Transcript for Piscataway Zoning meeting on February 13 2025

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Feb 13 2025 · Zoning
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Meeting Sections
  • 00:00:00 — Meeting Opening, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance
  • 00:00:52 — Agenda Adjustments and Postponements
  • 00:01:24 — Case Hearing: 25-ZB-02V - Deep Kumar Patel (Fence Variance) 25-ZB-02V
  • 00:08:12 — Adoption of Resolutions from January 9, 2025 Meeting
  • 00:09:30 — Adoption of Minutes and Adjournment
Meeting Opening, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance AI  00:00:00 – 00:00:52
Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting called to order with proper notice provided. Complete roll call of board members conducted. Pledge of Allegiance recited.
Speaker 0Zoning 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 bulletin board in municipal building notice made available to the attach to clerk notice sent to the Coer News and the star ledger. Will the clerk please call the roll?
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman? Here. Mr. Patel. Here. Mr. Regio. Here. See you Roy. Mr. Blount. Here. Mr. Mitterando? Here. Mr. Ellie here and Chairman Cahill.
Speaker 0Here, will everyone please stand for salute to the flag? I pledge Allegiance the Flag
Speaker 2Of America Republic for which it stands. Nation Indivisible Justice.
Agenda Adjustments and Postponements AI  00:00:52 – 00:01:24
Three applications adjourned to future dates: Lucas Garcia (1600 West Fourth Street) to February 27; Ronco Development (146 Hillside Avenue) to March 13; Ronco Development (160 Hillside Avenue) to March 13.
Speaker 0Mr. Cornelia, are there any changes to tonight's agenda?
Speaker 3Yes. We have several changes. The application of Lucas Garcia Garcia Arena 1600 West fourth Street, is adjourned until February 27th with no further notice. The application of Ronco Development 1 46 Hillside Avenue is adjourned until March 13th with no further notice. The application of Ronco development one 60 Hillside Avenue is adjourned until March 13th with no further notice. Those are all the changes that I have.
Case Hearing: 25-ZB-02V - Deep Kumar Patel (Fence Variance) 25-ZB-02V AI  00:01:24 – 00:08:12
Applicant sought variance for 6-foot fence on corner lot property, installed without proper permits or variance approval. Board attorney noted ordinance requires 40-foot setback; township offered 17.2-foot compromise. Applicant agreed to compromise and motion to approve with amended 17.2-foot setback passed unanimously (7-0).
Speaker 0Thank you, Mr. Kinneally. So if I'm reading this correctly, well to item number 7 25 dash ZB dash zero two V. Deep Kumar Patel.
Speaker 3Yes. Is Deep Kumar Patel present?
Speaker 4Yes. Present.
Speaker 3Sorry, I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth? Yes.
Speaker 4True.
Speaker 3Your name and address, please?
Speaker 4Deep Kumar Patel, 99. Aha Drive.
Speaker 3Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 4Good evening, chairman and board of the member. I appreciate the opportunity to present my case tonight regarding six feet fence on my property. When I installed this fence, I did, I did so based on my contractor recommendation her, fortunately, I was not properly advised about the permit commitment or township zoning laws. Had I known I would have applied for the variance beforehand. Now the vari fence is up. Removing or modifying it would cause unnecessary financial hardship for me and my family, especially given current situation. My parents, my parents, my parents have recently lost their job. I am already going with the very tough time. I purchased my house on May. Was not aware regarding the township specification for the fence. Regarding the corner lot, this fence provide my fa family much needed privacy and security, particularly because of my houses on corner lot, which has more explo explos than a interior lot. These six feet fence help us to reduce the visibility into my backyard. Also helps to prevent trespassing and theft. Additionally, it ensure the safety of my family, children who are alone in the backyard enjoying unclosed space. Additionally, the fence does not obstruct the view of my neighbor or creating line of side issue,
Speaker 4The intersection. It bends up well with the neighborhood and my contractor even walk around the area before the install to answer it was the in line with the other properties. I would respectfully, respectfully ask to board to consider this my application for the variance.
Speaker 0Thank you, sir. Jonathan, do you have anything you might wanna lend?
Speaker 5Sure. In addition to not obtaining a variance, a permit was also not obtained. Regardless of the result of the board's decision. Tonight, a permit will need to be sought. I do dispute the fence is impacting the intersection and I think what we're, what we're proposing, a 17 resulting in a 17.2 foot setback when 40 is required, is more than generous. And if your contractor misled you, I, I'd leave it between you and your contractor to recover some of the costs incurred by making this change.
Speaker 0Thank you. Johnson. Yeah, I'm in total agreement. 40 is what the, the ordinance calls for. I think 17 is more than generous. And if indeed you would deceive by your contractor, Mr. Patel, that's something you could take up with him legally or have him move it at, at, at the cost to him. I see no hardship here, unfortunately. Does any other members of the board have any questions or comments they'd like to make? Hearing none, I'm going to open it to the public. Anyone in the public have any questions or comments about this application? No. One chairman. Okay. Close the public portion. Yeah. Mr. Mr. Patella. I, I think that the compromise that the, that the township's offering is more than generous. And I, I gotta read the room a little bit for you. I'm gonna tell you, if you don't try and help, help us out here some type of compensation here. I I don't think your application will be voted on favorably.
Speaker 4Chairman, is there any other option? Because I'm losing my lots of space in my backyard.
Speaker 0There, there, unfortunately we have ordinances for the specific reasons and
Speaker 4Also like additionally, there are many corner lots in around my neighborhood. It has the same six feet fence on the property line.
Speaker 0They're, they're not before this board tonight, unfortunately. I, I'll leave it, I'll leave it up to you, sir. I, I do read the board very well. And like I said, like Jonathan said, 40 feet is what we normally require. 17 feet is all we're asking here. And I, I believe if you did go after your contractor legally, he would be responsible for any costs that would be incurred to move the fence.
Speaker 3And Mr. Patel, as the board attorney, I will tell you that you're required to put certain legal proofs on the record in order to obtain a variance you have not done. So therefore, the board could be well within its rights to enforce the 40 foot setback. The township is offering you a 17.2 foot setback, which is much better than the 40 foot setback.
Speaker 0Thank you, Jim. Mr. Patel, I'll give you a, a minute or two just to mull it over before we, we vote on this as a board. What are you thinking, sir?
Speaker 1Okay,
Speaker 0Good. It's a good decision. Okay. I'd like to make a motion to approve this application with the changes set by Mr. Mizrahi and agreed upon by the applicant. Can I get a second? I'll
Speaker 1Second it.
Speaker 0Thank you. Mr. Weisman. Call the roll please.
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ley? Yes. And Chairman Caho? Yes.
Speaker 3Your application as amended has been approved. We'll memorialize this in a written document at our next meeting. You don't need to be there for that, but we'll mail that document to you.
Speaker 1Okay?
Adoption of Resolutions from January 9, 2025 Meeting AI  00:08:12 – 00:09:29
Board voted to adopt four resolutions from prior January 9 meeting: New Singular Wireless, 429 Bell Street, 900 East 92nd Street, and Francis Resco withdrawal resolution. All resolutions passed unanimously.
Speaker 0Thank you sir. Have a good night. Let's move on to item number 10. Adoption of resolutions from the regular meeting of January 9th, 2025.
Speaker 3First resolution, new singular wireless that you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery. Mr. O'Reggio? Yes. Mr. Duka. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill? Yes. Next 4 29 Bell Street, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery. Mr. O'Reggio? Yes. Mr. Duka. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill? Yes. 900 East 92nd Street, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery. Mr. O'Reggio? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Last resolution for tonight is a resolution of withdrawal for Francis Resco. I would need somebody to move that and second it and then I would need a roll call Vote.
Speaker 0I'll make a move to strike it. I'll second. Can I get a second? Good. Can I get a roll call? All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Okay. Thank you. Those are all
Speaker 3The resolutions I have this evening.
Adoption of Minutes and Adjournment AI  00:09:30 – 00:10:06
Minutes from January 9, 2025 regular meeting approved unanimously. Board chair thanked members for their service and offered Valentine's Day wishes before motion to adjourn was approved.
Speaker 0Thank you Mr. Kinneally. Let's move on to ID 11. Adoption of minutes from the regular meeting of January 9th, 2025. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye, aye. Okay. Make a motion to adjourn. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. I, sorry to drag out this long meeting tonight. You all were really, really good break. Once again, thanks for showing up, even if it's a five minute meeting. I do appreciate you taking time outta your busy lives to help out the township. I love you guys the best, everyone. Valentine day,
Speaker 1Valentine's Day, everyone
Speaker 0Day
Speaker 1Y'all. In two weeks.
Speaker 0Okay.