property at all in terms of, uh, any modifications for parking, lot, the driveways, the building all remain and will continue to function exactly as it functions today. Um, we have access, as you can see from the plan from Highland avenue and Roosevelt avenue, and those will remain total 41 spaces and, and they will, they will remain as well. You can see where the development of that church property is and the gray area, uh, and, and some of the lawn I'll call it grass area and the lighter green area, but to the left or to the west of the church, you can see a darker green area that separates the church property from the proposed, um, uh, houses. Uh, that's a wooded area that will remain. So we have a nice buffer, um, maintenance, maintenance of existing trees, existing vegetation, uh, that will, that will remain that we're not touching. So, um, you know, we're creating a situation where there's a nice buffer between the properties, um,  
Speaker 3     00:27:54    Just starting here. Would you like me to put up the site plan, or can you finish your testimony from this document?  
Speaker 7     00:28:01    I think I, well, I think the, uh, plan, this plan probably illustrates a little bit better for the board and the color rate coloring colorization of it. Um, this is a site essentially the site plan. Um, although it's been colorized, as you can tell. And then to the further west of the proposed lots remains undeveloped as well, that that digitation of trees will remain as well. So, um, we're only, we're only developing the four lots that are being proposed. The remainder of the property remains on touch. Um, we are, um, I'm going to go through the, um, uh, some of the other plans, but, uh, if the board wishes to go through them, uh, separately, the, uh, the grading plan, the drainage plan and so forth, I can certainly do that, but the grading plan is simple. It's simple. Um, the property primarily of the four lots, primarily drains northerly to Roosevelt avenue, the front of the buildings along Highland avenue at the driveway, let's say the driveway line to the building drain and grading towards Highland avenue.  
Speaker 7     00:29:16    But the remainder of the property, uh, goes to Roosevelt avenue, uh, the minor development in terms of, um, New Jersey, um, uh, D P standards. And, um, uh, the, um, uh, the, uh, there is no, um, uh, storm, uh, storm, uh, control, um, because of the storm water management features because the minimal disturbance, as well as the minimal, um, and pervious cover, that's being proposed utilities. Um, we have, uh, our water and sewer that drains that are in the, uh, Highland avenue, uh, that will provide those utilities, gas and electric, uh, are on both streets. Um, so that's how utilities will be handled as well. Can you hear me? Oh, okay. Um, that's, I mean, that's it, that's a quick rundown. Um, if the board has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. Uh, any other testimony retired?  
Speaker 0     00:30:34    Does anyone on the board have any questions? Any, did you have, um, questions you were before we couldn't get in contact with this gentleman?  
Speaker 5     00:30:44    Well, there's the whole staff report that they should probably go through and address item by item.  
Speaker 3     00:30:49    Yes. Mr. Steiger, that's the December 1st, 2020 memo from a Piscataway township zoning board of adjustment. Um,  
Speaker 7     00:31:03    Yeah, I'm trying to find, um, yep. I have that here. That's the December 20, 20, um, letter. Um, yeah, I'll go through the, um, the points I'm looking at the first point under site impact LOI is required to show the existence of absence of wetland. Uh, there are no we've, we've, um, analyze the site where there are no wetlands on the site and we B we will provide a letter from a wetlands professional certifying that is the case.  
Speaker 5     00:31:37    Will that be submitted to DP again? And now the why is really the only official, uh, way to determine whether or not there's absence or presence of wow.  
Speaker 7     00:31:46    If the, if the board requires that that's,  
Speaker 5     00:31:50    That should be a requirement.  
Speaker 7     00:31:53    Okay. Yep. So that's that we will comply with that. Um, I'll get into the, the next, uh, two and three are primarily, uh, testimony, planning, testimony. I will provide that. Uh, so if we can just hold that for, uh, for the moment  
Speaker 5     00:32:13    You could eliminate, because since, since this report was written, the ordinance a rezoning, the property has taken place, so two would not be really applicable anymore, but, uh, number three,  
Speaker 7     00:32:27    Yes. Number three deals with the church yet. Conditional use,  
Speaker 3     00:32:30    Likewise for Iran is a planning testimony issue. Um, Yeah. Yes,  
Speaker 7     00:32:40    Yeah. Four, yes. We agreed to four. Um, five is what we agreed to that one six. Um, Ivano, um, that's a, that's an architectural comment and I'll defer to him, Uh, actually number six, if I, I think that deals with a, um, a variant, which we have,  
Speaker 3     00:33:06    Right?  
Speaker 7     00:33:09    Yep. Uh, number seven, we agree with eight. Uh, we agree with, we need those approvals, uh, nine, uh, we will provide, um, sidewalks and curbs along the property. Frontage is of the homes before homes that were, um, that were constructing.  
Speaker 5     00:33:29    What about the rest of the property you own this whole track? Um, and I believe township typically wants curbs and sidewalks. One low front is  
Speaker 3     00:33:42    Even wooded. Frontage is, I guess that's the question. This PR the property on the side that's not developed. Yes.  
Speaker 5     00:33:50    It's all part of this. All of these lots are all part of the application. So when the application comes in, we typically would request that sidewalk and curbs be installed on all fronts. If typically at wants, they don't exist in sidewalks along all front.  
Speaker 7     00:34:07    Well, we, we request a waiver from that. If it's, if the board is willing to grant that, uh, being that, um, you know, I think it's, I think it's over a little bit excessive and in terms of, uh, disrupting the, we're trying to maintain the vegetation as much as we can, if those lots are developed in the future, they would have their sidewalks and curb lines put in at that point. But at this point I'd be like, just like to keep it natural, um, element of the, those that property, but we'll defer to the board and their wishes.  
Speaker 7     00:34:50    Okay. Next one, utilities. We have a letter from a water, um, water company that their design is acceptable, um, as New Jersey American water. And we'll provide that if need be to the, uh, to your engineer, um, the 11, the proposed soar manhole. Let me just read this, uh, located in Highland avenue right away should be relocated to the road. Each lot along Highland should be tied at the sewer line directly in front of the home. Uh, what, what we're trying, what we, the way that we've designed it is we're trying to minimize, uh, the amount of disturbance on Highland avenue, which has, um, board may note that, um, is newly paved and there's a moratorium to cutting it up. So what we've done is we've combined, our connections are sore connections together, so that we have one line that connects into the street. Uh, the sewer lines of the, of the four homes joined together and then, and then tie into the main on Highland avenue. Otherwise we have 44, we'd have four curb cuts in.  
Speaker 5     00:36:03    I understand that. And I, I think I appreciate the fact that you're trying to minimize the, the openings, but due to the fact that there's a moratorium to begin with, um, you're sort of at the mercy of that moratorium. So I would say that that should be subject to approval of the account engineer, as well as the supervisor of engineering, because ultimately, um, if they want the connections to be individual and that's what would have to happen. If, if again, um, they may be fine with it. I'll just say that let's defer that to the township engineer and the supervisor of engineering, uh, for, for the acceptable way of tying in the silver to the  
Speaker 7     00:36:50    Yep. Exactly. So, uh, 12, we will comply, which is deals with the fence, uh, 13, the more that talks about the Mo well moratorium. Um, and again, uh, same, same time. They will we'll work with the township engineer from what's best, um, street trees, um, must be provided. We will comply with the street trees. Number 14, we'll comply with, uh, 15, uh, we'll add trees where necessary, if, and, and if there's inability to provide those trees, just because we're bunching them up and the, uh, viability of those trees, maybe detrimental we'll pay into the township fund, um, for the trees that we do not, uh, provide for other 42, we're going to try to apply. We'll try to put the 42 replacement trees if it starts to get to, uh, to condense, uh, we will pay into the, uh, township tree fund, the remainder, uh, new walkways from the sidewalk to the church she'll be provided, will comply with that. And number 17 architect will show the building Heights and gross. I think that's just a statement. Oh, should shell, I'm sorry. And we will do that  
Speaker 3     00:38:11    And will comply with the Middlesex county. I think that actually has been submitted already. Right, Joe? I think so. Yeah.  
Speaker 7     00:38:18    Yup. Application meaning I'll actually, we got, I think we got a letter of no interest from the county, but we will, we'll provide it to the township. Right. Um, do you want to go the, um, Mr. Carly's, uh, comments of January 28th of this year,  
Speaker 7     00:38:45    Right. That's pretty easy too. I don't think there's anything that, uh, uh, that we will not comply with. Uh, now I'm looking on page one, uh, and the comments and numerically listed here, uh, we will comply with one, two is just a, uh, no comment, just statement three. We will comply, let's see 4, 5, 6, 7. We will comply, uh, eight deals with the, um, structures, uh, some storm water drain the structures. Uh, we will review and confirm that the storm structures are clean and in good condition to handle proposed connections. So we will provide that documentation to the engineer. Nine is we will comply. 10 is just a comment, um, as there's 11, no responsibility needed on that. Uh, 12 is a we'll comply. 13 is a welcome fly as needed. 14 is a will comply and all the points underneath it. Um, and I think the rest is, uh, well rest is, will comply, um, vendors, this, uh, uh, additional information or, or, or requirements that we will provide the township as well. So no, nothing controversial at all in terms of, um, those items.  
Speaker 5     00:40:24    Yeah, so far so good. Um, like I said to me, Carly's report that he would have to comply with that report. Mr. Crawley is not here, so, um, we'll just leave it at that. We'll comply with that report and you can work out, uh, any items with, uh, with Mr. Carlin.  
Speaker 6     00:40:41    Like, we'd make that contingent upon approval.  
Speaker 7     00:40:46    Yes. They can be conditions for awhile. I believe.  
Speaker 6     00:40:52    Um, if there's no further, I don't know if there's a report for myself. I'm sorry. This is John. John is John Chadwick. Yes. If you don't have it, it's dated November 17th and it is prepared prior to the zoning, uh, amendment for this property. So the comment that says to the zoning amendment, uh, I'll just skip over the testimony on the, uh, various to the conditional use for the church. And you finished your testimony on that, Joey, you,  
Speaker 7     00:41:44    We're going to, I'm going to follow after the engineering, John, uh, we'll provide that testimony.  
Speaker 6     00:41:49    The only item I have it relates to engineering, your plan shows overhead wire connections. Can you speak to that?  
Speaker 7     00:42:01    Oh, uh, overhead. Well, the, um, overhead and wires, as opposed to going underground into, towards the homes. Yes. I mean, that's, that's, what's typical in that, in that, uh, that area, If they want over underground, overhead the overhead to underground. We're fine.  
Speaker 3     00:42:24    I don't think we did Joe.  
Speaker 7     00:42:29    No, no, we're not. We like to make,  
Speaker 3     00:42:34    I know, I think we'd like to maintain overhead.  
Speaker 7     00:42:46    I'm looking at our,  
Speaker 6     00:42:49    I mean, the, the, the basic standard of connecting new homes due to, uh, utilities is they're underground.  
Speaker 3     00:42:59    Is that available in this area? Do we know Joe?  
Speaker 7     00:43:05    I wouldn't know how to,  
Speaker 6     00:43:10    Why don't we leave it if it's available through the utility, you'll do it. Obviously you couldn't comply. We, there is a comment in terms of the remaining Leanne's of this property, but it's, again, becomes a, I would draw it because the rezoning took place several comments in terms of landscaping, drainage, et cetera, all dealt with either in response to Henry Henry's report or jolly college report. Um, and that's it, in terms of the engineering design standards, the comment, the comment is the planning comment for the various, for the conditional use.  
Speaker 3     00:44:10    Great. And we'll address that. Yes.  
Speaker 7     00:44:15    Okay. Any other members  
Speaker 6     00:44:17    Of the board have any questions?  
Speaker 3     00:44:21    Uh, Diane, can you share your screen, please can, Yes, I can. Um, Mr. Steiger, can you, um, give the benefit of your planning testimony or has that been, you've been allowed to be an expert already, right? Yes. Yes, that's correct. I'm working on the end sharing. There we go. Okay. Joel, if you could give us the benefit of your testimony regarding, uh, the planning obligations for the use variance for the church.  
Speaker 7     00:44:58    Yes. Um, uh, the church, we have two conditions that we do not meet. Um, the lot size two acres is required and we're providing 1.2, one acres. Um, and the second one is that direct access should be to a, to, and from a collector or arterial road. Um, in my, uh, opinion, these, these roads aren't technically arterials or collectors, we're in a local neighborhood. These are more, uh, local roadways. So these are the two conditions that we do not meet. Um, in terms of the lot size, this is a small church. Um, it, it, it, and this is a condition, uh, and, and what I need to show in terms of, um, planning justification is that, uh, compliance with this condition does not create any undue harm, uh, negative impacts, uh, to particularly to the neighborhood. It's a smaller church, as you, as you saw from the, uh, aerial photograph there, um, it is contained and within a specific area, we're not expanding that, uh, that church any way. Um, and so therefore, um, I don't believe there's any negative impacts that are generated by not full compliance with this condition. Uh, the church is not expanding, excuse me, not changing,  
Speaker 1     00:46:29    And somebody's sharing their screen. Can you please ask the public to unshare their screen? I can't unlock them.  
Speaker 2     00:46:35    Okay. Well, you can tell no one is permitted to share their screen, unless they have permission from the chairman of the Skyway zoning board. If this person does not comply, they will be ejected from the meeting.  
Speaker 1     00:46:48    Thank you. I can do thank you. I apologize.  
Speaker 7     00:46:52    Yeah. So where, while I do agree that that this is not, it, this is an intensification of the conditional use requirement. We are, uh, I have, do I have a smaller lot than what's the standard for, um, uh, for that condition? I don't believe today, any negative impacts that are created by this, um, by what's being proposed by the smaller law, uh, in terms of the direct access to a collector arterial, this is a hardship, uh, certainly, um, uh, there are no collectors arterials. This church has existed for decades, I think as a, as a, um, a good aspect to the neighborhood. Um, and the fact that we do not have direct access to a collector arterial, and we'll continue to, to operate in the same way without any negative impact as well. Uh, this is a church it's inherently beneficial use, uh, in, in, uh, in terms of, um, weighing the benefits and, and, and negatives and benefits. So I think that, uh, that speaks for itself, um, uh, and as well. So again, I, I believe that the test for the, uh, the variances from the conditional use requirements, uh, can be granted. Um, and, and that the test is certainly we met the proper tests, that there will be no negative impacts by strict compliance with these conditions.  
Speaker 3     00:48:19    Thank you, Mr. Steiger, do you have anything else? Um, that concludes our testimony.  
Speaker 0     00:48:28    Um, Henry Henry had some issues with the architect about, um, you mentioned soil, same on  
Speaker 3     00:48:38    You.  
Speaker 0     00:48:42    Okay. That do what, what you said that they might be addressed by the planet oil, the  
Speaker 5     00:48:49    Mr. Chairman. I haven't heard anything that would change my opinion as far as, you know, requiring again, there's I don't see any basis for the front yard setback marriages. Uh, the testimony was that it's only 0.8 feet. Well, my opinion would be, is it's only 0.8 feet to chop off the house and make the, uh, the rooms 0.8 feet smaller and got a home that complies. Right. So  
Speaker 3     00:49:14    We agreed to, we agreed with Mr. Steiger in the beginning of his engineering testimony that we will comply with the front yard setback variance. So,  
Speaker 0     00:49:27    Yep. It was addressed. Thank you. Thank you, Henry. Oh, is there anyone else on the board have any questions about this application for this expert hearing none? Um, Jim, shall I open it to the public now about this or show, uh, let, miss, uh, the bullet settle the application?  
Speaker 2     00:49:51    I, I believe if the testimony has been concluded, you can open it to the public. The only caveat is we're now going to open it to the public for comments or questions on this application. Macedonia there's no, uh, you're not permitted to ask questions or make comments about other applications,  
Speaker 6     00:50:08    Jim, we should mark that exhibit. That was up on the screen.  
Speaker 2     00:50:12    Um, Ms. Debbie Ellis was F submitting as part of the application  
Speaker 3     00:50:16    And submitted, however it was colorized. So I would submit it as an exhibit.  
Speaker 2     00:50:21    Okay. So that'll be a one with today's date and you can supply a copy of that to the office. Thank  
Speaker 0     00:50:29    Okay. If there's no questions from anyone on the board, there's no questions from anyone at the board. I'm going to open it to the public. Anyone else? Any questions about this application? Um, please feel free to ask step up or comments, Ms. Mr. Chairman. There's an Andrew who had his hand up first. Andrew. Andrew. Yes. Hello everyone. Hi. Are you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth? Yes, sir. Can I have your name and address please? Andrew Morris for 10 Highland avenue scattered away. Thank you. So how's everyone doing pretty good here. We're hanging in there, buddy. We trying to get it done. So, as you guys know, there's been a longstanding history with this property with a big guardian Macedonia and the community residents. I think people like Ms. Buckley, you guys know John Chapman, you guys know Mr.  
Speaker 0     00:51:35    Cahill, you guys know, and maybe even Hemi, you know, it's been a long standing history. Uh, so, so Macedonia wanted to build eight houses on their wooded property approximately two years ago, maybe two and a half years ago. So that didn't go through the committee, as you guys know, uh, I guess they withdrew their petition, but there was a discussion after the zoning meetings and with, uh, the residents and, uh, I guess they had a Macedonia church there and it became yes. A understanding that yes, you know, we were opposed to, uh, um, um, some houses like maybe four at four houses would be fine, would be okay, but eight houses that would make a congested very dense and populated, you know, over dense area. So they kind of agreed to that. And so there was like a, uh, understanding, uh, that that would be okay.  
Speaker 0     00:52:43    Uh, so we're kind of like yes to that, but we're like, no, also, because it's my understanding as I read the plan, uh, uh, uh, that, that there is some type of, um, uh, side Anchorage, uh, uh, setback that they want to because they wanna, they want to move the, uh, well, they, to put the potential new houses, uh, back toward the Macedonia church, the actual building that they, that it's already on a variance of 1.5. They want to make it on 1.2, which backs it up more towards the church building itself, if you could, if you could follow me. So, so with that being done, what that does is open up the rest of the, the area going towards going south. I think as what, uh, Mr. Steiger said, uh, in that direction, it opens that up for, as Mr. Seiger said, uh, the potential use of further development on that land in the future.  
Speaker 0     00:53:59    And that's where the concern is because initially, like I have verbalized, uh, two to three years ago, they went eight houses there and we all had a, you know, community neighborhood, resident understanding, okay, four houses would be beautiful. That would be nice fit, fit, fit in the conformity of the woods and fine. But now, since this thing is being moved up towards the back of the church, uh, it opens up that other area wire, and we have four more houses. It could easily be put if there's some other type of arrangement. So the answer, so, you know, that reduction in their landscape area, giving them more space, it gives it more room for, uh, in two to three more years to put another four houses there or two or three or four houses there. So since they do have enough space for the four houses, why would they, they wouldn't need a variance to move the property up to towards the building of Macedonia.  
Speaker 0     00:55:13    They have enough acreage right in their zone right here, right now, this very evening to build the four houses. And there's no real, um, but I don't know of the real actual purpose of asking for a variance to move it up for what reason, where they have land enough right there with them to build it. And now I get a side area variance. So if, if someone from the board or whatever, could they couldn't because that's, that would be the problem. Uh, they have the land. It is in, uh, it would seem to be that they would have to comply with, with, with the ordinance and they could fit there very nice four houses in the woods and meet the ordinance and everyone could go about their deck, but to move it up, it leaves that door open for two to three years for now, till you, you know, let's build up two to three more houses, and then it's a condensed area and it's overpopulated and it's congested, and it becomes a mess if truth be told.  
Speaker 0     00:56:26    So, um, I would ask you to please say no to that variant that brings this already from 1.5, to bring it to 1.2 that's 30 feet. It's only like take 30 feet. It's like, it's like 10 yards and football. So it's one little football thing over, boom, move it back, let us let it go. 1.5 and put in there is only 10 yards. So, um, but that makes a big difference for the future. But in reality, 10 yards is virtually nothing. Just move it over and the same compliance of 75 to a hundred works perfectly. Thank you. Now.  
Speaker 2     00:57:11    Thank you, Mr. Marsh.  
Speaker 1     00:57:12    Good evening. Good evening. We had other people waiting. You can't just start speaking. I have to, I have an order please. The next one is a Zack.  
Speaker 2     00:57:28    Zach, did you raise your right hand? Do you swear? The testimony you're about to give should be the truth, Jack, I cannot hear you. Is he muted?  
Speaker 1     00:57:50    Laura?  
Speaker 2     00:57:51    You hear me now, Zach, do you swear that the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth? I do. Could I have your name and address and spell your last name please?  
Speaker 8     00:58:00     address is 1 73 Mettler's lane. Descheduling New Jersey. Last name is D a R O U I C H I thank  
Speaker 2     00:58:10    You.  
Speaker 8     00:58:12    So I like to think the members of the board and the public, uh, for allowing us to come to them and have this forum to speak about these issues. That mean a lot to us. Um, so to be Frank, I joined this meeting because I was directed to, to, um, towards a different cause. Um, one which I will not mention, uh, due to the rules of today's meeting, but I do want to state, uh, publicly for the record, my opposition to any warehouse development and just getaway.  
Speaker 2     00:58:41    Okay, sir. You're, you're not commenting on this application before the board, your, your, your comments are out of order. If you can Tinder continue with them, um, we will inject you from the meeting.  
Speaker 8     00:58:53    Uh, thank you, Jim. That is all I have to say. Thank you, sir.  
Speaker 1     00:58:59    Uh, Stacy Berger, Ms. Berger, I let other people go first. That's fine. Okay. Mr. Ahmed then saw you from before  
Speaker 2     00:59:09    Mr. Ahmed, could you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth? Yes. Thank you. Your name and address, please.  
Speaker 1     00:59:18    My name is . My address is three nine  
Speaker 9     00:59:21    Highland avenue, Piscataway New Jersey. Thank you. Um, good evening, everyone. Um, I am a residence of right here, right across from the church. And, um, as you may know, uh, that, uh, the, the amount of traffic we get from the church, uh, the parking is an issue. Uh, the Highland avenue Roosevelt avenue and Largo state street gets inundated with the parking, um, being that on the Highland avenue, there are three charges, um, and we are going to, um, uh, give permission to build this for four houses and in future likelihood of more houses getting built, uh, we as a resident, the parking, uh, is an issue. Our guests cannot park on top of that within the 300 feet. There is a, uh, you know, a school over here which has event. So overall there's a parking issue. Now, if you are reducing the, uh, charged property, which is already under a variance from one, uh, two acre to 1.5, and now you're reducing to 1.2 in future.  
Speaker 9     01:00:29    If this church grows, there is no other way around to increase this charge, allow for more parking in the parking lot, uh, make a parking lot on the other side of the, of the street and, and to the point where the applicant was, uh, mentioning that it has been operating without any issues for decades. Why are we changing it? If it is operating for decades, that is not true statement. It has been operating with the issues that is being created to the residents with this parking issues. And if it grows more, as you know, war population is growing, you know, you cannot tell me that this chart may not grow, and we are not going to have more, more, more, uh, issues to it as it is. We are growing more houses over there. Those spots where the charts used to park on the street of Highland and Rousseau are getting taken that way.  
Speaker 9     01:01:21    Now it's going to create more issues on the parking and you do not have anywhere else to grow, and you are giving over that land. Uh, so I would, uh, as a resident, uh, strongly object that the, uh, the church property gets reduced, uh, and to what Andrew Morris just mentioned, that this opens up that, uh, other issue that they want to fit in more houses over there for profit, as simple as that. I mean, uh, and, and, and creating more issues for the church to find parking spots. So, um, as you know, I can invite you and this pictures from where I live, the, the street gets inundated with, with, with, uh, with a parking issue, uh, the, with the people attending the charts. So this creates a big problem traffic wise to the residents. So we would really request the board to consider our, our problem that has already been there to not create even, you know, even to be a situation where we cannot come back from. Thank you,  
Speaker 2     01:02:35    Laura. Anyone else? Okay. Um,  
Speaker 10    01:02:40    Ms. Berger, Mr. Malloy seems to have, have had his hand up for quite some time. Well, I CA I have to go by who does it on the computer. I might not realize that he has to raise his hand using the reaction button. Um, so while he does that, but he's had his, I can see that he's had his hand up well, before I did. Um, I wanted to,  
Speaker 2     01:03:03    Uh, Ms. Barbara, can I swear you in? Absolutely. Could you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth, the truth, your name and address please.  
Speaker 10    01:03:13    Stacy burger, 2 33 Ellis Parkway.  
Speaker 2     01:03:16    Thank you.  
Speaker 10    01:03:17    You're welcome. Thank you, Jim. So I live close to this area. That's under discussion and I'd run by that church with some regularity, um, when I'm able to get out. And, and I can attest that the parking is absolutely an issue, and I commend the neighbors who are here tonight to talk about their concerns and hope that the board will listen to them because they live in that neighborhood and they have a right to be heard. I feel terrible for them and for the people who might be, uh, hoodwinked into buying the homes that by potentially get built, because there'll be subject to tremendous truck traffic. That's going to come through our town for all of the warehouses that you all are building. So I think you really ought to consider whether or not you should grant these waivers and even consider putting houses there at all.  
Speaker 10    01:03:58    And whether this development has any public benefit to the community and the neighborhood, because the air quality in our town is an F and that's in large part because of the development that you all have continued to approve. That puts warehouses in neighborhoods like the one that you approved on the other side of the Heights, and that you're now proposing to put or supporting and have supported to put on the, uh, surrounding art elementary school, over at Randolph bill at 1690 south Washington. So it's really unconscionable that you would consider putting more warehouses up and spending more time on the vegetation about these eight houses. Then you spent tonight hearing about what people's concerns regarding the environmental impact, the runoff, the wetlands, and the other air quality issues that have come up time and time again about warehouses that are going to surround 500 K through three children and something in the neighborhood of 50 staff, people at an elementary school, you really all ought to be, seem to yourselves except Mr. Tillery, who we appreciate voted. No on that. Thank you for your leadership, sir.  
Speaker 2     01:05:04    Thank you, Ms. Bert lore. Anyone else?  
Speaker 10    01:05:09    I guess Mr. Malloy, he doesn't he's down on the bottom corner. He hasn't reached,  
Speaker 2     01:05:14    But Mr. Malloy, do you wish to give a comment or a question?  
Speaker 1     01:05:18    Yes. You need to unmute yourself.  
Speaker 0     01:05:25    Okay. Can you  
Speaker 2     01:05:26    Hear me? Yes, we can hear you, Mr. Mulloy's  
Speaker 0     01:05:29    Finally.  
Speaker 2     01:05:30    Thank you. Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the  
Speaker 0     01:05:32    Truth? Yes. I don't have an address please. Three 11 Roosevelt avenue, Piscataway New Jersey. And your full  
Speaker 2     01:05:41    Name please.  
Speaker 0     01:05:43    Alexander C mulloway.  
Speaker 2     01:05:45    Thank you.  
Speaker 0     01:05:46    Well, I just want to kind of piggy back on, uh, comments made by, uh, the two other citizens that live near the church. I live down the street from the church on Roosevelt avenue, and my concern is for the future, uh, for the future of the church, church wants to expand. Uh, there should be enough property there that the church can expand the building and create adequate pocket pocket is an issue. Uh, I wait to buy a house there, uh, beside the church and they use the park and as a, uh, meat to, uh, for people to come to their functions, that's that, that would not be right, because when they have funerals and other functions, it does get crowded over here. And it's not fair to the people that are going to buy the house, how there isn't enough land there for the church to, uh, to, to build those propose houses, without getting a variance to infringe upon the land that the church now owns.  
Speaker 0     01:06:56    You know, I remember when the church was built and, uh, the person that built that church went to a lot of, uh, jumped through hoops to get that amount of land, to build that church. Now somebody wants to, uh, reduce it. Uh, I just don't think that's right as, as a seller of, of this community. And I don't think a lot of the citizens of this community thinks is right. So I'm hoping that the, uh, the bullet, uh, see fit to not to approve this and keep the, uh, allow the church to keep the amount of land that the building this is on for future development and future religious purposes. It's a self-imposed.  
Speaker 2     01:07:42    Thank you, miss Molly, Laura, anyone.  
Speaker 1     01:07:47    The next one is Craig all Mac,  
Speaker 2     01:07:51    Mr. Almac are you, can you hear me? I can, could you raise your right hand? You swear the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth. Yes. Your name and address, please. Crank on three lake park drive. Thank you. Um, I had a question about lot sizes. Do we know the lot sizes for these four lots? They're  
Speaker 3     01:08:15    Each 7,500, correct. Joe,  
Speaker 2     01:08:20    Uh, in terms of acreage that's um, well, 20,000 acres. So that's a slightly under half acre, 40,000 as an acre. All right, so we'll call it under a quarter acre then. Um, how, w what's the, the, the, uh, proposed plots, uh, buildings, uh, comply with the, uh, current requirements for the township.  
Speaker 6     01:08:45    If I could help you out zone, they don't have any variances, the lot size dimension, setback, coverage, all the standards they conform to the variance on this application is the size of a lot remaining for the church.  
Speaker 2     01:09:05    Let's see. Uh, well, there'll be sufficient parking for the churches, the parking, the church's parking lot size changing. No, it is not. It is not. And is that sufficient now to meet the churches needs since from when it was built? Yeah. Do we have any information on that or Ms. Dabul is, do you have a witness to that? Can answer that question,  
Speaker 3     01:09:35    Joe, are you aware of the requirement for the number of spots for the church? I believe that it complies with the ordinance, whether or not there's, um, overage on days when there's funerals or the like, as indicated moved Mr. Malloy and others. Um, that's not something I guess we can control, but the ordinance, I think it complies with the ordinance. Is that correct? Joe, did I lose my engineer  
Speaker 2     01:10:13    Bag still on the line on the line, but you can hear him, Can he use his phone? I've heard from the three residents of Highland avenue and it seems their, uh, concerns are, uh, twofold. It seems that their concerns are that there's, uh, uh, overflow parking from the church in the area, in the neighborhood currently, and that additional development isn't going to improve that. And it also seems that they have concerns regarding future development on land that the church may in the future. So divide, um, are these, uh, I don't know if the zoning board considers these Mr. You froze from what I can see And anyone else up there?  
Speaker 1     01:11:23    Uh, yes. Ma'am  
Speaker 11    01:11:27    Hello?  
Speaker 2     01:11:28    Okay, good evening. Could you raise your right hand? You swear the testimony. I do your name and address please.  
Speaker 11    01:11:36    Matthew Novalog 1 32 eighth street and Skagway.  
Speaker 2     01:11:40    Thank you.  
Speaker 11    01:11:41    So I apologize to whatever extent this is improper. I just had a point of order. Um, I don't think we got the opportunity to be noticed to specifically request being noticed for the 1690 Washington F okay.  
Speaker 2     01:11:53    Yeah. That application is over. You're no longer permitted to make comments about that. It  
Speaker 11    01:11:58    Wasn't a comment. It was just a request to be noticed on the written decision.  
Speaker 2     01:12:01    Okay.  
Speaker 11    01:12:02    Requirement of the statute,  
Speaker 2     01:12:04    The written decision will be memorialized resolution that the board passes in a future meeting that board that, uh, decision that memorialized resolution will be part of the file. You can come look at the file and get a copy of it. Okay.  
Speaker 11    01:12:18    Right. Th that's why I have a point of order that the statute requires folks who specifically request, notice to be noticed. And that's what I'm doing now.  
Speaker 2     01:12:26    Thank you.  
Speaker 11    01:12:27    Okay. Thank you.  
Speaker 1     01:12:32    Okay. There's one more chairman, uh, telephone number ending in. I need new glasses, I think 9, 6, 9 0.  
Speaker 2     01:12:42    Here we go.  
Speaker 12    01:12:46    Um, yeah, I think probably the same thing on 1690 Washington avenue.  
Speaker 2     01:12:51    Okay. We're not accepting, uh, comments or questions on 1690 Washington avenue. We're only accepting questions or comments with regard to Macedonia original freewill Baptist church on Highland Ludlow and Roosevelt avenue.  
Speaker 12    01:13:08    Um, just general comment on that. Are there any zoning ordinance right now in place that when new houses are built, that they are at least minimum 2200 or 2,500 square feet? Because I mean like oftentimes people will take a big lot area divided half and half. They will jam the houses and make it smaller to maximize profit. Um, and yes, that all looks good on paper and Fiat money. Uh, but it doesn't improve the quality of living for future residents. So is there just general, um, like what I call true north in terms of when buildings are our habitats are built, uh, that does not congest the town with people to land density. Um, and whoever comes to this town, um, kind of get the feel of suburban town, um, rather than making everything as Midtown Manhattan or downtown Manhattan. We have cities like that where people can build buildings.  
Speaker 2     01:14:06    I haven't gotten your name and I haven't sworn you in.  
Speaker 12    01:14:10    Sorry. Um, my name is  Patel 29 redbud road. Um, and, um, I can raise my hand or the testimony that I'm allowed to give is the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  
Speaker 2     01:14:27    Do you swear that all of the testimony you have given will give is the truth?  
Speaker 12    01:14:32    Yes, I do  
Speaker 2     01:14:34    Have any further comments.  
Speaker 12    01:14:36    Um, no, that's, that's all what I had. It's just, uh, just general comment to the board and members, um, and also request to keep this town as a suburban town and truly live by that motto as opposed to converting this town as, uh, some Midtown or downtown. Um, and look, we are only hour away if people would like to live in that kind of environment. New York has many empty houses. Uh today's uh, folks are welcome to move there, but let's just preserve the integrity of this town, um, by making sure that the habitats that are constructed or whoever future resident come in, they come with an expectation that they would at least have minimum 1800, 2000 square foot houses with plenty of room to move in the front or the back. Um, and the cars can move easily. And if they do have guests at their home, even family of two or three or four, they can easily park their cars and they don't have to run around. I think those are just the basic tenant that we should focus on without getting the degree into the laws. And at least I would request the board to look into those things when permits are given. Thank you. Thank you, sir.  
Speaker 0     01:15:46    Laura, that's it. Okay. The public portion is closed now. I can't see the attorney come here. Oh, hi,  
Speaker 5     01:16:05    Mr. Cahill.  
Speaker 0     01:16:07    Yes.  
Speaker 5     01:16:12    It might have comments to make that, uh, we really still haven't touched on, or we touched on them, but you sort of sent me, we sort of circle back. And I think some of the testimony was that we leave it up to the board, uh, in hearing some of the concerns from the, from the residents. I think, uh, again, it just goes more to the point of why, you know, the sidewalks are necessary around the entire tract, um, because it seems like vehicles do park on the street and the sidewalks in front of the church where they're missing, uh, in front of the homes. And some of the other, uh, vacant tracks of this, of this proposal will provide a safe, uh, travel route for anybody that does park on the street, uh, to walk to the church in a safe environment. So again, I would ask that the board, uh, condition upon any approval, um, that again, the curbs and sidewalks that are missing along the  
Speaker 0     01:17:09    Waterfront, which is isn't this property  
Speaker 3     01:17:11    Of being installed.  
Speaker 1     01:17:13    Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, Andrew had his hand up again right before Henry spoke. I don't know if he's allowed to speak a second time.  
Speaker 0     01:17:21    Well, I'm going to, could it be Andrew? Yes, please. The public portion is closed, but you can recognize and just keep, keep it to a minute or two, if you would serve, we have to move  
Speaker 2     01:17:32    On and remain under oath. You can recognize  
Speaker 0     01:17:36    I'm under oath. So, you know, the main point was, again, that if there's that according to code to my understanding, if he has appropriate, if he has enough appropriate room, then he should build within those guidelines. So I asked that he please do that and not get a variance when he already has enough room. That's number one. So Hemi, give me right. Number two, is that there's a question about the deed. Currently the deed says affordable housing. So if he were to build a castle on that property right now, it would be, have to be an affordable housing, the castle. So, um, it's my understanding that he, that Macedonia has to go back to the town council or wherever to get the deed revise or, or approved to make it free for, um, commercial or, uh, um, um, you know, say out because right now, even a castle would be affordable housing. So it sounds like it's kind of going back with, cause if he builds these four houses or a castle, it's going to be affordable housing, uh, castles in the house it's at right here right now. So could someone, you know, please make sure that the D goes first and then you can build the houses, but you build the houses and you're going to have affordable housing. So it doesn't make any sense at this point in time, at least from the common man's, uh, perspective.  
Speaker 2     01:19:08    Mr. Maurice, I can talk to your, um, if there is some sort of a deed restriction attached to this, uh, property, it is beyond the jurisdiction of the zoning board. Ordinarily you would have to go to, uh, new Brunswick, uh, Middlesex county, uh, to get any kind of deed restriction addressed. So Ford would have no jurisdiction over that.  
Speaker 0     01:19:30    Yes, sir. Okay. So how about their lawyer? What is Mrs dabbler say about that  
Speaker 3     01:19:39    Chairman? Can I address yup,  
Speaker 0     01:19:41    Sure, please.  
Speaker 3     01:19:43    Mr. Maurice, I need, I needed the chairman to let me, um, so with respect to, to any deeds, obviously we're going to comply with whatever we have to do in order to, uh, build these homes. If the board grants, our request, as the board may recall this property, Macedonia has a, uh, it's quite a, um, quite some time ago, there was a request by Macedonian church to have affordable housing on this property and that was denied. Um, and then there was another request. And now this is the third go around for Macedonia to attempt to, to develop some of the property so that they can receive some funds. So, um, we'll obviously comply with whatever deed restriction or not that we have to, I don't believe that there is a deed restriction further and just want to address that each home exceeds the parking requirements, just in case. That was a question as well. And third, uh, we will of course comply with sidewalks for the entirety of the property as requested by Mr. Henderson.  
Speaker 0     01:21:00    Okay. Laura, that's the end of the public portion. Thank you. Um, at this point, I'm going to ask that we, Jim, can I get this car? I don't feel comfortable right now voting on this, based on the testimony of some of our residents. I'd like, I'd like to take the opportunity and I extend that opportunity to other members of the zoning board to go out to where the property in question is, uh, observe it, take in the concerns that the residents do have, and then we can vote on this after we've achieved that. Um, um, sorry to put it off, but I just don't feel comfortable. And that's why I did feel comfortable. I don't know if it would go anyone's favorite tonight. So  
Speaker 2     01:21:39    It's Dallas, would you consent to an extension of time? The board can conduct a site visit?  
Speaker 3     01:21:45    Of course.  
Speaker 0     01:21:47    Thank you. Ma'am okay.  
Speaker 2     01:21:49    The next meeting would be, uh, uh, April what? Okay, so you'd consent to an extension of time to April 22nd.  
Speaker 3     01:21:58    Yes.  
Speaker 2     01:21:59    Okay.  
Speaker 0     01:22:01    And I'd like to ask everyone on the board sitting here tonight, please make an opportunity to get out to that site and taking the concerns that our residents let us know about this evening. So we can make a better determination as to the validity of this application. Thank you guys.  
Speaker 2     01:22:16    So only one here on the application of Macedonia original freewill Baptist church. It's going to be continued to April 22nd with no further notice by the applicant. The only notice you're receiving is my announcement here tonight  
Speaker 0     01:22:28    Is to share. Yes, sir.  
Speaker 13    01:22:31    Um, out in reference to meeting, uh, on, on the site, actually meeting out on the site or we can we be allowed to, uh, speak with the residents? One-on-one I would like to get a chance to speak with some of these people that were on tonight to actually not just review, but go over it.  
Speaker 0     01:22:52    I, I would, I would, uh, entertain and entertain a thought. Yeah, I would definitely, I would urge you to do it at this point. We're here to represent the residents. Right. So,  
Speaker 3     01:23:02    Okay. So my chairman and counsel, um, the only difficulty there is that, you know, we don't have an opportunity, um, then to address whatever you're all is members are, are considering when you're making the decision. I mean, normally whatever evidence is presented is,  
Speaker 2     01:23:22    Uh, Ms. Fabulous. I don't believe that we have closed the hearing. Um, so you would have an opportunity to address, uh, any issues that come up at the next meeting.  
Speaker 0     01:23:32    I would ask the board members to ask you questions at the next meeting, Mr. Fabulous. Then you will have an option to address them at that point. Perfect. Thank you,  
Speaker 3     01:23:40    Your honor. I appreciate it. And I think, um, if I may probably the engineer and, um, architects wouldn't be available necessarily, but the planner may be  
Speaker 0     01:23:51    Okay. I think we've heard the most, pretty much all the tests on you. You're going to put, put on. Okay. Okay. Thank you.  
Speaker 2     01:23:58    I just want to mention to the board and put it on the record that the board members can go out there individually. They can go out there in small groups, but you can't go out there as a quorum. So four of you can not go out there together because that would constitute a quorum.  
Speaker 0     01:24:12    Thank you for clarification.  
Speaker 6     01:24:15    I tell him Jeff, just one minute that you really can't engage with the residency, that Question of where something is, but that's it.  
Speaker 2     01:24:28    If board members have conversations with people, um, they need to put that information on the record at the next meeting,  
Speaker 0     01:24:39    Which is what Mr. Bond said he was going to do fine. Okay. Let's move along to number eight. Really one day ZB dash zero four V Beverly's in Billy.  
Speaker 9     01:24:51    Apologize. I just want to ask one quick question. Civically pictures.  
Speaker 2     01:24:56    I'm sorry, sir. Could I, could  
Speaker 9     01:24:58    We provide a picture of the parking issue, uh,  
Speaker 2     01:25:02    At the next meeting you can provide, uh, you can provide evidence. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     01:25:11    Beverly's and belly. You all are willing to do this. It would have been awesome. Thank you, Laura.  
Speaker 14    01:25:19    Um, as much as I would, uh, Tim arch for the Beverly's and belly, um, application, as much as I would love to jump in now, I believe there is an applicant. And prior to that, on the agenda,  
Speaker 0     01:25:30    Yeah, geometry is first, um, number seven,  
Speaker 2     01:25:35    Number seven,  
Speaker 0     01:25:36    I got Harris Realty's number seven. I got Jeffrey, Z as nine. You look at your updated agendas when I send them to you. Why would I do that? 86 87 B. Okay. So it's number seven, whatever Laura just said, Diandrea carwash Southeast America.  
Speaker 6     01:26:03    Thank you, Mr. Chairman members of the board. I'm sorry, Mr. Uh, Mr. Chairman, uh, I didn't mean to interrupt, please. Continue. Thank you. Good evening. Members of the board and Mr. Chairman. My name is . I'm an attorney at law, uh, in New Jersey and I represent the guy at three toughness center. Um, I have, uh, w what normally I would say is a brief summary, but based on, uh, the hour, um, uh, I'm going to try to summarize most of what I have as best as I can, but it's going to be a little bit longer than brief that we could try to do this with two witnesses rather than three first as a housekeeping matter. If I may ask the board attorney, if he believes that he has an opportunity to review the notice and whether he believes that the board has proper jurisdiction in this matter.  
Speaker 6     01:26:52    Yes, I have. And the board does have jurisdiction. Thank you. Second housekeeping matter that I have, if I may is a, the, the staff reports that we'll be working off of this evening, I have a January 11th report staff report from the zoning officer, Ms. Corcoran. I have a February 19th, 2021 revised February 22nd, 2021 report for Mr. . I have Mr. Chadwick's January 27th report. Um, I have, uh, the approved fire, uh, fire Marshall Gore's, uh, memorandum, and also that the director of public works has no comments with regards to this application on unless I'm missing something. Those are the only reports that I've received, and we'll be presenting testimony based on those.  
Speaker 6     01:27:45    Please let us, uh, let's start with Mr. Interesting's report. As Mr.  has a 15 number paragraphs. I will say that we will provide testimony where he's indicated that he would like to hear something. Number 15, I'll circle back to that. Uh, as the board members have this as a site plan and as a use variance application. So it's a variance application as well. However, there is no vertical build-out on this. There are no structures that are being proposed. So it asks that the, uh, the board consider at the end of all the testimony based on what they hear to at least consider, uh, not making that a condition of getting permits to start working as the board will hear most of the work that's going to be done here is really planting. And we'd like to plant now rather than in June, when we think we might get a county, there have no interest in this matter, which we believe is appropriate, but we'll meet all of the other conditions and we'll provide testimony.  
Speaker 6     01:28:44    So let me give a very, uh, I said very brief already, but let me give an overview. Uh, this is property located the two 40 ten-year-old, which used to be an industrial building, an office building at approximately 20,000 square feet. A little bit more than that. Our clients purchased this property sometime the, uh, uh, 2010 timeframe. And, uh, this, at that time, it was a vacant commercial building. As the members of the board are probably aware there were a number of vacant or underutilized commercial buildings up and down, uh, Centennial avenue. Uh, this was purchased by a not-for-profit entity for use as a house of worship and as a medic, uh, meditation center, which is conditionally permitted, it's an inherently beneficial use. It was permitted. We received board approval, uh, after purchase to use it for that purpose. We came back before this board in 2012, we got to use a variance to permit two of the meditative leaders to live at that facility up to, to, uh, that was also approved. Um, Madam Mr. Chairman, if I may take control of the screen, I'd like to at least put up the site plan that was provided. And I, of course, thank you. Uh, this would be,  
Speaker 6     01:30:05    Let's try this. Can the members of the board see that? Not yet. Uh, let's try this again.  
Speaker 2     01:30:37    Got it, Mr. , is this part of the submitted set, Mr. Ipol I can not hear you.  
Speaker 6     01:30:56    Can you hear me now? Yes. Okay. There were two submitted sets. One was a full-size and one was a, I guess, a 11 by 17. Um, the 11 by 17 was colorized. And this is exactly the 11 by 17. Okay. So this was not an MP separately. That's correct. Uh, and if you're just giving you, there we go. So just to orient the board members, uh, if you can see my cursor, this is Centennial avenue, and this would be the north and to the south is right here where the cursor is, or a residential property is all along the south here. There's a fence line here and a wooded area or a buffer area here. We're probably can't see as well. This is the building that I was talking about and the, uh, magenta color is the parking field what's proposed is this large area right here, which is all open grass, a porch that comprising approximately 7,000 square, a hundred square feet will be surrounded by fence.  
Speaker 6     01:32:11    And that'll be, uh, uh, black final fence, uh, on the wooden post. You can see to the left here, um, and that'll encompass what we would like to create here, which is a, um, a decorative, an area for many decorative plantings, uh, pavers and sitting area to create a meditation garden, uh, with, uh, some therapeutic benefits also to not only the members of the Gaietry temple who come here on a regular basis, but this will be open to anyone that wants to come and also utilize the meditative, uh, garden will be created. And I'll have two witnesses this evening or landscape architect. I'll also have our, uh, our planner, uh, go through the justifications for this. But, uh, just to give you an idea, this is a little bit hard to see here. So let me pull up another, what's being proposed. Now. This is sort of flipping Centennial is on this side now, okay.  
Speaker 6     01:33:14    Building is roughly over here and the parking field, uh, and the entrance is being proposed to be approximately a five foot wide, uh, paved walkway paver walkway. So it's all pervious, uh, by the way, everything that's being proposed here would be pervious in terms of the pavers now. And, uh, there will be a meandering walkway, as you can see here. Uh, the minimum width of the meandering walkway will be 40 inches. Um, and it'll be up to five feet generally all the way around, and there will be portions of this where we will have what are called acupressure pavers. And I'm not sure if anyone knows what those are. I didn't before I got involved in SAC, uh, in this application. And essentially they are pervious textured pavers, uh, that when you walk along them to have a therapeutic benefit, because they, uh, they put pressure on the bottom of your feet.  
Speaker 6     01:34:14    So as people stroll through the gardens that are being proposed here, there'll be a large number of plantings here to promote that meditative effect. Uh, you can also walk on the pavers or choose not to walk on the meditative, I'm sorry, the therapeutic acupressure pavers, which you can walk on just normal pavers. If you wish now on either side of these intermittently, uh, cross the property or along the pathway will be, uh, low voltage, um, accent lights for the pathway itself. So you can see it as you're walking along and there'll be approximately 21 to 24 inches high off the ground. And again, they're low voltage. So there won't any spillover of lights to two other properties that will also be low voltage accent lights for the trees that are proposed along here that will aluminate upwards towards the trees. Just like you would find in homes, in residential properties throughout the municipality.  
Speaker 6     01:35:15    Again, there won't be a situation where the light's bleeding over into neighboring properties and so forth. Uh, there will also be a, uh, what's being shown here as a, uh, as a pondless waterfall again, to create the, uh, impression. And there's more details that have been provided here. It's an ambulance waterfall, water being piped to the very top, and then it'll flow back down and circulate and create that sound. And again, a meditative effect, there will also be two fountains that are being proposed, and we're not talking about a Las Vegas type fountains. They're very small fountains again, to, uh, to more or less foster, uh, sensitive, peacefulness, and quiet. Um, now the, uh, as I stated earlier, this will be open to the general public. Um, and if they wish to go as well, we are proposing to keep this open for the general public during times that the, the temple itself or the center itself is also open.  
Speaker 6     01:36:13    Um, and at nighttime, we'll close this off so that people aren't going in there, but we'd like to keep it open the same hours that the municipality keeps their public parks open. So, you know, we're not, we're not asking for a 24 7 type operation. Uh, there are also benches that are proposed along this walkway since a lot of the members of the temple are seniors. Uh, so they can walk and take a break and sit and listen to not only the peaceful, uh, restaurant of restorative sounds. Uh, but also a, uh, what's proposed is a speaker system throughout this area playing very low volume white noise, but natural white noise, meaning, uh, frogs, croaking, uh, you know, birds chirping that sort of sound natural sounds that will be quietly played in the background. Also, the idea is to create an Oasis from what is otherwise a very busy Centennial avenue, and we believe that it will harmonize with the, and the meditative purposes of the template itself. Now that was the extremely long opening of what we're planning on doing here. I'd like to have two witnesses to see great stop sharing at this point. Uh, actually, I'm going to leave this this out. I'd like to call it Craig Mandell with the board chairman with your permission. Absolutely. As a horticultural and landscaping designer, I'd like to qualify him as a landscaping and horticultural specialist. How are you, how are you? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth? I do. Yes. Your name  
Speaker 16    01:37:55    And address please. It's Craig Mandell, 46 Yorktown road, east Brunswick, New Jersey. Thank you,  
Speaker 6     01:38:02    Prey. Um, let's start first with your credentials. Okay. Could you give the board the benefit of your educational credentials?  
Speaker 16    01:38:09    Yes. I went to a Rutgers university. I have a degree in environmental planning and design. I studied landscape architecture, landscape design, and order culture. I am currently a landscape designer and contractor, and I've been doing this for over 34 years. Um,  
Speaker 6     01:38:25    That's why we need your credentials, please proceed. Thank you, Mr. Mandela. You've heard my very long opening statement. Yes, we can all agree to. Is there anything that you disagree with that you would have not have testified to, or will you endorse what I've said?  
Speaker 16    01:38:40    No, you spoke eloquently. Beautiful.  
Speaker 6     01:38:43    Okay. And do you believe that that it was truthful in terms of what, you know, to be the plan that is before the board this evening? Yes. Okay. Uh, now, uh, as a horticulturalist and landscaping designer, you have been involved with actually working on the plantings, the pavers, the pathways, the accoutrements that we talked about, including the fountain, the lighting, uh, the waterfall, is that correct? Yes. Okay. Tell us about the plantings.  
Speaker 16    01:39:13    There's an assortment of, um, different trees and shrubs and perennials and herbs that are going to be blooming at different times of the year. And they're going to also, um, attract different your senses for smell and sight. Uh, there is, um, we're trying to also create some trees that will grow to create atmosphere. So you're not just in a big open field, you'll have canopy over you. Uh, there's some medicinal plants that we're actually putting there as well, that can be actually picked and used. Um, there's a, there's also a rock garden that's going in as well, using large boulders and stones. Um, we did talk about doing, uh, the meditation path itself is, is incredible. I actually walked on these stones when they were made and I'm not used to it personally, but the S the meditation stones are fabulous. They are these little nubs that are put into the molded into the concrete. And when you walk on them, they actually press on your feet to activate nerve endings. And it's hard. Like I wasn't used to, uh, personally, but I think after time you could walk on it. So after walking on it, I suggested that they have a, um, a pathway adjacent to the, um, meditation path as well. That is flat. So if you choose not to keep walking on it, you can get off it and then get back on it again. But it's, it's a, it's an incredible, a garden that we're going to create  
Speaker 6     01:40:48    Now, uh, you're familiar with Mr. Henner scenes report, and he's our architect here in Piscataway. Are you not? Yes. And are you committed to working with Mr. Interesting to make sure that the architectural plans, the lighting, the sound system that'll be put in and all of the improvements that are being proposed will be in keeping with his request to make sure that the, uh, the Piscataway ordinances are satisfied, fully satisfied. Completely. Absolutely. Thank you. If the board members have any questions for Mr. Mendell and we're on the board, have any questions hearing none. Thank you. Chairman was you put on your neck? I would like to, I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I'd like to call him Mr. James Clark and the fourth as our planner, please proceed. Mr. Carson, are you here? I am. Would you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth?  
Speaker 17    01:41:54    I do. And yes. Your name and address  
Speaker 6     01:41:55    Please.  
Speaker 17    01:41:56    James Clark in 75, 23 German Tena, Philadelphia, PA.  
Speaker 6     01:42:01    Thank you. Uh, Mr. Clark, and you have appeared before this board is a planner in the recent past. If you're not  
Speaker 17    01:42:08    Actually it believe it or not. I've only been before. There's a planning board, actually. I've actually never had to go before the zoning board.  
Speaker 6     01:42:16    So let's quickly go through your credentials. Uh, I'd like to have you qualified with the chairman's permission as an expert in the field of planning?  
Speaker 17    01:42:23    Absolutely. So I have a master's degree in regional city planning from blasting and school planning and public policy. I've been a licensed professional planner in the state of New Jersey, uh, still in good standing for at least five years now. And as just mentioned, I've testified before your planning board and other planning and zoning boards in the state of New Jersey.  
Speaker 6     01:42:42    Uh, and you appeared before the zoning board as well here in Piscataway, correct?  
Speaker 17    01:42:46    Sorry, just the planning boards.  
Speaker 6     01:42:48    Just I'm sorry, your planning board as an expert there, correct? Absolutely.  
Speaker 17    01:42:54    All right.  
Speaker 6     01:42:56    Thank you. Now you've heard the testimony has been provided in my very long-winded opening statement.  
Speaker 17    01:43:03    Yes, I did. You're  
Speaker 6     01:43:04    Familiar with the plans and the application. Are you not? I am. And with the site itself,  
Speaker 17    01:43:09    Yes, but the site itself.  
Speaker 6     01:43:11    And so walk us through the general site overview and give us the planning justifications for granting the use variance that we're seeking.  
Speaker 17    01:43:19    Sure. So subject property is located on a slightly under five acre parcel in your  light industrial zone districts. Uh, it's blocked 6, 700, 3 lot five, uh, as mentioned, it's a single story about 20,000 square feet, 110 parking spaces. Um, it functions as a place of worship, which is a permitted conditional use in that zone, um, surrounding uses mainly commercial and light industrial and Centennial avenue with residential uses in the rear, uh, as mentioned, we're proposing the meditation garden, uh, it's about 7,600 square feet in size 2,800 square feet of those will be the pervious pavers. Um, the garden would be used by members of the place of worship as an accessory use, but also be open to the general public. Um, so, uh, D to use variants for an expansion of a non-conforming use starts with particular suitability, the original zoning board application for the onsite living of two meditation leaders approved by the board found particular suitability was present.  
Speaker 17    01:44:27    So I, since that was found in the original application, I believe it is similarly, particularly suitable as the structure parking lot. And living arrangements have not changed at all and will not change it. The board grants us an approval, uh, in addition, this use is inherently beneficial. So I've used this view of this small accessory use as a technical expansion, as just mentioned, we're not changing the structure of parking lot, and we're not intensifying the use to the number of leaders living on the site. Um, but technically if you, we are adding a gardens, you could look at this as an expansion. Um, but this is purely an amenity that is clearly accessory in nature. And really, I would look at this new, different than maybe a statue of a Buddha, a shrine, some other religious artifacts where people come to pray or meditate that can probably be found at almost any other religious house of worship.  
Speaker 17    01:45:23    Um, therefore as this is a technical expansion, its particular suitability is tied to the original suitability approved by the board back in 2012. So that should cover the positive criteria and moving on to the negative criteria, the sites particular suitability serves the general welfare, and there is no substantial detriment to the public good as it is totally passive. The vegetation and serene nature of the garden is a positive, not a negative in my view, uh, removing carbon out of the air, providing pleasant, visual aesthetics, and providing more buffer to the residences in the rear, the municipal zoning plan and master plan, won't be substantially impaired as we are adding a garden is a, an accessory use. Uh, and I believe the public will be advanced with no detriment with respect to furthering the goals and objectives that the New Jersey municipal land use law. I believe it'll further purposes G and I, we are providing sufficient space for religious to use with open space meeting the needs of New Jersey and Piscataway assistance as there'll be able to use it.  
Speaker 17    01:46:32    Uh, purpose G calls for providing a variety of uses to its citizens, which this application promotes purpose eyes, promoting a desirable visual environment through creative development techniques and good civic design. I believe the garden will be calming serene and peaceful while providing a desirable visual. So in my opinion, purpose, I is also voted. And then finally, uh, I believe this furthers the goals and objectives that the tantras master plan, uh, as you know, the reason master plan re-examine has goals related to open space and sustainability. I believe our project further those goals as we were providing more open space while also planting trees and other vegetation, uh, that can improve air quality helps the township and society move towards a more sustainable future, uh, and provide open space to its residents. So, uh, just to summarize, uh, I believe our project meets the particular suitability criteria. I believe there is no negative issues with our application. Um, and I can take any questions if the board hasn't.  
Speaker 6     01:47:39    Thank you, Jim,  
Speaker 0     01:47:42    Any members of the board have any questions for the planner hearing none,  
Speaker 6     01:47:49    Mr. Chairman, um, that concludes our testimony for this evening. I also want to add a, if I had not stated that earlier, uh, that we will meet all the state noise ordinances and the township, uh, state noise statutes. I shouldn't say any, uh, local noise ordinances, and also, uh, light ordinances. So there won't be any spillage of light older noise that would be detrimental as well.  
Speaker 0     01:48:15    Understood. Good. Did anybody, did you have any questions for issues,  
Speaker 6     01:48:20    Mr. Chairman? I do. Just to help Mr. Chadwick, please do this quick. You said the report, Joe, July, January 27th answered most of the questions. They will be lights. Are they going to be off when the park is closed? Yes. And same with the audio system. Audio system will only be on when, when it's open. Yes. And lastly, I forgot to ask you a landscape. Uh, are we cutting any trees down to build this? No, no, we're not. I didn't think there was, I couldn't tell. Okay. Well, those are the questions I had Mr. Chairman,  
Speaker 0     01:49:07    Uh, Henry, did you want touch base? So we got  
Speaker 5     01:49:10    Just briefly again, uh, I don't necessarily think that they're cutting some trees down. I think some of the trees were, uh, previously removed or had died from the previous application, uh, in speaking with, uh, with, uh, Parth from the, from the center. I think David Green to add a few, uh, evergreen conifers in some strategic locations to help offer the neighboring properties and sort of the fashion that the original plan had intended. And, uh, again, uh, you may want to just put a actual note earlier than perhaps 8:00 AM on the, in the sounds, uh, for the garden. Uh, the parks are basically dust the Dawn. And I just think that perhaps, uh, you know, it's, that could be pretty early in the summertime. So I think an 8:00 AM start time perhaps on the sound system, uh, passive noise or, uh, calming, calming sounds. Um, although calming and natural and, and, and sound, um, probably 8:00 AM would be, uh, early enough. Start time for that.  
Speaker 0     01:50:20    Okay. Are you, is that okay, Mr. ?  
Speaker 6     01:50:24    Oh, if, if that's the board's desire, we will certainly comply with it.  
Speaker 0     01:50:29    Well, we always take the recommendations of our initiative. Here's my understanding. Yeah. That would be the board's desire. Okay. Um, so if that's it, I'm going to, I'll put it out to the, uh, public public portion. Anybody have any questions about this application or comments about the, um, meditation garden? Um,  
Speaker 2     01:50:48    This is for comments about this application only if you begin to make comments about other applications, you will be cut off.  
Speaker 18    01:50:56    Sure. Uh, I think you called on me, right? Yeah. This is, this is Brian rack, 1247 Brookside road.  
Speaker 2     01:51:03    It's direct. Could you raise your right hand? You swear the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth. Yes.  
Speaker 18    01:51:09    Thank you. I just had a question. Is this, so this is turning in existing grass field into this garden, right?  
Speaker 6     01:51:16    It's correct.  
Speaker 18    01:51:17    Uh, Mr. Uh, Cahill, do I permission to serve my screen  
Speaker 0     01:51:21    To sure, please.  
Speaker 18    01:51:24    Cause I mean, I'm looking at Google maps right now and it looks like they already constructed the garden. I'm not sure if you can see that or not.  
Speaker 0     01:51:34    She had Google  
Speaker 18    01:51:34    Maps. I mean, this is, do you see the, this is the center it looks like, right. And this is the garden they're proposing, which is already existing as of 2021.  
Speaker 6     01:51:44    The garden has not been completed was that horrific order that was put into place because initially this was a garden that, uh, we, uh, began just like most folks that own pretty thinking that they could plant a tree on their property or put in pavers on their property. Uh, the township because of the scope of the prop project, uh, required us to submit an application, which we have, there has been no work done on that property. We don't get an approval tonight. We understand that. We'd have to bring that back down to its natural state prior to changes that were made. Yeah.  
Speaker 18    01:52:17    Okay. So, but, but that's different than changing an existing grass field into, uh you're you're saying, you said before you were changing a grass field into a garden, but you've already started building the garden and fence and path  
Speaker 6     01:52:28    And you've not built the garden.  
Speaker 18    01:52:30    Uh, okay. You've built a fence, a walkway, and it looks like graded everything to build a garden. So yeah, you haven't built a garden, but you've done everything else without permission.  
Speaker 2     01:52:41    Mr. Mr. Racket, the zoning board looks at this as if it had not been started and we'll view the merits of this as if it was still a grass area and the applicant runs the risk. If it's turned down that they have to restore it to that. But we'd look at all of the applications for things that have already been constructed as if it was coming before the board, before it was constructed.  
Speaker 18    01:53:07    Okay. I just think it's a little deceptive to say that it's currently Grassfield and they're going to make it something else when it's already something else, but that's all I have. Thanks.  
Speaker 2     01:53:16    Thank you, sir.  
Speaker 1     01:53:20    There's a phone number? Uh, the nine sixty nine. Oh again,  
Speaker 2     01:53:27    9 69. Oh, can you hear me?  
Speaker 12    01:53:30    Yes, I can.  
Speaker 2     01:53:31    And is this if I recall correctly, is this Mr. Patel?  
Speaker 12    01:53:35    Yes.  
Speaker 2     01:53:37    Okay. I need to swear you in again, since this is a different application. Could you raise your right hands? Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth?  
Speaker 12    01:53:46    Yes, I do. Thank you. Okay. Um, I just have a few questions. Uh, one was, um, how is the parking with all this garden and that's going to be done. Um, first question is that and the second question, um, and this is as general. Um, oftentimes, uh, people get very creative with this open space land act. Uh, the house of worship is a house of worship and open land act is something we just conservation areas and it should not be mixed together, uh, to get, uh, something sessions from the government. So yes, if you're building garden that's well and good, but, uh, when we talk about open lands, what we are talking is just natural environment where the bird life or any natural animal or bird life can, can sustain a garden is just for people. So let's just, let's not try to mix two things together, uh, by just creative use of words, uh, when we are getting like this open land concession or something like that. So that's, that's, those are the two points, uh, is the parking sufficient with all this garden and whatnot today?  
Speaker 6     01:54:56    Sherman may address those comments. Yes, please. First as to the question, there's no change that's being requested to the parking lot. The parking field will remain as is as for concessions that the, the, uh, applicant is seeking from the government for open land. I don't know where that was mentioned. I certainly didn't ask for it. And now the applicant didn't, it's not in our application, so I'm not sure where Mr. Patel believes that there was a representation otherwise.  
Speaker 12    01:55:27    Oh, I just heard, um, some, some segment, uh, during the clown conversation that, uh, this would be like kind of an open land or green space or something like that. So maybe,  
Speaker 6     01:55:39    Yeah, you use the word open Mr. Patel to saying it would be open for not  
Speaker 2     01:55:43    Only members of the temple public, but for public. Thank you, Mr. .  
Speaker 12    01:55:51    And, and also one more thing. I mean, I'm sure people would have granted this in 2012, but personally I'm against in people living like, especially in advanced countries, living in warehouses or commercial buildings. I mean, look, we have residential buildings, there's plenty of habitat and people should be free to live that I understand where this idea originates in forest, where land to people, density is out of whack, but sometimes you just have to be good stewards, uh, where we got to make sure where people live, where they belong. We don't, we don't sleep in our workplace. Like we go home and, um, I'm sure a house of worship, uh, when they come to this country, um, probably they should also educate themselves, uh, for betterment of everyone else.  
Speaker 2     01:56:39    Thank you, Mr. Martel, LOR, uh, phone number ending in six three eight six six three eight six. Can you hear me phone number six, three, eight, six. I don't see them anymore. Okay. Anyone else? Stacy Berger. Ms. Berger, did you raise your right hand, sir? Can you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth. Can you  
Speaker 19    01:57:12    Hear me? I'm sorry. Nope.  
Speaker 2     01:57:16    Okay. Hold on. Uh, who just spoke?  
Speaker 19    01:57:21    I'm sorry. This is Jessica  at, uh, six three eight six phone number. I apologize. I had some difficulty on me.  
Speaker 2     01:57:28    Okay, Ms. Berger, we'll ask you to hold on for one minute. No problem. Um, Ms.  could you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth?  
Speaker 19    01:57:41    Yes, I  
Speaker 2     01:57:42    Do. And could we have your name and address again, please?  
Speaker 19    01:57:45    Yes. This is Jessica credible. I'm at 1247 Brookside road.  
Speaker 19    01:57:55    Um, Mr. Icahn mentioned how the trees planted and his, uh, landscape architect mentioned how the trees planted would contribute to the removal of carbon. And I think that's going to be really important if we're going to build a lot of warehouses with lot of truck bays and have a lot more truck traffic, so good for them on building a garden, very small garden to help offset the children being polluted by the carbon emissions from the warehouse that you're building. I also wanted to say that I think that a good member of the board, Mr. Jeffrey Tillery, I think you're a great guy. And I think the rest you should really be ashamed of yourself for all of your behavior. And that's all I have to say. Thank you for the time.  
Speaker 2     01:58:49    Well, I believe Ms. Burke burgers up next, Ms. Berger, I believe I swore you in.  
Speaker 10    01:58:54    I did not see my, my address, but I'm happy to do  
Speaker 2     01:58:57    That. If you need your name and address, please. Sure.  
Speaker 10    01:59:01    Stacy Berger, 2 33 Ellis Parkway. I had a few questions for the, uh, the attorney Mr. Thigh. I'm wondering if the lights that are being proposed for this garden, which sounds lovely and is close by my neighborhood. Um, I'm looking forward to, uh, taking advantage of it, but I'm wondering if the lights that, um, Mr. Interesting to just be timed, um, are also something that could be timed similarly to the truck Depot that you put a G at the GE facility, because you told us then that there wasn't going to be a lot of disturbances and those lights are on first thing in the morning and they're on until 11 or 12 o'clock at night. So that neighborhood, you know, has a lot of light pollution at this point. And if we're going to take that into consideration, uh, for this, we should probably take it into consideration for the other projects that this attorney has put forward. So I'm wondering if there's an opportunity for us to review the light situation here.  
Speaker 2     02:00:00    Do you have any regard to the light situation for this particular application?  
Speaker 10    02:00:04    Yeah, I'm concerned that the lights are going to be on when we were told in other, another developments that they were not and they are so  
Speaker 2     02:00:10    Okay. And, uh, Mr.  I believe the testimony was that the lights would be turned on at 8:00 AM and turned off when the other public parks close.  
Speaker 6     02:00:21    I don't know that there'll be turned on at 8:00 AM, but they'll certainly be turned off, uh, when they close at 8:00 AM it it's probably  
Speaker 2     02:00:29    Thank you, right?  
Speaker 10    02:00:32    Yeah. The other question, if I, if I'm sure I want to strongly come in, uh, chairman Cahill for suggesting that the, um, that the board take a field trip and go out and talk to neighbors before you make a decision. I think that's great. And we would encourage you to do that in every application, including this one. There are, uh, neighbors in that area on the other side of centennials who may or may not be aware that there's going to be music pipe. It really does sound lovely. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of it, but you might want to take that as a, you know, as a protocol, you could go talk to the 300 or four kids at the Randall Phil elementary school. Before you decide to put a warehouse around the corner from their school group, you could do that with, with really every proposal that comes before you. So are you planning on going out and talking to the neighbors in this neighborhood too? Or is that just something you're doing on a case by case basis  
Speaker 2     02:01:22    That's done on a case by case basis  
Speaker 10    02:01:27    And what are the, what what's the deciding factor for whether or not that's something that the, that this  
Speaker 2     02:01:31    What, whether or not the board members now members go out and do field visits before the applications scheduled? So they're well aware of what's going on by the time it happens. Some of the board members don't have time to do that, but questions may be raised during the testimony that caused them some concern, and they want a field visit, which they haven't had an opportunity to do. And that's when they may pause the testimony to go out and do a field visit.  
Speaker 10    02:02:02    So there's no there's nothing in writing or nothing. Procedural. You don't need a majority of the people who want to do a field visit.  
Speaker 2     02:02:10    No, in fact, one of the cautions that I give the board is you cannot go out there with a quorum at the same time, because it violates the open public meetings act. The board members need to go out there singally and twos, threes, but not force.  
Speaker 10    02:02:26    So just to be clear, it was, it's fine to go out and look at at the previous application. Maybe you'll go out and look at this, but definitely didn't want to go look and see if where you were putting 250 truck bays in around the corner from it in elementary,  
Speaker 2     02:02:40    Ms. Berger, you don't know if the board members went out to see good area You don't know.  
Speaker 10    02:02:47    And asking me a question. Well, somebody should know. I mean, there's board members on here. They could speak up.  
Speaker 2     02:02:54    Uh, we're not talking about prior applications right now.  
Speaker 10    02:02:58    I see what the process is for this and other at this process because I find it very interesting. I think it's a great idea. Are you planning on doing that for this pro for this proposal? Or are you just go with, what's been put forward. There are there, are, there are homes around that are on the other side of that, of that area  
Speaker 2     02:03:22    With the board, whether or not they want to move forward on this tonight?  
Speaker 10    02:03:27    Okay. Well, I hope that it winds up as, uh, as something that's well done. It sounds really peaceful and lovely. It's unfortunate that it's going to be, you know, two feet from the last warehouse that your, uh, that your attorney put put up in the corner of a residential neighborhood that is operating 7:00 AM. I mean, there are trucks coming out earlier than these lights are going to be on. So y'all really should think about how you handle, um, you know, where you put these things, because it will not be extremely meditative when there are tractor trailers barreling around the corner from it.  
Speaker 6     02:03:57    Thank you, Ms. Laura, is anyone else?  
Speaker 10    02:04:04    Sorry. I muted myself. Um, no  
Speaker 6     02:04:06    Chairman though. Public portion is closed. Okay. Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry. Uh, the board, I'm sorry. We're getting some feedback. I understand. I would ask that the board, I don't have any other comments. I'd ask the board, look on the application. We O we will meet all the conditions, uh, and we'll continue to work with Henry in terms of the lighting and the overall design.  
Speaker 0     02:04:46    And you're okay with the 8:00 AM.  
Speaker 6     02:04:49    I think that'll be conditioned and certainly will  
Speaker 0     02:04:51    Not like the other parts. Okay. The  
Speaker 6     02:04:54    Sound will not go on before eight and the lights I don't anticipate we'll be going on,  
Speaker 0     02:05:00    But those conditions, Mr. Chairman, I make a motion to approve this application motion by Mr. Zimmerman. I'll second. It all. Cal pass. You got, please call the roll.  
Speaker 1     02:05:16    Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. . Yes. Mr. Reggio, Mr. Blount. Yes. Mr. Patel, Mr. Mirando. Yes. And chairman Cahill. Yes.  
Speaker 2     02:05:34    Your application has been approved. We'll memorialize it at our next meeting and send a copy to you.  
Speaker 6     02:05:39    Thank you, Mr. Chairman members, have a good evening.  
Speaker 0     02:05:41    You too, to item number 9 21 day. ZB dash zero four, vape Beverly.  
Speaker 1     02:05:51    Oh, there he is.  
Speaker 14    02:05:57    Uh, hello, uh, members of the board, uh, in March, I'm the, uh, attorney licensed in New Jersey for the applicant Beverly's in belly. Um, uh, first piece of business I would ask, um, if, uh, the board attorney has reviewed the notice and if we have proper jurisdiction, uh, before this board,  
Speaker 2     02:06:15    I have reviewed the notice and the board has jurisdiction to proceed.  
Speaker 14    02:06:18    Thank you. Um, this is an application for a pre-existing non-conforming, uh, certification, uh, or in the alternative, a use variance for a property located at, um, 1 8 6 2 west seventh street in Piscataway. Um, this is a two family home. It was built in 1919. Um, it's been in the Zam belly family, um, since 1991. Um, I have two witnesses, um, uh, that will testify tonight. Uh, first will be, um, Mr. Erickson Belli, he's the son of a Beverly's and belly, the owner. Um, he, uh, resides in the home. He's going to take us through some of the features of the home, um, and, uh, some of the unique features of the home. And then we have, um, Jim Higgins, uh, who was a professional planner, um, who will be testifying, um, afterwards. Uh, so that is my shorter than Mr. , um, opening statement and  
Speaker 0     02:07:12    Much shorter by the way.  
Speaker 14    02:07:14    And I will ask that, uh, um, Mr. Eric exam, belly, uh, sworn in and, uh, for testimony, please proceed.  
Speaker 2     02:07:22    Mr. Zahn Belli, could you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give you?  
Speaker 0     02:07:28    Yes. I know your name and address please. Eric Zahn belly 1 8 6 2 west seventh street,  
Speaker 20    02:07:35    Scattering New Jersey. Thank you.  
Speaker 14    02:07:38    Uh, so Mr. Zahn, Bella, you are the son of Beverly's and Belize that correct? Correct? Yes. And you live at the property and it's been in your family's, uh, uh, ownership since 1991. Is that right?  
Speaker 20    02:07:49    That is correct. Yes.  
Speaker 14    02:07:50    Okay. And, uh, I'm going to share my screen. So give bear with me for one moment. Okay. I'm not going to share my screen, nevermind that why don't you, um, cause there's an belly up, uh, front of the building. Um, can you describe the, uh, the porch and the entryway to the building,  
Speaker 20    02:08:25    The front porch? There's six steps that come up to their front porch. It covers the whole front of the house about 27 feet long. There's a front door that goes into the first floor apartment on the right. And then there's a front door that goes into the second door apartment on the left.  
Speaker 14    02:08:41    Okay. Now, um, these two entrances, um, there's a, there's one on, uh, I guess the right side of the porch, if you're looking at it. And that goes into the, the first floor apartment, is that correct?  
Speaker 20    02:08:53    Correct. It's more in the middle soon as you walk up the stairs, it's right in the middle and then the that's for the first floor and the one to the left goes to the second floor.  
Speaker 14    02:09:12    Somebody. Okay. Continue. I think we're okay. Um, and in that, uh, that first floor, uh, unit, is there a kitchen and a bathroom, uh, specific for that first first floor? Yes,  
Speaker 20    02:09:27    There is.  
Speaker 14    02:09:28    Okay. And the entrance that goes, uh, the entrance from the outside that goes up to the second floor. Um, the, on the second floor, there's also a separate kitchen and a separate, uh, bathroom on that second floor. Is that correct? Yes, sir. That's correct. And so those, both of those units have their own, um, separate, uh, apart from one another, uh, entryways, correct?  
Speaker 20    02:09:51    Yes, they do.  
Speaker 14    02:09:52    Okay. Um, so in the basement of the, uh, of the building, the access to the basement is from the first floor apartment, is that correct?  
Speaker 20    02:10:01    Correct. The first floor  
Speaker 14    02:10:02    Only. Okay. And the, and the majority of that basement is unfinished, is that correct?  
Speaker 20    02:10:07    About 60% is unfinished 40% is finished.  
Speaker 14    02:10:10    Okay. And in that, uh, area that is finished, um, can you describe what that finished room is? What's the purpose of it?  
Speaker 20    02:10:18    Well, when I lived there, I used it for like an office for myself, you know, just to do paperwork and the tenants that are in there. Now, the girl does arts and crafts that,  
Speaker 14    02:10:28    Okay. That's not a separate, uh, a separate unit, uh, basement unit or anything along those?  
Speaker 20    02:10:33    No, it's part of the first floor. Okay.  
Speaker 14    02:10:36    And now in that basement, um, there are two separate water heaters, one that services, the first floor and a second that separate that services, the second floor, is that correct? Correct. Um, and similarly there's a separate gas meters for the first floor and for the second floor, correct?  
Speaker 20    02:10:51    Yes. There's one for the first one for the second and also one for the boiler. There's three gas meters.  
Speaker 14    02:10:56    And there are separate electrical for the, uh, for the, for the, uh, first and second floors.  
Speaker 20    02:11:01    Correct. There's two separate meters and two separate panels, one for the first department, one for the second floor.  
Speaker 14    02:11:07    Okay. Now by trade you're a plumber. Is that correct?  
Speaker 20    02:11:11    Licensed plumber, licensed ASU HPAC.  
Speaker 14    02:11:15    How long have you been in the construction trade?  
Speaker 20    02:11:19    Since about 1985. I got my plumbing license in 2004.  
Speaker 14    02:11:24    Okay. Now you've, uh, since this home has been in your family, since, since the nineties you've done some work on, on the home in terms of remodeling, uh, maybe upgrading some things, correct? Correct. That you've had an opportunity to familiarize herself with the home and more importantly, the, the, you know, inside the walls of the home and all the features of the home, is  
Speaker 20    02:11:44    That correct? It's very, very familiar with the house. Yes.  
Speaker 14    02:11:47    Okay. Um, are there any, well, let's talk first about the, uh, uh, you said there's a steam boiler, that's in the basement. Uh, so am I to assume then that there's, uh, um, steam heat to the, to the building radiant heat?  
Speaker 20    02:12:01    Um, there's, there's one steam system for the whole, for the whole building. It's not ready and it's radiators, it's old, there's old, old radiators, and I'm being a licensed plumber. As long as I have a lot of two family houses have a single system like that. You can't split a seam steam system. Like you kind of water, you know, hot water.  
Speaker 14    02:12:20    Okay. And these radiators are they cast iron radiators? Yes, they are. And now, based on your experience in the construction field, is that a feature that you would see in a, um, in a home prior to the 1950s?  
Speaker 20    02:12:36    Okay.  
Speaker 14    02:12:37    Now, similarly, um, the, uh, the construction of the, uh, the walls, is there anything notable about the, about the walls in the home?  
Speaker 20    02:12:46    All the, all the walls in the home are plaster.  
Speaker 14    02:12:49    Okay. And, um, uh, so that's plaster and lathe construction. Is that, what is that? That's correct. Okay. And based on your experience of the construction field, was that a common, um, construction technique in pre-war buildings?  
Speaker 20    02:13:02    Yes, it was. Absolutely.  
Speaker 14    02:13:04    Uh, and so you would expect to see that in a, in a building, uh, prior to 1950, correct. Okay. And now, particularly in this building, um, with those two separate entrances, um, are there that, uh, examples of that plaster and lay around those two separate entryways?  
Speaker 20    02:13:21    Absolutely. The whole entire house has plaster. I never did anything structural in there coming into the first floor. And the second floor is all plaster, the old framing, which, you know, I could see the wood from the basement and, uh, also the old style, um, mold.  
Speaker 14    02:13:39    Okay. And so, and so since it has those two separate entryways with the plaster and lay, that would lead you to believe that that was a feature of the house prior to the 1950s, is that correct? Yes. Um, let's talk about the attic briefly. Um, you did provide a floor plan, um, for the board to review, correct? Yes. Okay. And there's, there's nothing indicated on the floor plan about access to the attic. How do you access the attic of this?  
Speaker 20    02:14:05    The second floor hallway? There's a two foot by two foot hole with a piece of plywood over that you could lift up to get up there. If the attic is unfinished and it to get updated, you need a step ladder to climb.  
Speaker 14    02:14:18    Okay. So that the attic, isn't a space that your, uh, um, using as a, as a third unit or another, another habitable place, correct? Absolutely not. No. Okay. Um, we, uh, I have two reports, um, that we've reviewed, um, and I'd like to go through them briefly. They're very short. Um, I'd like to start with, uh, Mr.  report of March 19th, 2021. Um, I believe the only point to address there, uh, there's a request to provide an easement.  
Speaker 20    02:14:59    No, I have no  
Speaker 14    02:15:00    Problem with that. Okay. So we will comply with that. Um, and then we also have Mr. Chadwick's report. Um, and I believe we have addressed all the issues in Mr. Uh, Chadwick's report, um, through your testimony. Uh, so at this time, uh, I will, uh, Mr. Zahn belly to any, uh, questions of the board members There. No, sorry, Mr. Sandoval. I'm asking the board members.  
Speaker 0     02:15:32    Does anyone on the board? Does anyone on the board have any questions for this individual? Oh, sorry. I just want to clarify Mr. Chairman, Mr. Chairman, hold on. I'm so sorry to interrupt this speaking out of turn. Hold on. Somebody found somebody fell in the background. I'd be hurt. Run off your board member. Fail. Jalen J Jalen blonde fell. He fell all he's okay. It looks okay. So I thought you fell. Thank you, Mr. Paul. I'm fine. Um, I believe, I'm sorry. Can I interrupt? I believe Mr. Hitters Henry, please proceed. Yeah, I just wanted to clarify, Mr. Archer had said 33 inches. I think he meant 33 feet on the half width,  
Speaker 14    02:16:29    Seventh street, you know, I never, I never get the little, the little what's a foot and correct. So Mr. Sam belly, we do agree to the 33 feet half with, correct?  
Speaker 20    02:16:41    Yeah. Yes. I have no problem  
Speaker 14    02:16:43    With that. Thank you for that, Mr. Richardson.  
Speaker 0     02:16:48    Um,  
Speaker 14    02:16:51    I believe people want to your next witness. Oh, actually I apologize, Mr. Zamboni. One further question. Um, the, the property has a driveway, correct? Yes, it does. How many cars can you fit in that driveway?  
Speaker 20    02:17:07    You could fit 10 cars in that driveway without anybody having to move. It's a very large driver.  
Speaker 14    02:17:14    Okay. So ample parking. No, no on-street parking necessary.  
Speaker 20    02:17:17    Very ample. Never a parking  
Speaker 14    02:17:19    Problem there. Thank you, Mr. Don valley, I'll open Mr. Zahn belly-up to any further questions, if that generated any questions from the board members of the professionals. Okay. I don't believe he heard any after Henry. So at this point you should move on to your next witness. Thank you so much, Mr. Zahn belly. Yeah, you can mute. Now. My next witness would be Mr. Jim Higgins. Uh, he's our professional planner and he's ready to be sworn in  
Speaker 2     02:17:44    Mr. Higgins. Could you raise your  
Speaker 0     02:17:45    Right hand? Do you swear the  
Speaker 2     02:17:48    Testimony you're about to give shall be the truth so help you  
Speaker 0     02:17:50    God. I do.  
Speaker 2     02:17:52    Um, Mr. Higgins has been accepted as a professional planner before the sport on numerous occasions.  
Speaker 14    02:17:58    Thank you. I agree. You can proceed Mr. Higgins. Um, I'll be real brief. Can you please take us through the planning justifications, uh, for this, uh, application?  
Speaker 0     02:18:08    Well, the sites located in New York, 75 residential zone, you've heard the building described by Mr. Zahn belly. It's a T it's a two family structure with two separate entrances. Um, the entrances are actually defined by plaster and lath construction, which indicate that that indicates that those entrants were probably constructed prior to 1950. And also when you look at the heating systems in the building, the heating systems clearly were constructed prior to 1950 that's with the cast iron radiators. Um, so that when I look at the building in terms of the structure of the building and the utilities in the building, it's clear to me that what ha what existed on this site prior to the 1953 was a two family structure. In addition, there's, there's a cabinet in one of the units that clearly is a much older cabinet and there are moldings within the units that are actually much, much older moldings. So when you look at the whole picture, it's very clear that this structure as did exist as a two family prior zoning, it was a preexisting non-conforming use. Should the board not be convinced? I think that there are arguments for the granting of a use variance in this instance, due to the particular suitability of the site.  
Speaker 2     02:19:32    Can I stop you? Can I jump in for a minute? Sure. Mr. Chairman, it may maybe, uh, uh, a good time to take a straw poll of the board. If you feel that this is a pre-existing non-conforming use, uh, then you might save Mr. Higgins voice from giving us his proofs on a use variance and save the board some time.  
Speaker 0     02:19:53    Okay. Paul,  
Speaker 2     02:20:00    If, if the board members think that this is a pre-existing non-conforming use, meaning that it was a two family prior to 1953, based upon the testimony that you've heard that, uh, you know, the two separate entrances both appear to be prior to 1950, the construction of lath and plaster is prior to 1950, the heating system is prior to 1950 and the separate utilities. Um, if you believe that that constitutes a pre-existing non-conforming use, um, you may want to indicate that if you have doubts about that, so indicate, indicated, and we can continue with the testimony.  
Speaker 0     02:20:42    I want to know that I think the house was built before 1950,  
Speaker 6     02:20:47    Mr. Chairman, just, just to give you a set of facts. I had a question whether they did any research, and if you remember, Mr. Morris gave us research through the census data about four or five months now, about a year ago now. And we use it all the time now and went to the 1950 census where you can see the hand survey data. And there were two households in this building. That's what the census survey showed.  
Speaker 0     02:21:24    What's even more evidence. So Laura, can you take a poll of multiple of who thinks this home was built before 1950 and who wasn't? Who? Doesn't  
Speaker 1     02:21:44    Sorry. I was muted again.  
Speaker 0     02:21:46    Mr. Zimmerman. That's okay. Don't worry. I definitely agree. The house was built before 19,  
Speaker 1     02:21:53    Mr. .  
Speaker 0     02:21:55    Yes. I definitely agree. Built before 1950,  
Speaker 1     02:22:01    Mr. Ratio.  
Speaker 0     02:22:03    I don't believe it was built before 19 Mr. Blount. Yes. I believe it was built before prior.  
Speaker 1     02:22:15    Yes. I agree that it is built before 1950. I agree. Also, Mr. Alley. Yeah, I believe it was Mr. Cahill. You already gave your opinion.  
Speaker 2     02:22:39    So Mr. Keith, upon that, do you want to ask the board, or do you want to go out to the public or do you want to continue with Mr. Higgins testimony?  
Speaker 14    02:22:46    You can just make one, one very brief, uh, caveat. If I could ask a it's not, I might just be a stickler. It's not that it's necessarily built before 1950, but built and used as a two family, um, resident prior to 2 19 50.  
Speaker 2     02:23:02    And I agree that that's what most of the board members said, but I, I believe I interpreted that as meaning that it was a two family prior to 1950,  
Speaker 14    02:23:11    If that is what the vote is, then, then I would have no objection to open it to the, um, to the public at this time  
Speaker 0     02:23:18    To the boat. Okay. At this point, I'll open it to the public. Anyone the public have any questions about this application or your comments  
Speaker 1     02:23:27    Chairman?  
Speaker 0     02:23:29    Okay. Public portion is closed. Public portion is closed. I'll make a motion to approve this application will second that motion. There's Mr. Zimmerman, please call the roll.  
Speaker 1     02:23:46    Mr. Zimmerman. Yes. Mr. Tillery. Yes. Mr. Ratio. Yes. Mr. Blount. Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Mirando? Yes. And chairman Cahill. Yes.  
Speaker 2     02:24:03    Alright, Mr. Archer, your application's been approved as a pre-existing non-conforming use, uh, Mr. Um, I'm sorry that we didn't get to hear your planning testimony. You're going to use variance, but the board brushed  
Speaker 14    02:24:18    Less is more. I'm happy with it. Thank you.  
Speaker 0     02:24:21    Thank you. Thanks. Okay. Let's move to item 11, which is adoption of resolutions from the regular meeting of February 25th, 2020.  
Speaker 2     02:24:37    And we are going to hold that we are still investigating one of the, uh, conditions. Uh, so we're going to hold that item. Uh, but I do have the adoption of resolutions from the meeting of March 11th.  
Speaker 0     02:24:52    Okay. That's number 12.  
Speaker 2     02:24:55    Resolution of precautious Patel. This application was for a car port that was denied Mr. Zimmerman. Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. For a Reggio. Yes. Mr. Weissman.  
Speaker 1     02:25:11    You're  
Speaker 2     02:25:13    Not here Mr. Blunt. Yes. Mr. Rondo? Yes. Yes. Jeremy Hill. Yes. Okay. Next is an application for Suzanne Hennessy. This was an application to put a roof over her front porch, which you approved Mr. Zimmerman. Yes. Mr. Tillery. Yes. Mr. Reggio. Yes. Mr. Blunt. Yes. Mr. Mirando. Yes. Mr. Ali. Yes. Mr. Cahill. Yes. Next next resolution is look, porta builders. This was for finer final major subdivision, which you voted to approve Mr. Zimmerman. Yes. Mr. Fillory. Yes. Joe Reggio. Yes. Mr. Blunt. Yes. Rhonda. Yes. Mr. Ali. Jeremy Cahill. Yes. On next is Madhu Sony. This was, uh, the application to resolve the litigation with regard to the Piscataway township suing Sony and the zoning board based upon the previous approval, which you voted to approve Mr. Zimmerman. Yes. Mr. Tillery. Yes. Mr. Reggio. Yes. Mr. Blunt. Yes. Mr. Min. Rhonda. Yes. Mr. Ali. Jeremy Cato. Yes. Next resolution is curving salt. Salsito this is an application for a shed, a pool cover, a patio cover and a pool, which you voted to approve Mr. Zimmerman. Yes. Mr. Tillary. Yes. For a Reggio. Yes. Mr. Bond. Yes. Mr. Miranda. Yes. Mr. Ali Cato. Yes. The final resolution is Ernesto . This was an application or this was a resolution of withdrawal, uh, based upon, uh, his application to convert the garage. Uh, Mr. Zimmerman, Hilary, Mr. Reggio. Yes. Mr. Blunt. Yes. Mr. Mirando? Yes. Mr. Ali. Yes. Yes. Those are all the resolutions I have.  
Speaker 0     02:27:53    Uh, next is the adoption of minutes from the regular meeting of March 11th, 2021. All, all in favor. All opposed for a solution to adjourn anyone, or make a motion to adjourn favor, say, aye. Aye. Once again, to the finish line, everyone have a great night. Thank you.  take care. Bye-bye. 


	

Minutes for Piscataway Zoning meeting on March 25 2021