Transcript for Piscataway Zoning meeting on

Last updated

Transcript generated by rev.ai and may not be fully accurate. Use the audio player to verify any passage.

Download transcript Download audio
Jan 9 2025 · Zoning
0:00
–:––

Meeting Sections
  • 00:00:00 — Meeting Opening: Reorganization & Elections
  • 00:04:27 — Regular Meeting Opening
  • 00:05:23 — Agenda Adjustments & Postponements
  • 00:05:47 — Case 24-ZB-82V: New Singular Wireless 24-ZB-82V
  • 00:08:33 — Case 24-ZB-77V: Kim Voorhees 24-ZB-77V
  • 00:14:39 — Case 24-ZB-80V: Jeffrey Alof 24-ZB-80V
  • 00:16:28 — Case 24-ZB-81V: Eva Cook 24-ZB-81V
  • 00:18:21 — Adoption of Resolutions
  • 00:19:27 — Adoption of Minutes
  • 00:19:34 — Adjournment
Meeting Opening: Reorganization & Elections AI  00:00:00 – 00:04:27
Zoning Board of Adjustment reorganization meeting. Roll call confirmed six board members present. Pledged Allegiance, then conducted elections: Sean Cahill as Chairman, Steve Weisman as Vice Chairperson, Sean Cahill as Secretary. Board Attorney Jim Kinneally and Planner Mr. Chadwick re-appointed; Laura Buckley appointed as Recording Clerk. Committee assignments carried from prior term.
Speaker 0 Thank you, George. Good. Mr. Chairman. Oh, Mr. Cane. Mr. Chairman?
Speaker 1 Yes. The zoning board of Adjustment reorganization meeting will please come to order. Adequate notice of this meeting was provided in the following ways. Notice published in the Courier News. No notice posted on the bulletin board of the municipal building notice made available to the township clerk. Notice sent to the Courier News and the star ledger. Will the clerk please call the role?
Speaker 0 Mr. Weisman?
Speaker 2 Here.
Speaker 0 Mr. Tillery? Here. Mr. Patel? Here. Mr. Blo? Here. Mr. Haka? Here. Mr. Mitterando is not here. And Chairman Cahill Here,
Speaker 1 Will everyone please stand to salute the flag Pledge Allegiance
Speaker 4 To the flag, United States of America. And to the Republic it stands, one Nation Liberty Justice for Justice All.
Speaker 1 At this time, I'd like to open nominations for the chairman of the zoning board for the year 2025. Are there any nominations?
Speaker 2 Yes. Steve Weisman. I'd like to nominate Sean Cahill. I'll
Speaker 1 Second. Are there any seconds?
Speaker 3 I second. I second.
Speaker 1 Are there any other nominations for chairperson of the zoning board? All in favor?
Speaker 2 Aye. Aye. Aye.
Speaker 1 Any opposed? Chairman Cahill. I'll turn the meeting over to you.
Speaker 3 Thank you. Mr. Kaeley. I'd like to entertain election thoughts on a nomination for vice chairperson. Personally, I would like to nominate Steve Weisman. Can I get a second? I'll second it. Please call the roll Ms. Buckley. Oh, no, just I'll do, aye you can
Speaker 0 Do All in favor?
Speaker 3 Yeah. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Next to entertain a nominee for the election of a secretary,
Speaker 2 Steve Weisman. Here I'd like to nominate again. Sean Cahill.
Speaker 3 Can I get a, oh, I'll second. Okay, I'll second. All, all in favor say aye. Aye.
Speaker 2 Aye. Aye.
Speaker 3 Thank you again. Now we come to the point where appointment of a board attorney. I have been on this zoning board for 20 years. Mr. Kinneally was the township's zoning board attorney at that time. I've learned a lot from him. He's become a friend right now. He is probably the best land use attorney in the state of New Jersey now that Jim Clarken has retired. So I would like to, I would like to appoint Jim Kinneally as the board attorney. All in favor say aye. Aye.
Speaker 0 Aye. I do need a second though, chairman. I'll,
Speaker 2 I'll second.
Speaker 0 I'll pick somebody. Thank you.
Speaker 3 Thank you. Thank
Speaker 1 You very much.
Speaker 3 Okay. At this point we also come to the point where we need to select a planner and Mr. Chadwick has been doing an excellent job for us for the last, well, again, 20 years I've been on the board and he's been with me all the way. So I'd like to nominate Mr. Chadwick as our planner. All in favor? Second. Can I get a second? Second. Aye. All in favor? All in favor say aye. Aye.
Speaker 5 Thank you very much for your support.
Speaker 3 Its well deserved.
Speaker 5 It's fun to work with you guys. Ladies,
Speaker 3 Now it's time to appoint a recording clerk. And I believe that this young lady has been the stir that's just the straw that stirs our zoning board drink for the, for the last couple years. And she's a go-to and she gets all of us up to date. And I would love to nominate Laura Buckley for the recording. Clerk, can I get a second? All in favor say aye. Aye.
Speaker 5 Aye.
Speaker 0 Thank you.
Speaker 3 Laura, can we take the committee appointments the same as last term and for the committee members election? The committee chairperson?
Speaker 0 Absolutely. I could just pull it out and I
Speaker 3 Did. I think that's the easiest way to go. There's very little there. Alright. I would call at this point for an adjournment. All in favor say aye. Aye.
Speaker 5 Aye.
Speaker 3 You are adjourned,
Speaker 5 Mr. Chairman. I'm gonna be leaving the meeting. The remaining cases are all Jonathan's
Speaker 3 Review. Got you sir. Alright,
Speaker 0 Thanks John.
Speaker 3 Have a have a good night Mr. Chadwick. Have a great
Speaker 5 New Year's. I Thank you John.
Speaker 0 I'll see you in two weeks.
Regular Meeting Opening AI  00:04:27 – 00:05:23
Regular Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting called to order with adequate notice documentation. Roll call confirmed all seven members present (including Bill Mitterando). Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Cahill introduced agenda with Mr. Kinneally to present changes.
Speaker 3 Okay, let's start. Let's start the real meeting here. 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 bulletin board in 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 0 Mr. Weisman? Here. Mr. Tillery? Here. Mr. Patel. Here. Mr. Blot. Here. Mr. Hika here. And Chairman Cahill. Here
Speaker 3 Will everyone please stand for the SLU to the flag over my shoulder. Allegiance to the flag. United States.
Speaker 5 United States of America.
Speaker 3 And to the republic for which it stands.
Speaker 5 One Nation, nation under God,
Speaker 3 Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Kinneally, are there any changes to tonight's agenda? Yes, there
Agenda Adjustments & Postponements AI  00:05:23 – 00:05:47
Three applications postponed to future dates: Ronco development (146 Hillside Avenue and 160 Hillside Avenue) both adjourned to February 13 without further notice; Mary Jo Barki (784 River Road) adjourned to March 27, 2025 with notice required.
Speaker 1 Are Ronco development. 1 46 Hillside Avenue is adjourned to February 13th with no further notice. Ronco development one 60 Hillside Avenue is adjourned to February 13th with no further notice. And finally, Mary Jo Barki 7 84 River Road is adjourned until March 27th, 2025. They must notice.
Case 24-ZB-82V: New Singular Wireless 24-ZB-82V AI  00:05:47 – 00:08:33
Application for rooftop antenna equipment upgrade at 121 Centennial Avenue (Block 67, Block 3.02). AT&T network modification replacing nine antennas and equipment cabinets with no changes to antenna height, number, or structural footprint. Structural and RF analyses submitted. Board attorney recommended site plan exemption. No public comments. Vote: Unanimous approval (7-0).
Speaker 3 Thank you Mr. Kinneally. Let's move on to item number 6 24 dash ZB dash 82 V. New singular wireless,
Speaker 0 Excuse me, me. I'm sorry. Mr. Quinn, just on record to show that Bill Mitterando is on the meeting. Thank
Speaker 3 You. Thank you Laura.
Speaker 0 Thank you. I'm sorry. Thank you Mr. Quin. Mr. Quinn.
Speaker 6 Oh sure. Hi, good evening. For the record. My name's Christopher Quinn For those I was here in December. I was there and I was am back again representing Inger Wireless, P-C-S-L-L-C, whichever doses. At t. At t's in the process of a nationwide upgrade or modifications to its network. So it's effectively changing every single one of its facilities throughout the entire country. It's part of an equipment upgrade that helps 'em for future development. Talked about that a little bit in December. This particular application, it's 1 21 Centennial Avenue. It is a rooftop there. Block 67, block 3.02. Upgrade is very basic. They're replacing nine of the antennas. There's no change to the number and height of the antennas. They're replacing certain equipment cabinets on the platform. Again, no change to the height. They're replacing some of the kind of infrastructure to the antennas that are there. There's no additional antenna height, there's no additional antennas, there's no changes really to the structural implications here. We submitted structural analysis. We've submitted a radio frequency analysis to show there's no impact there from that either. It's a fairly straightforward modification, really just replacing of equipment. So we'd request that this be granted as part of the interpretation that, that we comply with all requirements of the FCC standards with respect to those, to that colocation statute.
Speaker 1 Mr. Chairman, I've reviewed the submission by Mr. Quinn. I agree with what he has stated to the board. All of those submissions, the RF report, the structural analysis are there. It appears from the site plan that they are not creating any new variances. So I believe that they are deserving of site plan exemption in this case.
Speaker 3 Thank you Mr. Keneally. Any other members of the board have any questions for this application? Hearing none, I'm gonna open it to public. Anyone in the public have any comments or questions about this application?
Speaker 0 No. One chairman.
Speaker 3 Okay. Close the public portion. I make a motion to approve this application. Can I get a second? I a second? I'll second it. Okay. Please call the roll.
Speaker 0 Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Hika? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 3 Yes.
Speaker 1 We'll memorialize this at our next meeting. Great.
Speaker 6 Thank you so much. Have
Case 24-ZB-77V: Kim Voorhees 24-ZB-77V AI  00:08:33 – 00:14:39
Application to replace deteriorated 30-year-old fence with new 5-foot PVC two-tone (white and beige trim) fence at 62 Parkside Avenue. Applicant affirmed fence positioned one foot off property line. Application also included freestanding pergola/gazebo structure. Board planner flagged non-conforming setback for accessory structure but applicant clarified dead-end street context. Conditions: building permits required for pergola; applicant approved. Vote: Unanimous approval (7-0), items 4-5 (landscaping bond) not required.
Speaker 3 A good evening. Item number 7 24 dash ZB dash 77 V. Kim Vorhees
Speaker 1 Is Kim Vorhees present?
Speaker 0 I am here.
Speaker 1 I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand?
Speaker 0 Absolutely.
Speaker 1 Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 0 Yes, I do.
Speaker 1 Your name and address please?
Speaker 0 Kim Voorhees. 62
Speaker 7 Parkside Avenue. Piscataway.
Speaker 1 Thank you. Could you explain to the board what you'd like to do here?
Speaker 7 Yes sir. I current, 30 years ago, I moved into the home that I have. I did everything with permits and I have a 30-year-old fence that's ready to fall down. So I'm looking to replace the existing fence with a new on PVC fence, the plastic fencing. But it will be a two-tone white with beige and I'm just putting it over where the, the existing fence is and just putting a new one in. What I, what I'd like to point out though, on the memorandum, there were a couple of areas that had existing was nonconforming, but when I did my measurements, just to let you know, I did it from say the pool to the fence and my whole fencing is done at least a foot off the property line. So the numbers that I gave you can add on at a minimum a foot to the whole perimeter. 'cause the fence was done one foot off the property line, you know, due to requirements at the time or or specs that I had done.
Speaker 1 Mr. Chairman, you may wanna check with Mr. Ms. Rahi.
Speaker 3 Mr. Ms. Rahi, could you jump in Jonathan here and give us your evaluation?
Speaker 8 Sure, certainly. So for items two and three, Ms. Vorhees, we're, we're in agreement. Those two comments are looking just for the future if they need to be replaced. Could you speak briefly on the construction of the pergola, the gazebo that you have drawn on the plan that you have in your yard?
Speaker 7 Yes. So it's a freestanding object. We had just placed, had Trex flooring put down and we just put the Pergo on top of it. There's no footings. It's six inches off the ground. So it's a free standing object. Okay.
Speaker 8 And an accessory structure like this four year zone should be setback 60 feet from 60 feet from Sheldon Place. So it is in a non-conforming location. I also just wanna point out that if this gazebo pergola for the board members, if this gazebo pergola is gonna be allowed at the end of this resolution, building permits would need to be sought for the structure just to make sure it's secured in an appropriate way. As for the fence, I think the fact that it's a two-tone fence is attractive compared to the, the solid right monolithic white fence. However, some buffering might be, might be attractive to help lessen that. It is a five foot fence, the foot, the fence is one foot off the property line, like you mentioned. Is there any way to get that three feet further in?
Speaker 7 Well, currently the, the, well first let me, I live on a, that's a dead end street Sheldon's a dead end street and there's only four houses. It's not a through street and they can't even build at the end 'cause there's a cul-de-sac. So there would never be a through street through here. There's only four homes behind me in that area. The fence itself, when I bought the house, the driveway, the fence, just lock goes lateral with the driveway. Bringing it in kind of makes my house look a little awkward the way the fencing is because there's Belgium block and then I'm coming in three feet off of that. So it kind of makes it a little awkward in that situation. And on the inside of my fence, I have a couple of bushes that were always there, so it's uprooting all the bushes and shrubberies that are running on the inside of my fence too.
Speaker 8 Okay.
Speaker 7 So aesthetic, aesthetically it would look from the front of my house. For me personally, it would look a little odd because you got a driveway running up and now you're offsetting it, you know, with the fence. It doesn't run smooth straight front to back.
Speaker 8 Alright. And just to confirm, it's a five foot solid fence, but it would be a two-tone, two-tone in color.
Speaker 7 Absolutely beige would just white trim around it, just a little white trim around it.
Speaker 8 That that's all my, that's all my comments, Mr. Chairman.
Speaker 3 Thank you, Jonathan. I appreciate it. The, the 15, the item that you mentioned, Jonathan, number five, the $1,500 landscaping bond. Yes.
Speaker 8 Four and four and five would be together. So if the board wants to pursue a, if the board wants to pursue a buffer, we would want bond to ensure that buffer is installed. Got
Speaker 3 It. If the
Speaker 8 Board feels like there's no need for a buffer because of the, the color and the height of the fence, then four and five would not be applicable.
Speaker 3 Okay. Thank you for your, your interpretation. I appreciate it. Any members of the board of 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 0 No. Ms.
Speaker 3 Okay. Close the public portion. And Ms. Forhe, you're okay with getting permits for the Pergo if we approve this application?
Speaker 7 Sure. Yes. Yes.
Speaker 3 Okay. Yeah, I, I'd make a motion to approve this application. And I get a second just to
Speaker 8 Be, just to be clear, Mr. Chairman, what, what decision would you like to make with the de
Speaker 3 Denoted taking out items four and five on the site impact?
Speaker 8 No. Understood.
Speaker 3 Okay. So I, I'll second it. Thank you. Steve, can I get a a, a roll call?
Speaker 0 Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Bla? Yes. Mr. Haka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. And Chairman Cahill? Yes.
Speaker 1 Your application's been approved. We will memorialize it in a written document at our next meeting. We'll send that document to you. Good luck.
Speaker 7 Thank you very much everybody. Thank, appreciate it. Good
Speaker 0 Evening. Have a good night. New year. Happy New Year.
Case 24-ZB-80V: Jeffrey Alof 24-ZB-80V AI  00:14:39 – 00:16:28
Application to install hot tub in backyard at 229 Running Avenue. Board planner confirmed no exacerbation of existing non-conforming setbacks; structure remains within visual footprint and does not impact Scott Street setback. No public comments. Vote: Unanimous approval (7-0). Applicant (mailman) humorously offered to deliver party invitations.
Speaker 3 Item number 8 24 dash ZB dash 80 v. Jeffrey Alof.
Speaker 8 Yes.
Speaker 1 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?
Speaker 9 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your name and address please.
Speaker 9 Jeffrey Deloft, 2 29 Running Avenue in Piscataway.
Speaker 1 Thank you. Mr. Deloff, would, could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 9 I was purchasing a hot tub to put on my property in my backyard.
Speaker 3 Okay. Sounds like a great idea to me. Especially on a cold like, like tonight.
Speaker 9 I thought so too.
Speaker 3 Mr. De, Ms. Rahi, could you please chime in with your sighting back?
Speaker 8 Certainly. Well, we don't, we don't see any exacerbation of any existing nonconforming setbacks. The hot tub's gonna remain within the visual footprint of the, of the residents along Runyon. And it doesn't, like I said, doesn't exacerbate the, the setback along Scott Street, so Thanks. Staff doesn't have, yeah. Any concerns?
Speaker 3 Thanks, I appreciate that. Thank you. 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 0 No. One chairman.
Speaker 3 Okay. Close the public portion. I'd make a motion to approve this application. I'll second. Second it please call the roll.
Speaker 0 Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blo? Yes. Mr. Heka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. And Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 3 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your application's been approved. We'll memorialize it in a written document at our next meeting and we'll send that document to you. Good luck. Thank
Speaker 9 You. Thank
Speaker 0 You. You
Speaker 3 Expecting some invitations Mr. Sandal? Yep.
Speaker 9 They'll be in the mail. I'm a mailman. You'll get 'em in the mail.
Case 24-ZB-81V: Eva Cook 24-ZB-81V AI  00:16:28 – 00:18:21
Application to replace rotted front entry steps at 436 Prospect Avenue in 7.5-foot zone. Existing steps undersized; applicant confirmed no expansion, only in-kind replacement. Board planner confirmed true hardship—any reconstruction remains non-conforming with front yard setback. No public comments. Vote: Approved (7-0).
Speaker 3 Shoot. Have a great night guys. You too. Let's move on to item number 9 24 dash ZB dash 81 V. Eva Cook
Speaker 1 Is Eva Cook present?
Speaker 10 Yes I am.
Speaker 1 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. Your name and address please?
Speaker 10 Eva Cook, 4 36 Prospect Avenue, Piscataway, New Jersey.
Speaker 1 Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 10 My front steps, my door in-law stepped on them and they dropped. We had 'em, somebody look at them, there was wood underneath and it's all rotted. I want to replace the existing steps, but I think it's 20 feet from the curb. I'm 21. I'm not changing anything. I'm modifying it. I just wanna replace what's there.
Speaker 3 Okay. Mr. Mara, could you jump in for a second, sir?
Speaker 8 Yes. So this is a 7.5 zone and it's undersized for that zone. So this is a true hardship. Even if they were to, even if they were to reconstruct in any sort of way, it's already gonna be nonconforming with the front yard setback. So as long as they're not expanding or making a, a larger staircase on what was their existing, it should be fine.
Speaker 3 Thank you. Appreciate that. Any other members of the board of any questions or comments? Hearing none, I'm gonna open it to the public. Anyone of the public have any questions or comments about this application?
Speaker 0 No. One chairman
Speaker 3 Oppose the public portion. I'd make a motion to approve this application. Can I have a second? I'll
Speaker 0 Second it. I'll
Speaker 3 Second. Okay. Please call the roll.
Speaker 0 Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blot? Yes. Mr. Heka? Yes. And Ms. Chairman Kale?
Speaker 3 Yes.
Speaker 0 Can't remember. I think I miss Bill. Yes. Thank you. Your
Speaker 1 Application's been approved. We'll memorialize it in a document at our next meeting and send that document to you. Good luck.
Speaker 0 Thank you everybody. Happy New Year. Happy New Year. Have a good night. You
Adoption of Resolutions AI  00:18:21 – 00:19:27
Formal adoption of four resolutions from the December 12, 2024 regular meeting: New Singular Wireless (approved), Grand Homes Investments (approved), Lisa Williams Gaffey (approved), and 36 Haight Avenue (approved). Roll call votes taken on each.
Speaker 3 Too. Let's move on to item number 13 at adoption of resolutions from the regular meeting of December 12th, 2020
Speaker 1 First resolution, new singular wireless, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman
Speaker 3 Abstain. I was not there.
Speaker 1 Thank you. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Hata? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Chairman Cahill? Yes. Next Grand Homes Investments, which you voted to approve. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Duka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Chairman Cahill? Yes. Next is Lisa Williams Gaffey, which you voted to approve. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Duka? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Chairman Cahill?
Speaker 3 Yes.
Speaker 1 Finally, 36 Haight Avenue, which you voted to approve. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Blount? Yes. Mr. Heya? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Chairman Cahill? Yes. Those are all the resolutions this evening.
Adoption of Minutes AI  00:19:27 – 00:19:34
Board voted to adopt minutes from the regular meeting of December 12, 2024. Unanimous approval (all in favor).
Speaker 3 Item number 14, adoption of the minutes from the regular meeting of December 12th, 2024. All in favor say aye.
Speaker 0 Aye. Aye.
Adjournment AI  00:19:34 – 00:19:51
Meeting adjourned. Closing remarks and discussion of upcoming Planning Board meeting schedule.
Speaker 3 Item number 15, adjournment. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Okay guys, thanks for coming out. Happy New Year and happy new
Speaker 0 Everyone. And you guys planning board yesterday They were 7 21
Speaker 3 And mine's seven 20. I just, good,
Speaker 0 Good. Thank you.