Transcript for Piscataway Zoning meeting on September 12 2024

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Sep 12 2024 · Zoning
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Meeting Sections
  • 00:00:03 — Meeting Opening and Roll Call
  • 00:00:58 — Agenda Adjustments and Postponements
  • 00:02:18 — Case 24-ZB-36V: Abdul Shaik Mohammed - Fence Installation with Setback 24-ZB-36V
  • 00:04:53 — Case 24-ZB-47V: New York SMSA Limited Partnership (Verizon Wireless) - Wireless Equipment Upgrade 24-ZB-47V
  • 00:09:14 — Case 24-ZB-37V: Harh Patel - Backyard Fence Over Utility Easement 24-ZB-37V
  • 00:12:08 — Case 24-ZB-46V: Tu Agrawal - Fence Replacement with Modified Height 24-ZB-46V
  • 00:15:41 — Adoption of Resolutions from August 15th, 2024 Meeting
  • 00:16:42 — Adoption of Minutes
  • 00:16:50 — Adjournment
Meeting Opening and Roll Call AI  00:00:03 – 00:00:58
The board chair called the meeting to order and announced adequate notice had been provided. The clerk called the roll for all board members. The board stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Speaker 0The zoning Board of adjustment meeting will please come to order. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided in the following ways. Notice published in the Coer News notice posted on the Bolton Board in the municipal building Notice made available to the township clerk notice sent to the Coer News and the star ledger. Will the clerk please call the roll?
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman
Speaker 0Here.
Speaker 1Mr. Patel? Here. Mr. Reggio is here. He is just trying to log on. So Roy's here. Mr. Blount? Here. Mr. Mitterando? Here. Mr. Ellie here and Chairman Cahill.
Speaker 0Here. Will everyone please stand for a salute to the flag
Speaker 2Allegiance of the United States of America Republic One Nation, indivisible.
Agenda Adjustments and Postponements AI  00:00:58 – 00:02:18
Mr. Kinneally announced changes to the agenda. Two applications were withdrawn: Andrea (4 New Market Road) and HBR Properties (Island Avenue). Several applications were carried to future dates: Packa (591 River Road) to October 10th, Bender (175 Dannel) to September 26th, Sharma (One Brook Hollow) to September 26th, and Barki (River Road) to November 14th.
Speaker 0Mr. Kinneally, do we have any changes to tonight's agenda?
Speaker 3Yes, we have many changes to tonight's agenda. Okay. The application of Andrea and be four 40 new Market Road has been withdrawn and will not be heard. The Packa application 5 91 River Road will be continued to October 10th. They must publish notice in the paper. The Bender application 1 75 Dannel will be carried to September 26th. They must publish in the paper. The, the Sharma application. One Brook Hollow will be carried to September 26th. They must publish in the newspaper. The Barki application River Road will be carried to OC November 14th. They must serve notices on the property owners list. People.
Speaker 1No. Mr. H, Mr. Mr. Kaley, I apologize. 1 75 Dannel is on for this evening.
Speaker 3Oh, I'm, I'm sorry. I,
Speaker 1Yeah. Harris Patel,
Speaker 3Anybody here on the vendor application that is gonna be heard this evening? HBR Prop
Speaker 1Bender's different Bender is nine. Harmony,
Speaker 3I, I, sorry, my notes are mistaken. Then got HBR properties. We, island Avenue has been withdrawn. Those are all the changes I have. Mr. Okay,
Case 24-ZB-36V: Abdul Shaik Mohammed - Fence Installation with Setback 24-ZB-36V AI  00:02:18 – 00:04:51
Applicant sought approval to install a new fence at 515 Crest Street with a setback from Buttonwood Drive. Originally requesting a 5-foot setback, the applicant agreed to increase it to 15 feet to remain outside the sight triangle of the intersection, which staff confirmed was acceptable. Unanimously approved.
Speaker 0Let's move ahead with item number 5 24 dash ZB dash 36 V. Abdul Shaik Mohammed,
Speaker 3Is the applicant present?
Speaker 4Yes sir.
Speaker 3I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand? Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 3Your name and address?
Speaker 4AB Shaik Moad 5 1 5 Crest Street. Piscataway.
Speaker 3Thank you. You put your hand down and explain to the board what you'd like to do.
Speaker 4Yeah, so this is regarding the installation of a new fence in my property. So this is a follow up call. So I was requesting for a five feet setback from Buttonwood Drive towards my property, but I think the board had some concerns regarding that and I spoke to Mr. Ms. Rahi and we have come to a resolution and I think the proposal right now is to have a 15 feet setback from, from Buttonwood Drive. So that's what the proposal is right now.
Speaker 0Jonathan, would you chime in for a sec?
Speaker 5Of course. So the reason why we postponed a decision on this case is because we wanted to ensure that the proposed fence would be outside of the site triangle of the intersection. Right? I remember. So if the fence is located 15 feet from the property line, approximately 25 feet from the edge of curb, it's gonna remain outside of the side triangle.
Speaker 0And you find that out with the, with the applicant and everything's well copacetic on both sides.
Speaker 5Yes. He came in, we spoke and this is what we, this is what we said would be our best path forward.
Speaker 0Good. No more point to dwell on. Any other members of the board have any questions or comments? Hearing none, I'm gonna open it to the public. Anyone in the public have any comments or questions about this application?
Speaker 1No. Chairman.
Speaker 0Okay. I would close it to the public and make a motion to approve this application. Can I get a second?
Speaker 5Thank.
Speaker 4All right, thank you.
Speaker 0Okay, please call roll.
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio.
Speaker 0Phil logging in?
Speaker 1No, he's on. He's just muted. Yes. Hi Roy. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Riley? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Mohammad, your application as amended has been approved. We'll memorialize it in a written document in our next meeting and we'll send that document to you.
Speaker 4Sure. Thank you.
Case 24-ZB-47V: New York SMSA Limited Partnership (Verizon Wireless) - Wireless Equipment Upgrade 24-ZB-47V AI  00:04:53 – 00:09:10
Verizon Wireless sought approval to upgrade wireless equipment at an existing site, removing 2 antennas and 1 RRU while installing 4 new antennas and 8 RRUs, and replacing equipment boxes. The structural engineer confirmed the facility can support the new equipment. An RF compliance report was required as a condition of approval. Unanimously approved.
Speaker 1Have
Speaker 0A luck. Good luck sir. Thank you. Let's move on to item number 7 24 dash ZB dash 47 V. New York SMSA Limited partnership, Verizon Wireless.
Speaker 6Good afternoon, I'm Victoria Britton. I am the attorney representing the applicant and I have with me should the board wish to hear our engineer Jake Minard. So Verizon Wireless was in front of the board last year and had received an an interpretation to allow the zoning officer to issue an administrative approval for some equipment. Unfortunately, we were unable to move forward at that time, so we are coming back for updated approvals before the board. We are looking for approval to remove two existing antennas on the property and replace them with four new antennas. Remove one radio, remote radio unit, I'm sorry, RRU and replace it with eight rru. Add one over voltage protection box two hybrid cables and also swapping out the equipment box that's currently there for equipment cabinet. I'm sorry, for a new equipment cabinet. We are moving under the federal co-location law, which is the middle class tax relief and job creation act of 2012 as well as the township code and asking that the board approve an interpretation to allow the zoning officer to issue administrative approvals.
Speaker 3Okay. And this site received all the required approvals originally?
Speaker 6Yes, it did.
Speaker 3And the equipment that you intend to swap out, is it going to make the facility any higher?
Speaker 6No, it will not.
Speaker 3Will it enlarge the equipment area?
Speaker 6No, I don't believe it will.
Speaker 3Okay. Have you supplied an RF report showing that you satisfy the RF requirements?
Speaker 6I'm gonna turn that over to Jake Minority, our engineer. Jake, do you know if we've done that?
Speaker 3Mr. Minor, I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand?
Speaker 7Certainly.
Speaker 3Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 7Yes.
Speaker 3Do you know whether or not you've submitted an RF report that shows that this new equipment will comply?
Speaker 7I'm unaware of an RF report that's been submitted. I'm a structural engineer who would put that report together or be a radio frequency engineer.
Speaker 3Okay. So since we don't know the answer to that, that would be a condition of any approval granted by this board and as a, as a structural engineer, is this facility strong enough to support the equipment that you plan to install?
Speaker 7Yes, that's correct. We've prepared a mount analysis report qualifying the steel, that's to support the proposed antennas and equipment radio units and OVP boxes. There is also a structural analysis report that qualifies the equipment platform where the equipment cabinet is being removed and replaced with a new equipment cabinet as well as the building's roof slab itself. The roof slab was qualified in the structural analysis report to support the full loading of the proposed equipment swap.
Speaker 3Thank you. Those are all the questions I have for Mr. Minor. Mr. Chairman, it would appear that this applicant does qualify for an exemption from site plan approval based upon the information provided.
Speaker 0Sure. Thank you. Any other members of the board have any questions, comments, turn it over to the public. Anyone in the public have any comments or questions about this application? No. Chairman. Okay. Close the public portion and I'd make a motion to approve. Can I get a second? I'll second it. Thank you. Please call roll.
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Ms. Brit, we will memorialize this at our next meeting and send you a copy.
Speaker 1Thank you very much. I appreciate your time. Thank you. Have a great night. Have a good night. Thank you. Thank
Case 24-ZB-37V: Harh Patel - Backyard Fence Over Utility Easement 24-ZB-37V AI  00:09:14 – 00:11:52
Applicant sought approval to install a fence in his backyard at 175 Del Avenue, located over a utility easement. The board approved with conditions: a memorandum of restriction over the easement, a landscaping bond to ensure proper landscaping installation, and the applicant's responsibility to remove and replace the fence if easement access becomes necessary. Unanimously approved.
Speaker 0You. Let's move on to item number 8 24 dash ZB dash 37 v. Harh Patel.
Speaker 3Is Harh Patel present?
Speaker 8Yes, I'm, yes sir.
Speaker 3I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give shall be the truth? Yes. Your name and address please?
Speaker 8Harh Patel. 1 75 Del Avenue, Piscataway, New Jersey 0 8 5 4.
Speaker 3Thank you. Could you explain to the court why you're here?
Speaker 8Yes sir. I'm requesting like, you know, a approval to install like my fence in my backyard.
Speaker 3And would you like the report rendered by the Piscataway Landscape architect?
Speaker 8Yes.
Speaker 3And can you comply with the, what they request in that report?
Speaker 8What I understood it that like know that they, I have to allow like know that time in the future if like, you know that the township wants to like, you know, work on easement, I have to allow and let them let know that take my offense out.
Speaker 3Okay. You would be responsible for taking that fence out and putting it back in? Yes. If access to the easement is necessary, yes. Okay. There are other aspects of that report, Mr. Rahi, perhaps you could weigh in.
Speaker 5Yes. Thank you. There's two additional items that we would be requesting at this time. In addition to the memorandum, we would like to have a memorandum of restriction be put in place as condition of approval pursuant to the location over the easement. And the other item in addition to memorandum would be a landscaping bond, which upon approval Mr. Patel can come into the office. We can help him with that. It's a, a temporary hold of some funds to make sure that the landscaping in front of the fence along Dun Ellen is installed at a satisfactory size.
Speaker 0You're okay with that Mr. Patel? Yes. Awesome. Okay. Any other members of the board have any questions or comments? Seeing and hearing none, I'm gonna go open it to the public. Excuse me. Anyone in the public any questions or comments about this application? There's none. None. Okay. Close the public portion and I make a motion to approve this application. Can I get a second? I a second. Thank you. Please roll.
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 1Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Elli? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Patel, your application has been approved with some conditions that we just discussed. We'll memorialize it in a written document at our next meeting and send that document to you. Good luck.
Speaker 0Thank you very much sir. Yeah. I'm assuming item number 12 is next, Laura, correct? Correct. Okay, thank you. Item number 1224 dash ZB dash 46 V Atul. I go wild.
Case 24-ZB-46V: Tu Agrawal - Fence Replacement with Modified Height 24-ZB-46V AI  00:12:08 – 00:15:29
Applicant sought approval to replace an existing chain link fence on a corner property at 7 Agatha Drive with a 6-foot privacy fence on the back and semi-privacy fence on the side. Staff recommended the 6-foot fence be prohibited within 35 feet of Bev Lane. The applicant negotiated for a 5-foot 50% view fence at the property line on the Bev Lane side, which the board approved. Unanimously approved.
Speaker 9I am here sir,
Speaker 3I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand? Do you swear that testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 9Yes,
Speaker 3I do. Do we have your name and address please?
Speaker 9Sure. Name is Tu Agrawal. Address is seven Agatha Drive, Piscataway, New Jersey 0 8 8 5 4.
Speaker 3Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 9So what we would like to do, we have a corner property in Piscataway and we have an existing chain link fence and we would like to replace it with a six foot privacy fence on most of the backside and a five foot semi privacy fence on the side street side that extends past the house.
Speaker 3Mr. Chairman, you may wanna check with Mr. Ms. Ryan.
Speaker 0Yeah, Jonathan, can you chime in on this one?
Speaker 5Yes. So we
Speaker 0Oh, you muted yourself Jonathan.
Speaker 5Sorry about that. That's okay. Staff's recommendations for this application were varied based on the different fence types. We had no objection to the, the forefoot fence along the eastern portion of the property. The six foot fence was satisfactory up until the portion along Bev Lane. We feel like no six foot high fence shall be permitted within 35 feet of Bev Lane. At that point they can use the five foot fence, which would be set back 10 feet from the property line. Whereas now it's shown as being less than a foot away from the property line and also the addition of evergreen landscaping as well as a utility mark out as part of the fence is located within the utility easement.
Speaker 0Mr. Agaral, are you okay with that?
Speaker 9Yeah, there's one thing we would request, if possible we're okay with most of it. The only request is on the Bev Avenue side. Instead of bringing the property, instead of bringing the fence in 10 feet, would it be okay to get a five foot, 50% view fence up to the property line?
Speaker 5We typically allow a four foot fence. It's also something that's a little bit more commercially available. Okay. I would leave it up to the board if they'd like to do a a five foot height fence. I wouldn't object to that
Speaker 950% view though, like I said.
Speaker 5Yeah. Nice.
Speaker 0Nice meet. I would ask anyone on the board if they have any. I don't have a problem with it. Any other members of the board have any questions or comments? Alright. Yeah, I don't, I don't think we'd have a problem with that. Mr. Hagar. Well, I have to open it to the public now. Find out what's going on there. Any member of the public have any questions or comments about this application? None. Okay. Close the public portion and I'd make a motion to approve the this application with five feet on ballot. Can I get a second? I'll second. I'll second. Okay. Please call the roll.
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Reggio? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Riley? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Rao, your application has been approved. We will memorialize it in a written document at our next meeting and send that document to you. Good luck.
Speaker 0Thank you very much. Have a good evening, Jeff, sir. You too. Thank you. Let's move on to item number 15, adoption of resolutions from the regular meeting of August 15th, 2024.
Adoption of Resolutions from August 15th, 2024 Meeting AI  00:15:41 – 00:16:42
The board adopted four resolutions memorializing approvals from the regular meeting of August 15th, 2024: Darlene Mum, Bak Reta, Unia and Metta, and the Muslim Center of Middlesex County sign application. All votes were unanimous.
Speaker 3The first resolution we have is Darlene Mum. This was an application that you voted to approve Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Next is Bak Reta, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Next is Unia and Metta, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill? Yes. Last is the Muslim Center of Middlesex County. The sign application. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill? Yes. Those are all the resolutions I have this evening.
Adoption of Minutes AI  00:16:42 – 00:16:50
The board voted unanimously to adopt the minutes from the regular meeting of August 15th, 2024.
Speaker 0Okay. Item number 16, adoption of the minutes from the regular meeting of August 15th, 2024. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Item number 17. Adjournment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Okay guys, thanks again for your volunteering and enjoy beautiful weather. We're gonna have the next five days. Exactly.
Adjournment AI  00:16:50 – 00:17:03
The board voted unanimously in favor of adjournment. The chairman thanked members for volunteering and concluded the meeting.
Speaker 1Thank you. Thank you everybody. Have a good night.