Transcript for Piscataway Zoning meeting on October 10 2024

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Oct 10 2024 · Zoning
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Meeting Sections
  • 00:00:00 — Meeting Opening & Roll Call
  • 00:00:52 — Pledge of Allegiance
  • 00:01:11 — Agenda Adjustments & Postponements
  • 00:01:29 — Case 24-ZB-40V - Chen Paka (Fence Variance) 24-ZB-40V
  • 00:07:43 — Case 24-ZB-54V - Johnny Sue (Fence Variance) 24-ZB-54V
  • 00:11:02 — Case 24-ZB-50V - Deandre Hamilton (Garage Variance) 24-ZB-50V
  • 00:12:44 — Case 24-ZB-48V - Wafi KGA (Pool Variance) 24-ZB-48V
  • 00:17:47 — Adoption of Resolutions from September 26, 2024 Meeting
  • 00:20:05 — Adoption of Minutes from September 26, 2024 Meeting
  • 00:20:15 — Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Meeting Opening & Roll Call AI  00:00:00 – 00:00:52
Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting called to order. Adequate notice provided via Courier News, bulletin board, township clerk, and Star Ledger. Clerk calls roll; all board members present.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Welcome. All right, chairman, you're up.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Zoning board of adjustment meeting will please come to order. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided in the following ways. Notice posted on the In the Courier news notice posted on the bulletin board at the municipal building notice made available to the township clerk notice sent to the Coer News and Star Ledger. Will the clerk please call the roll?
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Weisman Here. Mr. Tillery,
Speaker 2Sue Alman supported defunding of release and after alman, defendant decriminalizing.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Is that, excuse me.
Speaker 2That
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Was already Mr. Regio.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Here.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Blo
Speaker 3Present.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Haka?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Here.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Mitterando? Here. Mr. Ley? Here. Chairman Cahill.
Pledge of Allegiance AI  00:00:52 – 00:01:11
Board members stand for Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Here. Will everyone please stand for a salute to the flight? Allegiance? The
Speaker 3Flag. The United States. United States of the Republic stands. One nation, indivisible. Would liberty I
Agenda Adjustments & Postponements AI  00:01:11 – 00:01:29
Mr. Kinneally reports one agenda change: JJ Fence application at 11 Weekly Avenue is carried to October 24th, 2024 with no further notice.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Mr. Kinneally, are there any changes to tonight's agenda?
Speaker 4Yes, there are.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Go slow if you would. I'm taking notes.
Speaker 4JJ Fence 11 Weekly Avenue is being carried to October 24th, 2024 with no further notice. That's the only change that I have. Got
Case 24-ZB-40V - Chen Paka (Fence Variance) 24-ZB-40V AI  00:01:29 – 00:07:42
Applicant sought variance for fence height and placement on River Road. Existing fence fell; replacement installed taller for privacy. Staff conditions: all fence panels to show finished side, and fence aligned with principal dwelling. Applicant to coordinate final layout with township staff. Deed restriction on garage to ensure future compliance. Motion approved unanimously (7-0).
Shawn Cahill (Chair)It. Okay. Let's move forward with item number 6 24 dash ZB dash 40 v. paca.
Speaker 4Is Mr. pka a avail available? Mr. pka?
Speaker 5Yes.
Speaker 4I 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 5Yes.
Speaker 4Your name and address please. You can put your hand down.
Speaker 5Chen pka. 5 91 River Road, Piscataway, New Jersey.
Speaker 4Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here
Speaker 5Putting a new fence up? My old fence fell and I put it up myself, so that's where we are. I know I put a little bit of higher fence because I don't want on the highway, on River Road, people looking into my yard and we are already at a very high elevation. Anyway, that's why I put that fence there.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Mr. Ms. Ra could, could chime in.
Speaker 6Of course. Thank you. So there's a lot of existing nonconformities with the principal dwelling. The staff is acceptable with the oversized height of the fence that's installed. Now we're just requesting that it gets moved to be in line with the principal structure, so that way it's less of an impact on the site triangle. And in addition, that all panels of the fence should have the finished side facing out. We noticed that there were some that were faced the other direction.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Mr. Pa, are you okay with these stipulations?
Speaker 5So yes, I know the two of the panels by mistake. I put the wrong face, I switch them back around. And the other one, can you please explain what should I do? The other second part.
Speaker 6So the second part regarding the fence is that it should be the portion along River Road should be moved back so that way it's parallel to the front face of your home along River Road.
Speaker 5W can you show me by any chance on the screen over here? So how I can do it?
Speaker 6Let me, so on my plan here, I don't know if you can
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Have an idea.
Speaker 6The highlighted is where the fence is and the blue line is where I'm proposing or recommending.
Speaker 5That's like very, very far backward.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)What would you say the distance is, Jonathan?
Speaker 6The distance would be a little over 25 feet. 20, 26 feet.
Speaker 5Maybe that's too far back. I'm losing so much space. I mean, could there be another way we can do it? That's 25 feet. I throw it was a couple feet here or there. Not a problem.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)John, could we, could we meet 'em halfway or just take something?
Speaker 6Yeah, we can
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Make a little more. We
Speaker 6Kinneally Yeah, we can certainly see where the, where the posts are existing and we can try to make an adjustment to make it easier to work around the existing posts that are on site.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Jim, can we make that a condition? But I I I need something more specific to do a solution.
Speaker 6The, the applicant will come into the office and him and I will agree on an acceptable layout for the fence that we can confirm in the fields on site.
Speaker 5Okay. Yeah, that'd be fine with me. I I can stop by there either tomorrow, John or I will be off Monday or I can come by Monday. We're
Shawn Cahill (Chair)We're closed on Monday. Monday's a holiday.
Speaker 5I forgot about that. Yeah, we're
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Off too.
Speaker 6And Mr. pka, there's one other item regarding the garage. We just need a, a deed restriction placed on the garage to make sure that it's, that it'll conform to the proper size and setbacks if you ever need to replace it.
Speaker 5Okay.
Speaker 6So we're allowing you, we're allowing you to keep it as it is now, but if in the future you need to change it, it needs to be in compliance.
Speaker 5I mean, if I need to, let's say something break on the side, I have to fix it. I can fix it, but I can't change the layout that way it is right? Is that what you mean? That's correct.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes.
Speaker 6Yes,
Shawn Cahill (Chair)That's correct.
Speaker 5No, that's any
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Other members of the board of any I'm sorry. Yeah,
Speaker 5Then I can come either I will try to come tomorrow, Jonathan, if not Tuesday. I will come in and then we can just discuss it over there and we can agree to something.
Speaker 6Perfect. Sounds good.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. 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?
Laura Buckley (Clerk)If you have any questions or comments, please raise your hand and I can allow you to speak. No one chairman.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Close the public portion and I'd make a motion to approve this application with the applicant coming in and working it with Jonathan. Can I get a second? I'll second it. Thank you. Please call a roll.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Wasteman? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Hika? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Rowley? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes.
Speaker 4Mr. Pocket, your application has been approved. We'll memorialize in the written document at our next meeting and send that document to you. Good luck.
Speaker 5Alright, thank you so much everybody. I appreciate it. Good
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Luck, sir.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Have a good night. Let's,
Case 24-ZB-54V - Johnny Sue (Fence Variance) 24-ZB-54V AI  00:07:43 – 00:11:02
Applicant sought fence variance for privacy and wildlife control (deer). Property bordered on three sides by easement (exceptional need). Fence properly set back from Jersey Avenue with utilities marked and 10-foot maintenance access door provided. Motion approved unanimously (8-0).
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Let's move on to item number seven, which is 24 dash zb dash 54 v Jalen Sue
Speaker 4Jalen Sue, present?
Speaker 8Yes, I'm here. Hi, how are you guys,
Speaker 4Sir? Good, sir, I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand?
Speaker 8Yes.
Speaker 4Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 8Yes.
Speaker 4Address please.
Speaker 8Johnny Sue. 2222 Jersey Avenue, Piscataway oh a 8 5 4.
Speaker 4Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 8So I'm trying to put a, put up a new fence around my property line to increase my privacy. 'cause lately there's a lot of neighbor's, kids just, I walk across my yard. Also, I'm trying to prevent some, some of the, like, don't get me wrong, I love deer. I love wildlife, but a lot of deer walk into my yard and make the public restroom here. So there's a lot of pickup at the, in, in, in the morning. So I don't want, I, these are two purposes.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)We can feel your pain. Trust me, they're on my loan every night too. Yeah. Jonathan, you have any comments for this app?
Speaker 6Yeah, the, the only other thing I'd mentioned about this property, it's bordered on three sides by easement. So it's an exceptional need. We think as long as the applicant's able to have the fence properly set back from Jersey Avenue, there should be no issue with fence if it gets marked out. So there's no utilities that are being disturbed.
Speaker 8Yep. Everything is being marked out. And then we will also have one, I believe the made a plan was a 10 foot door opening on the, on one side of the fence facing Jersey Avenue. So if there's anyone needs to go into the yard and work on the manhole in our backyard as you are, welcome to.
Speaker 6Oh, thank you. Yeah.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Any other members of the board have any questions, comments, hearing none? I'm gonna go to the public. Anyone in the public have any comments or questions for this application?
Laura Buckley (Clerk)IPhone three has their hand raised.
Speaker 4Could you identify yourself?
Laura Buckley (Clerk)You have to unmute iPhone.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)You muted. So whoever you are, iPhone
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Three star six. It'll mute you if you're on the phone. There you go.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Hello. That was me by accident. It's Jeff Tillery. Oh,
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Jeff, you're here.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Not
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Here. I can, I'll change it. For the record. Mr. Tillery has joined us.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Does he have any comments or questions from the public? No. No comment. No comment. No comment. Okay. Hearing no one Chairman close the public portion and I'd make a motion to approve this application. Thank
Speaker 8You so much.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Can I get a second? I'll second it. Full world please
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Ma'am. Mr. Wman? Yes. Mr. Tillery?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes. Can you hear me?
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Yes. Thank you. Okay. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Blo?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Heka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Riley? Yes. And Chairman Kale? Yes.
Speaker 4Your application's been approved. We'll memorialize it in a written document at our next meeting and send that document to you. Good luck.
Speaker 8Thank you so much. Have a good night. Thank you.
Case 24-ZB-50V - Deandre Hamilton (Garage Variance) 24-ZB-50V AI  00:11:02 – 00:12:44
Applicant sought variance for existing garage used for storage. Deed restriction imposed to prevent conversion to accessory dwelling unit and require future replacements to meet conforming size and setback requirements. Motion approved unanimously (8-0).
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Have
Shawn Cahill (Chair)A good day. Okay, let's go to item number 8 24 dash ZB dash 50 V. Deandre Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton Deandre
Speaker 4Hamilton Present?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yep.
Speaker 9Yes. Hi, I'm here.
Speaker 4Hi. Could you raise your right hand? Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 9Yes.
Speaker 4Your name and address please?
Speaker 9Deandre Hamilton, 1215 Brookside Road, Piscataway, New Jersey.
Speaker 4Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 9I am seeking a variance for a, for my garage. It was here when I purchased the house and I used it for storage.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Jonathan, you wanna chime in for us?
Speaker 6We have no issue with that. We just wanna make sure it doesn't get turned into an accessory dwelling unit. So we would want a deed restriction placed on the structure and if in the future it needs to be replaced, it should be constructed in a conforming size and location.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. You okay with that Ms. Hamilton? Yes. Okay. Any other members of the board have any questions or comments? Hearing none, I'm gonna open it to the public. Anyone on the public have any comments or questions about this application?
Laura Buckley (Clerk)No. One chairman.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. We're gonna close the public portion. I'll make a motion to approve this application. Can I get a second? I'll second it. Thank you. Call the roll please.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Reggio? Yes. Mr. Blanc? Yes. Mr. Hika? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Riley? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes.
Speaker 4Mr. Hamilton, your application's been approved. We'll memorialize this in a written document at our next meeting and send that document to you. Good luck.
Case 24-ZB-48V - Wafi KGA (Pool Variance) 24-ZB-48V AI  00:12:44 – 00:17:47
Applicant sought variance to reduce rear property setback from 10 feet to 5 feet for pool installation. Safety concern: requires ~10 feet from house stairs to pool plus clearance for egress. Staff proposed 8-foot compromise; applicant demonstrated 5 feet necessary. Backyard neighbors separated by fence and trees; no opposition. Motion approved unanimously (8-0).
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Thank you. Good luck, sir. Have a great evening. You too. Let's go to item number 9 24 dash zb dash 48 V Waic Es.
Speaker 10Hello everybody.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Good evening.
Speaker 10Hi. So I'm gonna, I'm gonna apologize in advance. I actually prepared a presentation. Does it matter? Should I show that or not? Well, let,
Speaker 4Let, let me swear you in first. Sounds
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Good.
Speaker 10Thank
Speaker 4You. If you raise your right hand. Yes. Do you swear that the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 10Yes.
Speaker 4Your name and address please?
Speaker 10It's Wafi KGA 2 42 Grandview Avenue.
Speaker 4Thank you. And just explain briefly why you're here.
Speaker 10Here. Seeking a variance requests that essentially trying to get a pool installed instead of staying within the 10 feet rear seat setback to the property line. Trying to get to five feet for the rear setback of the property line. And I've got some exhibits if that'll help.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)I think we can cut and spares us all some time if we just go to Mr. To Ms. Rocky and see if he has any comments or questions.
Speaker 6We were gonna try to meet halfway. So I was proposing eight feet to the rear property, rear property line. That would just give a little bit more space for a privacy screen. So I don't know if you would want to, if you can speak to that at all, what sort of screening you'd be providing?
Speaker 10Yeah, Jonathan, the only issue with that is that there's also a, from the rear of the house to the, the beginning of the pool, trying to maintain about approximately 10 feet because there will be a staircase that comes down and it would essentially go right into the pool if, if we were to, to do that. So essentially I'd have eight feet from the property line and eight feet from the, the rear of the house to the pool. It would create essentially a, a safety issue. So trying to create enough clearance for pass possibility for the pool. And that's why I was requesting the five, which would give me that extra three feet of possibility from the stairs. And I've got a picture of that helps.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yeah. Why don't you show us that if you would, so we can get an idea where the pool's laying out.
Speaker 10Absolutely. Just please let me know. You can see my screen
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay.
Speaker 10In presentation mode, so you can, it'd be bigger here. So essentially this is the Google Maps view of it. The pool would approximately, of course this is, is exactly the scale, but you can see this is where the stairs would be. If, if I had a five foot variance here, that would give me approximately 10, a little bit, a little bit over 10 feet. The stairs would be here and then the pool would be, would give me about another five to four feet of possibility. Let me just real quick, give you a view of what that looks like. There's the staircase. I'm actually gonna have the staircase altered so that even though it's five feet extension, it wouldn't go straight down. It would go sideways, but it'd still need possibility between the pool and the, and the residence. The pool and the staircase.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Do you have any backyard neighbors?
Speaker 10I do. And right there is a picture showing the, the view there's a fence and there's tall pine trees that separate us.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)I don't think I have a problem with what you're requesting if there are no neighbors on the line to talk to us for this application.
Speaker 10Yeah. And I'll just give you a, a view from the overhead as well. There's, it's not clear, not close to the residence, nor close to the next adjacent residence.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Any other members of the board have any questions or comments? Jonathan, could you live with what he's asking?
Speaker 6If there's, if there's no issue from the neighbors, I, I think that'd be,
Shawn Cahill (Chair)That's, that's, that's I'm holding out for that as well. Exactly. Alright. So any other members of the board have any questions or comments? Hearing none, I'm gonna open it to the public. You can take that screen down, sir. Thank you. Anyone in the public have any questions or comments about this application? Nothing. Ms. Buckley? Yeah, you're muted. You're muted. Laura.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Got it. I'm missing the button. I thought I hit it three times.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)It
Speaker 10Did all the time. Right?
Laura Buckley (Clerk)I unmuted everyone. No one spoke.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Okay. Close the public portion and I'd make a motion to approve this application. I'll second it. Please call the roll.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Hillary, did we lose him again? Yeah, he's on Mr. Reggio? Yes. Mr. Bla? Yes. Mr. Hika? Yeah. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Riley, you're muted. Yes. Sorry. It's that kind of day. Trust me. And Chairman Cahill.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes. Mr.
Speaker 4S your application's been approved. We'll memorialize it at our next meeting in a written document and send that document to you. Good
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Luck.
Speaker 10Thank you so much. Appreciate it. Take
Adoption of Resolutions from September 26, 2024 Meeting AI  00:17:47 – 00:20:03
Board adopted six resolutions from prior meeting: approvals for Sushma Sharma, William Bender, Venture Net Properties, Sole America Limited, and Fox and Fox Development; approval of withdrawal for HBR Properties. All passed by roll call.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Care sir. Have a good day. Let's move on to item number 11, which is adoption of resolutions from the regular meeting of September 26th, 2024.
Speaker 4For some reason I can get my picture up there. First resolution, dunno what happened. Camera is on, but is Sushma Sharma, which you approved. Mr. Patel, where? Your Cameron on Mr. O'Reggio? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Duka? Yes. No. Thank you. Chairman Rondo? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Chairman Cahill?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes.
Speaker 4Next is William Bender, which you voted to approve. Mr. O'Reggio? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Duka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Next is Venture Net Properties, which you voted to approve. Mr. O'Reggio? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Heka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Next is Sole America Limited. Mr. cio? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Duka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Next is Fox and Fox Development, which you voted to approve. Mr. O'Reggio? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Duka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Finally is HBR properties. This is a resolution of withdrawal. We will need someone to move it and second it and then we'll need a roll call.
Laura Buckley (Clerk)We need a motion.
Speaker 4Could someone make a motion?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)I wasn't there.
Speaker 4I motion to move it. Whoever's here tonight is eligible.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)I, I'll make a motion. I'll take a second. Whoever wants a second or whatnot. I'll second. I'll. Thank
Speaker 4You. That one
Laura Buckley (Clerk)Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Hika? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Yes.
Speaker 4That's all I have for this evening.
Adoption of Minutes from September 26, 2024 Meeting AI  00:20:05 – 00:20:15
Board unanimously adopted minutes from the regular meeting of September 26, 2024 (all in favor by voice vote).
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Thank you Jim. Item number 12 is adoption of minutes from the regular meeting of September 26th, 2024. All in favor say aye.
Speaker 4Aye.
Closing Remarks & Adjournment AI  00:20:15 – 00:20:44
Chairman thanked Mr. Tillery for presiding over prior meeting. Board adjourned. Board member Weisman shared observation of Aurora Borealis visible in northern sky.
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Aye. Okay. Item number 13 is before we adjourn, I would like to thank Mr. Tillery for stepping in for myself and the Moroccan adventurer. And from what I understand, he did a really good job. So yes, he did. Item number 13 is a German. All in favor?
Speaker 4Aye. A
Speaker 11Aye. Aye. Before, before everybody runs away, there's a, there's an Aurora Borealis visible tonight. If you go out just before the to the
Shawn Cahill (Chair)North right
Speaker 11It, you can see it looking in the northern sky. It was a reddish
Shawn Cahill (Chair)Maroon. Little fun fact. Fun fact from Weisman. I like it. Good. Everyone good?