Transcript for Piscataway Zoning meeting on
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Jun 26 2025 · Zoning
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Speaker 0 This is not working. George, Mike. Okay. 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 of the municipal building notice made available to the township clerk. Notice sent to the Coer News and the star ledger with the clerk. I have, I'm gonna go in the other room. Corny. Is your laptop on?
Speaker 1 Okay, Mr. Weisman, while she's doing that, I'll attempt to call the role.
Speaker 0 Thank you.
Speaker 1 Mr. Weisman.
Speaker 0 Here.
Speaker 1 Mr. Tillery? Here. Mr. Patel? Here. Mr. Blum. Mr. Oria?
Speaker 0 Here.
Speaker 1 Mr. Mitterando? Here. Mr. Ali? Here. Chairman Cahill. You have a quorum? You may proceed.
Speaker 0 Thank you. Will, I'm here. Hika.
Speaker 1 Hey, dka. Hardy
Speaker 0 Heyah. Hey, Hardy. Thank you. Will everyone please stand for the salute to the flag? I pledge allegiance to the flag. The flag. The United States of United States of America
Speaker 1 And to the republic,
Speaker 0 Which,
Speaker 1 Which stands? Nation,
Speaker 0 Nation Justice, justice for all the cane. Are there any changes to tonight's agenda?
Speaker 1 Yes, there are. There are many changes. The application of Alicia Jimenez 20 Mitchell Avenue will be postponed until July 10th with no further notice by the applicant. The application of Steven Eden's one vocal avenue will be postponed to August 14th. He must notice the next change is James Biro 3 47 Rock Avenue. That is adjourned until July 10th, 2025. With no further notice. The application of Edgar Lopez, 12 Howard Street is postponed until July 10th, 2025. They must notice GDO auto repair 1300 West seventh Street is postponed until July 10th, 2025 with no further notice. Those are all the changes that I have tonight.
Speaker 0 Thank you. We can start with then on the agenda with number eight. That's 25 dash zb dash 41 B. Vinco properties holding the LLC
Speaker 1 Is Alan Solan present? Yes. Present. Did I pronounce that correctly? Good enough.
Speaker 1 Please proceed. Sure. So, thank you for having me. Members of the zoning board, we're making this application for 1 57 Murray Pervy. I believe we're seeking variances for a garage. It's there. It's, this is a preexisting non-conforming use. Specifically we're looking for, we're looking for relief for a 25 foot front yard setback. We're proposing a 17 foot front yard setback. We're proposing, we're, we're proposing a 15 foot front yard setback for an accessory structure of the garage where there's a 60 foot front yard setback. For an accessory structure. We're se we're proposing a two and a half foot side yard setback for an accessory structure being the garage where eight foot is required. And for the accessory building, we're also seeking a 28 foot by 18 foot garage structure. Where we're currently required is 25 feet by 25 feet. I, I, I have with me and here an engineer.
Speaker 1 We provided a report. We're c where we're describing the, the condition of the garage. Basically, this is a very straightforward application. This is a structure that's similar in to other structures in the neighborhood. In fact, this is a corner lot and I believe pretty much every corner lot within the ne with the, within two blocks around this have accessory gar garages similar to this. Actually a lot of 'em are a lot larger. So we're just seeking the relief of, of the c variance to allow for this preexisting non-conforming use to be, to be granted. I also have my app, my client who's here, who can, who can discuss this matter further as to what he's planning to do with the property. I will note that he is a, he bought this property to renovate it and to then he's gonna resell it. He's basically has permits and, and to, to make, make, basically to raise the value of the property to assist with the, with the property values is also an area. So I think there's, there's definitely positive criteria that assist us here.
Speaker 0 Okay. Let you know this is pretty standard. Let's, Jonathan, do you have any comments on this?
Speaker 2 Yes. So we're gonna, we're gonna want a five foot temporary construction easement along Murray Avenue for future work that the engineering department is gonna be undertaking. We've received the letter regarding the structural condition of the garage and we accept it. And just an understanding that this garage can only remain in its location so long as it's in good structural condition. Once it needs to be substantially reconstructed or improved in a structural way, it has to be relocated to a conforming location. And the last thing I'll add is the, from the images, the garage seems to be in good condition except for the, the, the door. I believe based on the testimony provided that that would be replaced. Just wanna get some confirmation of that.
Speaker 1 So, yeah, so I, I, my, my client is on, so I can have my shahi, if you can just confirm that you're gonna replace the, the garage door, but otherwise I, and he can confirm the other two items, but I've, I've already spoken to him and he, we are good with a temporary easement as well as perfect. The restriction of if this, if this garage should need substantive repair Yeah. Or, or, or is in complete disarray that it will be moved towards the, towards the, the, within the boundaries of the, of the, of the variance of the property setbacks. Thank you. Your representations are acceptable. We don't, we don't need to call any witnesses, I don't believe. Okay, perfect.
Speaker 0 Okay. Okay. Anyone on the board have any questions or concerns or comments on this request? Hearing none, I, I'll close this section and open up to the public. Anyone in the public have any questions, concerns, or comments on this request?
Speaker 3 No. One chairman.
Speaker 0 Thank you. I'll close the public portion. I'd like to make a motion to accept to, to authorize this variance. Can I get a second? A second. Will the clerk please call the role?
Speaker 3 Mr. Weisman?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 1 Yes. Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Blount? He's not here. I missed roll call Mr. Heka?
Speaker 1 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Cahill
Speaker 1 Not here. Your application's been approved. We'll memorialize this at our next meeting and send you a copy. Good luck. Thank, thank you so much everybody. Appreciate Thank you. Have a good night.
Speaker 4 Thank you.
Speaker 0 Moving on to item number 9 25 dash CB dash three four V. Har Meza, are you here? Yes.
Speaker 1 Har Meza present?
Speaker 4 Yes.
Speaker 1 Okay. I 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 4 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your name and address please?
Speaker 4 Arun Meza 600 Park Avenue, Pisca, New Jersey.
Speaker 1 Okay. You can put your hand down. Explain to the board what you'd like to do here.
Speaker 4 Actually, Eng engineer will provide testimony for, for, for my
Speaker 1 Engineer
Speaker 4 Paul Fletcher. Paul, we got Paul Fletcher,
Speaker 1 I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand?
Speaker 5 Yes.
Speaker 1 Testimony you're about to give should be the truth.
Speaker 5 Yes it is.
Speaker 1 Okay. And your name and address please. It's
Speaker 5 Paul Fletcher, 57 West Pond Road in Hope Lawn, New Jersey.
Speaker 1 And Mr. Fletcher, you've appeared before this board on prior occasions as an engineer.
Speaker 5 Actually, I'm appearing tonight as a planner.
Speaker 1 As a planner. And you've appeared before this board? Previously?
Speaker 5 I have.
Speaker 1 Okay. I believe the board can accept his qualifications.
Speaker 5 Thank you. If I could ask, there's no button to turn on video so you, I don't think you can see me.
Speaker 1 I cannot see you.
Speaker 5 Is that
Speaker 3 Something Paul, did you come, you, Paul you came in as an attendee?
Speaker 5 I came in using the,
Speaker 3 Because I did not send you a link. I did not know you were coming on tonight.
Speaker 5 I just use the, I usually just type in the, the, the ID number and then then
Speaker 3 What, what, what name did you come in under so we can make you a participant?
Speaker 5 Well, I'm coming in on my phone. It should say Paul Fletcher.
Speaker 3 That's right. The phone won't let you do it. 'cause you came in, you, you called it in. You didn't come in under the Zoom
Speaker 5 Link? No, I, well I did. I did. I came in on, well not the, I didn't tap on the Zoom link. You're right. Do you want me to try to do that?
Speaker 3 Yeah, if you call in on your phone, it won't let you do that. You have to go on Zoom and put in the ID and put everything else in. It's not gonna work. Mr. You came in as a telephone call
Speaker 1 Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this is a fairly simple application. Perhaps he can just describe the, what the applicant wants
Speaker 5 That please. Yes, certainly the subject property, as you have just heard of 600 Park Avenue in Piscataway, it is block 11 3 0 3 lot six. It is a hundred by hundred lot in the R 10 zone. It's corner lot the corner of Orchard Street on Park Park Avenue. It's dimensions of a hundred by a hundred. It's fully conforming lot. There is an existing one and a half story single family dwelling and detached garage. On the, on the property. The applicant desires to put a second floor on the single family house. Keeping the same foundation will be just a small extension out the front by the porch by about two feet. But other than that, it'll just be going straight up out and aha, excuse me while I tap some buttons here.
Speaker 6 Alright.
Speaker 3 Hey, Mr. Fletcher should be able to get on now. There's something wrong with the laptop. I had to use another computer.
Speaker 5 I'm trying to get on. I dunno if you can see me yet.
Speaker 6 No, we cannot.
Speaker 5 No, I don't think we need to belabor it. Let me provide the testimony. I I, I have no exhibits to show you. So
Speaker 0 Can, can we hear our engineer's report? Would that help John? Jonathan?
Speaker 2 Yes. Thank you. So seeing how the addition does not exacerbate any prior nonconforming setbacks, the main concern that our staff report addresses is a fence location as well as a landscape buffer for, for the fence. We also want some testimony from Mr. Fletcher because it, there, there just hasn't been enough information provided for, excuse me, why the house can't be reconfigured on the lot if we are doing such an extensive renovation. So I I'm happy to talk about, explain the fence, that solution that we were discussing in the staff report or we can put it back on Mr. Fletcher to provide testimony, some additional information as to why there hasn't been an attempt to relocate the structure.
Speaker 5 Certainly, I believe the video's working now. Yes, it is
Speaker 2 Following water. Beautiful.
Speaker 5 Yes it is. Let me answer that last question first and that is, it would be an extreme hardship to the applicant to request him to move the house. You, you're talking about essentially demolishing the house and re and rebuilding it. In this case, he's saving the, the basement and the foundation. He's saving the first floor framing he's putting a second floor on. That's to one of the reasons that I believe the board has the authority to grant this since it's in it is a C one hardship variance to comply with the required setbacks. There is an existing requirement in the R 10 zone of 35 foot front setback on Orchard Street. Existing setback is 29 feet and it will remain at 29 feet on Park Avenue. There is an existing non-conformity of 31.4 feet. The applicant proposes to have 29.67. So it's a difference of about two feet. And that's because of the projection at the front, which are, I believe closets for the front door. Now we have to remember, these are front yard setbacks, so we're not getting any closer to any of the neighbors. And, and in my mind, one is an existing can't really be fixed. The other is a de minimus change from the existing conditions. Apart from that, there are no other bulk variances required. He's well under on his rear and side setbacks well, well over rather well under on maximum lot coverage.
Speaker 5 Going to the report from June 2nd, I would agree with a statement that not, we did not exacerbate the existing non-conforming front yard setbacks. The common number two is that the fence should be brought in 22 feet from Orchard Street and have a, a single input panel coming from the corner of the house. And the applicant discussed that with the applicant is re agreeable to making that change. Number three talks about putting landscaping on the exterior fence along Orchard Street. We'll comply with those requests and also the bonding and installation in a, in a timely manner.
Speaker 5 With regards to number four, which asks for testimony to be provided for the variances, I believe, I believe you can justify this clearly under the C one hardship criteria where it would be a hardship on the owner to actually move and remove that existing condition of the front yard violation. And I see no detrimental or negative effects to the neighborhood or the zone, the master plan. With regards to, I think you can also look at the C two criteria where the benefits significantly outweigh the detriments. In this case, we're enlarging existing housing stock, we're beautifying the property, we're gonna be making it aesthetically pleasing. It'll be a proud addition to the neighborhood with the, the new facade. And, and I believe it's also being brought up to code standards and I see no adverse effect of the neighborhood or to, to the zone plan of the master plan.
Speaker 2 Okay.
Speaker 5 For those reasons, I think the board has the authority and I would request respectfully that they approve this application.
Speaker 2 I'll, I'll accept that testimony. Thank you Mr. Fletcher. So I just, two, two final points. You, so you understand item two on that staff report, how we're proposing that fence orientation?
Speaker 5 Yes.
Speaker 2 And, and for item three, that bond just the, just a point that's an optional bond in the event that they can't install it in a timely manner, I don't want you to be under the impression that it's mandatory.
Speaker 5 Understood. Understood.
Speaker 2 I don't have any other questions for Mr. Fletcher. I'm, I'm satisfied. Thank you.
Speaker 0 Thank you. Anyone else on the board have any questions or concerns or comments at this time? Hearing none, I'd like to open this up to the public. Anyone in the public have any questions, concerns, or comments on this request?
Speaker 3 No. One Chairman.
Speaker 0 Thank you. I'd like to close the public portion and I make a motion to accept this request. I second. Second. Thank you. Kalpesh. Will the clerk please take, take the roll.
Speaker 3 Mr. Weisman?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Yes. Mr. Regio?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Heka?
Speaker 2 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr.
Speaker 2 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your application's been approved. We'll memorialize this at our next meeting and send it to you.
Speaker 2 Thank
Speaker 5 You very much.
Speaker 0 Have a good night. And moving on to number 10. That's 25 dash ZB dash three oh V. Mr. Amva Roy.
Speaker 1 Is Amva Roy present?
Speaker 8 Yes, I'm present here.
Speaker 1 Okay. I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand? Yes. Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 8 Whatever you say. I'll speak the truth.
Speaker 1 Thank you. Give us your name and address please.
Speaker 8 9 7 3 East Lincoln Avenue, ske. New year 0 8 8 5 4.
Speaker 1 And your name?
Speaker 8 Amva Roy.
Speaker 1 Okay. Mr. Roy, could you explain to the board why board why you're here?
Speaker 8 Yeah. I'm here for, I'm requesting a six foot privacy fence in easement area in the back of the house and in the front yard setback. And that fence I am requesting and as a privacy for the family. And I, I would like to have a, you know, garden created garden with the flower plants and vegetable plants and I want to protect them from deer. And then I have a dog that, you know, also important for the fencing should not go out and then children playing in the property. So for safety reasons and to some extent, security also.
Speaker 1 Okay. And do you understand that if the township ever needs access to that easement, you would be responsible for removing the fence and replacing it at your cost? Yes. And you're agreeable to that? Yes. That's all that I have. Mr.
Speaker 0 Chairman. Thank you. Jonathan, you have any comments on this?
Speaker 2 We are requesting a landscape buffer along East Lincoln Avenue. Does the applicant agree to that?
Speaker 8 Yes.
Speaker 2 Okay. No further questions. Thank you. Thank
Speaker 0 You. Anyone else on the board have any questions, concern or comments on this request? Hearing none, I'd like to open this up to the public. Anyone in the public have any questions, concerns, or comments on this request?
Speaker 3 No. Chairman.
Speaker 0 Thank you. I'd like to close the public portion. I make a motion. We accept this request. Will the clerk, I'll second it. Thank you. Will the clerk please take the role?
Speaker 3 Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Yes. Why they Mr. Patel? Yes. Yes. Mr. Reggio?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Hica?
Speaker 8 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Weissman?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your application's been approved. We'll memorialize this in a written document at our next meeting and we'll send that document to you. Good luck.
Speaker 8 Thank you.
Speaker 0 Have a good night. Thank you. Moving on to number 11. That's, I can
Speaker 8 Drop up. I can drop up. Yes.
Speaker 0 Yes,
Speaker 3 Yes
Speaker 8 Sir. Okay. Thank you very much.
Speaker 0 Moving on to number 1125 dash ZB dash 42 v. Manishh Patel
Speaker 1 Is Manishh Patel present. Manishh Patel, are you present?
Speaker 9 Yes. Yes. Sorry.
Speaker 1 Okay, I 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 9 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your name and address please?
Speaker 9 Manis Patel Piscataway 56 Rachel Terrace.
Speaker 1 Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 9 Yeah. Let me, my daughter explain a little better then.
Speaker 1 Okay. 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 Mayor Patel at 56 Rachel Terrace, Pisca, New Jersey.
Speaker 1 Thank you. Speak up and explain to the board what your family would like to do.
Speaker 10 Good evening. We're requesting to have a portion of our proposed second story deck extend five and a half feet into the rear yard setback. So that's instead of the 25 feet, we want it to be 19 and a half feet. In a previous variance, we were already approved for a 19 and a half feet setback for an addition to the house. So we just wanna make the deck flush with that addition. The previous approval granted was under 24 ZB 11 V. The deck wouldn't go any further than what the house already is. So the overall footprint and visual impact would remain cons like consistent and from the staff report, we understand the board's concerns about potential site lines or privacy and we're open to putting screening or anything up to protect privacies of neighboring properties. And we've already spoken to our neighbors like the adjacent neighbors and they're, they like showed support. They can provide a letter if necessary.
Speaker 10 So that's for the deck. We also have a fence, like in the previous variance it was also approved to extend it out 20 feet. We just want it to start from the front of the house, but I know the town sees it as the side of our house 'cause we're a corner lot. So that was another thing. And we were also asking for a depressed curb or driveway is currently a three car driveway, but we only have like the one car opening so we would have to like turn the car to make it go in. So we're just asking if we could make a depressed curve for the, the entire width of the driveway so it's easier to reverse in and out and such.
Speaker 1 Mr. Weisman, you may wanna check with Mr. Ms. Rahi.
Speaker 2 Yes, Jonathan. So yes, thank you. So we'll start with the driveway. So you'll need a street opening permit to do that. We can, we can address that almost separately from everything else that we're doing here. There's a required detail for how that sidewalk and and driveway AP needs to be. That should have been included in the memo that was sent to you. Yes. So that's something that we can, you'll come into the office, we can handle that. Do you have any of these neighbors on the call tonight on the call that you've spoken with about the rear sidelines?
Speaker 10 They're not on the call, no.
Speaker 2 Okay. And I just wanna again, just reiterate the, the fence location doesn't exacerbate the prior approval and like you said, it's a, it's a, we see it as a front yard. It's your side yard. The staff, the staff feels like the deck shouldn't, we shouldn't grant this encroachment in the rear yard setback. Have you considered doing a smaller deck with a patio?
Speaker 10 It's a second story deck. So we, we have considered moving it out, like shortening it so we wouldn't even have to go through the whole with variance thing, but it, it wouldn't look as nice like the appeal like from the back 'cause it wouldn't go flush with the house. We also have a big family and we have like pots gathering, so it'd be nice to get the full yard, like the full deck instead of shortening it.
Speaker 2 Okay. Mr. Chairman, I'll put it like this. I'll, we'll put it up to a vote if this gets approved. I want to condition this with evergreen landscape screening along the back property line and the side property line as needed to screen this from the neighbors as well as a road opening permit for a street opening permit for the, the driveway work. But I'll, I'll leave it up to the board to place a vote.
Speaker 0 So the, the screening you're suggesting this is a second story deck, will provide actually privacy for the neighbors from who are people standing on the deck looking into other yards? Is that accurate?
Speaker 2 I'm just trying, the intention would be, the intention would be for neighbors looking, looking up into the, into the deck? Yes.
Speaker 0 Okay. Thank you. That's acceptable
Speaker 2 Mr. And we'll also, we'll also condition, we'll also condition a landscape screen along Rachel Terrace post fence to be consistent with how we're handling the six foot solid vinyl fencing. And that's something that we can, that's something that we can work on together. It'd be shrubs spaced every three to six feet and we can, we can work on the details of that once you get the fence installed.
Speaker 0 Okay. This acceptable Mr. Patel?
Speaker 2 Yes.
Speaker 0 Okay. I'd like to open this up to the, any, any member of the board have any questions, concerns, or comments on this request? Hearing none, I'd like to open this up to the public. Anyone in the public have any questions, concerns, or comments on this request?
Speaker 3 No. One chairman.
Speaker 0 Thank you Laura. I now close the public portion and I make a motion to accept this request with the conditions laid out by Jonathan. Can I get a second? One second.
Speaker 2 Thank
Speaker 0 You. Will the clerk please take the roll?
Speaker 3 Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 2 Yes.
Speaker 3 Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Hika? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Weissman?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your application's been approved with those conditions? We'll memorialize this in a written document at our next meeting and we'll send that document to you. Good luck. Thank you. You thank, thank you so much.
Speaker 0 Have a good night.
Speaker 3 Goodnight.
Speaker 0 Moving on to item number 1525 dash ZB dash 11 V. It's Parkway Plastics.
Speaker 2 Good afternoon board chair, members of the board. My name is David Psad, licensed attorney in the state of New Jersey with Bob Smith and Associates here tonight representing the applicant Parkway Plastics for 25 ZB 11 V. Tonight we're seeking a use variance, a D one use variance for the use of outdoor storage containers that is used for the business, the primary business that's on the site. And we understand that these containers are violating the accessory setback accessory structure, setbacks, we'll get into more detail however we are. The property that we in question is located at 5 61 Stelton Road designated as block 5 3 0 2 on lot 1.03 in the LI five zone. The property has approximately 300 feet of frontage along Stelton Road and has a county drainage easement along the western property line to the north of the property, which would be the rear yard. There is a Conrail railroad line that goes along the length of the rear yard.
Speaker 2 Past that rail line is approximately 40 acres of undeveloped land that is currently owned by the N-J-D-E-P and is a Superfund site surrounding this property. There are commercial, retail and other industrial uses currently on the site. There is a family owned business which manufactures high quality plastic lids and jars and ships them to a variety of businesses both locally and worldwide. This business has been in this location for three generations and over 75 years and the Rowan family has operated this site and used outdoor storage for a long time. While this business has been operational, the containers on the site are utilized for manufacturing to store products that are used for the manufacturing and to store products that are already ready to ship out to customers. There is one main building on the site. That building is consist, contains offices and also most of the manufacturing production area.
Speaker 2 The site is in immaculate condition. I have walked it with the client. It is very well kept. Landscaping is well kept. The concrete and pavement areas are sealed or repaved where needed and it is very organized and maintained. Tonight the applicant is proposing to continue utilizing the outdoor storage containers for the manufacturing and product operation. While some of the containers are within the accessory structure, setbacks the shape and features of the, the lot limit the ability to store these containers on the site. However, they have been there for 75 years and the containers have been on the site for since approximately 1970s. The applicant will go into more details on the site conditions as well. So as mentioned, we are here seeking a D one use variance for the containers to remain on site and to utilize them. I have gone through with the applicant and we have come up with a solution to mitigate some of the setback requirements and also to provide some landscaping. So for testimony tonight I have the applicant, Mr. Ned Rowan that is here from Parkway Plastics. I also have Mr. James Higgins from James W. Higgins Associates as our professional planner. The staff report that we will be referring to tonight is the Piscataway Township staff report that is dated April 21st, 2025. And we intend to address the comments that are on there and hopefully we'll be able to work with Mr. Rahi to come to an agreement on how we can make the site more functional.
Speaker 2 With that I have, if the board has no questions of me, I'd like to introduce our first witness.
Speaker 1 Is that Mr. Rowan?
Speaker 2 That is Mr. Rowan.
Speaker 1 Mr. Rowan, can you hear me?
Speaker 11 Yes, I can. Good evening.
Speaker 1 I 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 11 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your name and address please?
Speaker 11 Ned Rowan. My full name is Edward Rowan, 55 West Lane, Madison, New Jersey. Thank
Speaker 1 You. Go ahead Mr. Psad.
Speaker 2 Thank you. Mr. Rowan, can you please for the benefit of the board, tell them your role and relationship to the business at 5 61 Stelton Road,
Speaker 11 Director of Operations
Speaker 2 And
Speaker 11 Business. Sorry,
Speaker 2 Go ahead. Okay, so the, you're the director of operations and this is a family owned business, correct?
Speaker 11 Correct. It was founded approximately 1953 by my grandfather. Great.
Speaker 2 Can you please tell the board why we are here tonight seeking a use variance for these containers?
Speaker 11 We received a notice from the township essentially relating to some of the storage containers on our property and stating that they were not conforming to authorization for the township currently.
Speaker 2 Okay. And we, and tonight we are seeking to maintain those containers in the current layout, but we do intend on changing some of those setback issues, correct?
Speaker 11 That's correct. Sorry, I had to step away to close a door. I apologize.
Speaker 2 No worries. So can you please explain to the board why you chose Piscataway to open the, or why your grandfather and why you continue to run this business in Piscataway?
Speaker 11 Well my grandfather chose it because it was, you know, just a, a great, great town to grow a business. He's, he'd always been from the area, our family's been in New Jersey for many generations and his sister lived at the shore and he lived up in this area and they actually purchased the property together and were 50% owners at the time that they purchased it. And you know, it just seemed like a really great and central location. Obviously we all know that it's near to all of the main arteries servicing both the, you know, east and west in the country and of course up and down the country as well.
Speaker 2 Good. And there are a number of employees that you have at your operation currently that are, that are residents of Piscataway Township, correct?
Speaker 11 Yes, that's correct. I do not handle hr but my understanding is seven are within Piscataway and then many are also within the surrounding towns. You know, maybe another seven to eight to 10 are within the surrounding towns. Call it Dun Ellen.
Speaker 2 Okay, understood. Can you please explain to the board the hours of operation?
Speaker 11 The business operates five days a week at times where we are extremely busy, we ramp up and can go as lengthy as seven days, although we try and manage the schedule to allow the time off on the weekend and it's three shifts, so it's 24 hours a day and the shifts in the evening tend to be lighter than the day shift.
Speaker 2 And how many employees do you have on site?
Speaker 11 It does vary between 35 and say I think at our absolute peak it was 47.
Speaker 2 It's 47 employees but not all on site at the same time within three shift?
Speaker 11 That's correct. Not all on site at the same time, you know, generally speaking, the day shift tends to be the more populated shift, having somewhere in the neighborhood of 2020 to 25 people and the night, the evening shift and overnight shift tend to have more along the lines of seven to six to eight people.
Speaker 2 Understood. Can you please explain what the purpose of the containers are on site?
Speaker 11 It's to store, generally speaking, finished good inventory.
Speaker 2 So these products, these are products that are already manufactured and kept in the containers to be shipped?
Speaker 11 That's correct.
Speaker 2 And what types of products do you manufacture?
Speaker 11 We manufacture plastic containers, plastic jars, plastic caps.
Speaker 2 And these vary in shape sizes and colors depending on inventory and customer needs, correct?
Speaker 11 That's right. We have about ballpark 250 different shape sizes and then we also hold them in stock for customers because it is a proprietary line. We're generally not a captive manufacturer, it's almost like a grocery store for packaging and so you, you know, need an ability to have them in specific locations and to enable access as well.
Speaker 2 Understood. So keeping these products in these colors containers allows you to maintain organized and an organized manufacturing and also an organized sale process. Is that correct?
Speaker 11 Yes, that's correct.
Speaker 2 Are all the containers on your site currently being utilized? Yes,
Speaker 11 They are.
Speaker 2 And how do you know what's in each container?
Speaker 11 We have a detailed inventory list with specific mins and maxes. So, and specific locations.
Speaker 2 So at the moment you are using all the containers that are on site and have you reduced the, the amount of containers on your site?
Speaker 11 Yes, we have. So I was in college until 2001, entered the business in 2003. And at the time of entering the business it was probably, we might have had as many, you know, at least maybe 30 to 40% more, 30% more containers. But you know, over the course of the prior 22 years, as sad as that is, we've reduced them. You know, I, I've really made a, a pretty big effort to try and manicure the property and eliminate items that were not needed in the interest of, you know, being a good citizen to the township.
Speaker 2 So in that process you removed approximately 25 containers, I believe? Correct.
Speaker 11 It might be 35, 35
Speaker 2 Containers. And the materials that are stored in these containers are manufactured products. Do any of the containers have any hazardous or chemical or flammable substances inside?
Speaker 11 No.
Speaker 2 Currently how the site is, how are the containers screened from view from the neighboring properties?
Speaker 11 We have a six foot chain link slatted fence
Speaker 2 And the chain link flats, they're also painted
Speaker 11 The, the, the, the slats on the chain link fence, which I also installed to assist in that capacity for, you know, adding a nice aesthetic to the property are a forest green, shall we say. And over the past 10 to 15 years, we've also proceeded to paint the containers the same color, forest green, you
Speaker 2 Know, and that's to reduce the visibility through the slats, if any?
Speaker 11 Yes.
Speaker 2 Understood. And there are some trees along the eastern property line, is that correct?
Speaker 11 That's correct.
Speaker 2 Okay. You also proposed to take some additional measures to, to mitigate the, the visual of these containers. Right now it appears that maybe they're only visible from the shopping center, is that correct?
Speaker 11 That's correct.
Speaker 2 And the additional measures, if I can pull it, share my screen, I'll show an exhibit that we have created and then Ned if you can talk through what the measures, what we are talking about. So then if I can ask you specifically, are you willing to relocate containers numbered on this plan? Numbered one, two, and three. And are you willing to relocate them to where the position of eight, nine, and 10 are?
Speaker 11 That's correct, yes I am
Speaker 2 And eight, nine and 10 will be removed from the site.
Speaker 11 That's my proposal.
Speaker 1 Okay. Lemme just stop you for a minute. Sure. This, we're gonna mark this as a one. Yes. And can you supply a paper copy to the zoning board for our file?
Speaker 2 Yes, will do.
Speaker 1 Thank you.
Speaker 2 So just to reiterate, eight, nine and 10 are going to be removed and replaced with one, two, and three, correct?
Speaker 11 Correct.
Speaker 2 Additionally, item containers numbered 11 through 17 will be reduced to 20 foot containers, correct?
Speaker 11 Yes, correct. They are current, the containers that are currently there are 40 foot containers and I'm proposing to remove those and replace them with 20 foot containers.
Speaker 2 And those containers are the containers that are the most violative of the side yard setback, correct?
Speaker 11 That's correct.
Speaker 2 And additionally, in, in conjunction with the staff report, are you proposing to do landscaping along that property line to screen it from the shopping center?
Speaker 11 Yes, we're willing to help make it more pleasant to the shopping center if that's what the town would like.
Speaker 2 And will you work with our, the township landscape architect, Mr. Mizrahi's present on this call? Will you work with him to get a good landscaping plan? That's the satisfaction of the township and also that provides functionality for your site?
Speaker 11 Yes, I am.
Speaker 2 To address another comment on the staff report dated April 21st, 2025, there are additional structures that were placed on the site prior to Mr. Rowan working at this facility. Ned, can you please tell us about that 19th structure labeled 9 19 50 k Quonset Hut, please.
Speaker 11 I mean, I can tell you that I, I, I think it predates 1950s, it's always been referred to as a World War II Quonset hut, so I'm not sure the true date of it, but I think that is it. I think it was an, a hanger of some sort. I'm not sure. Sure what for perhaps military vehicles, but I really can't tell you which kind.
Speaker 2 Okay. Also, there is another structure on the site date labeled as a 1998 for storage. Can you please tell the board that what is inside that container or that structure
Speaker 11 That's also used for inventory,
Speaker 2 Storage of inventory? Correct. There's one more that is just below that, labeled 19 8, 19 98 structure for production. Can you please explain to the board what that is for?
Speaker 11 We use that for printing and other types of production related processes.
Speaker 2 Okay. And that container that is used for production, that is sprinkler as well?
Speaker 11 Yes, that's correct.
Speaker 2 And you have a yearly fire inspection done by the township and you have never had an issue or any, any fire hazards that were noted? Correct. A additionally, to request one of the, to address one of the comments on the staff report, have you considered expanding the building to increase storage in the interior of the building?
Speaker 11 It, it has been considered over the years, but it really just does not seem like we would be able to do that without having to shut the business down for an extended period of time. And I just don't know that the business would survive.
Speaker 2 And it also will put your employees out of a job for UN until the renovations are completed, is that correct?
Speaker 11 Correct.
Speaker 2 To address another comment on the staff report, are you willing to install the fiber optic cables along the property frontage as requested by the town? Yes, we are a fiber optic conduit's, not cables. I'm sorry.
Speaker 11 Sorry. Yes, we are.
Speaker 2 And for security around the site, can you explain what kind of security you have currently for the site?
Speaker 11 I mean, we have several camera systems
Speaker 2 That contains about 39 cameras, is that correct?
Speaker 11 39 cameras? That's correct.
Speaker 2 And the lighting around the site is also motion sensor lighting, is that correct?
Speaker 11 Yes, that's correct. We replaced it within the past five years. Okay. All of the lighting's been switched to LEDI believe that's what it is.
Speaker 2 Understood. I have no f mo no further questions for Mr. Rowan. If the board does have any questions, I'll jump in. Yeah, I'll jump in quickly. So has there been, has there been any consideration for, for putting up another one of these, I'm gonna pronounce the wrong, the Quonset huts or some other form of accessory storage unit that's not a shipping container that might have additional capacity?
Speaker 11 It has, it's just has not seemed to be practical to allow the business to continue to run during that time. We did look into it upon receiving the complaint from the town and we'd considered it prior. It just, it, it really could cause irreparable harm to the business in a, in its current location.
Speaker 2 Yeah, I I just, I feel like if we're, if we're talking about moving a lot of these 20 foot units and kind of shuffling them all around along the, along the border with lot one 1.04, it, it's, wouldn't that cause the same, wouldn't that cause the same hardship on the business that this would impact your, your business in the same way? I could argue that, you know, installing a, a more substantial permanent storage solution would have just as much impact as this proposal would.
Speaker 11 I don't think that, I think that it would be significantly easier for us to facilitate the transfer of, of these containers then disrupting the entire inventory system for, you know, what could be 12 to 24 months to, I mean, we would've nowhere to put anything that currently is there.
Speaker 2 Okay. David, are you, do you have any other witnesses for, for this applicant? Yes, I do have a professional planner, Mr. Higgins here to testify in the variance. I'll, I'll hold off on any further questions. John, do you have anything you wanna add for Mr,
Speaker 12 Mr Mr. Chairman, this is John Chadwick. I did submit a report, it wasn't referenced at the outset, it's dated April 8th, 2025. There are five items raised in the report. The testimony on discussion prior addresses, all but one, does that fence still have barbed wire on the top?
Speaker 11 Yes, it does, but we would be more than happy to remove that
Speaker 12 Because it wasn't mentioned and I think it should be,
Speaker 11 I apologize for that.
Speaker 12 And I also, the landscaping on the front of the building, Jonathan, I guess you can take care of that. I just think it's pretty sparse.
Speaker 2 Thank you John.
Speaker 12 Sorry to interrupt.
Speaker 0 That's okay, John, thank you.
Speaker 2 If the, excuse me if the board has no further question. Oh,
Speaker 12 I'm sorry. Absolutely. These containers aren't mobile, you don't ship product with these containers, correct? That's correct. They're, they're simply a storage unit. And will you keep inventory? Correct. Okay, thank you.
Speaker 0 Thank you. John,
Speaker 2 If I may I further witnesses? Call them you.
Speaker 1 If there are no further questions, you can call Mr. Higgins.
Speaker 2 Thank you Mr. Higgins, if you can turn on your mic and your camera and be sworn in by the board please.
Speaker 14 Yep. I think they're both on.
Speaker 1 Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 14 I do.
Speaker 1 Your name and address please.
Speaker 14 James W. Higgins, H-I-G-G-I-N-S 14 Tilton Drive, ocean, New Jersey.
Speaker 1 Mr. Higgins has been accepted as a planner before this board on numerous prior occasions
Speaker 14 And my license is still current.
Speaker 0 Thank you.
Speaker 2 Proceed. Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr. Higgins, if you can please run through your testimony on the variances that we're seeking and the justifications under the MLU. Well and also if you can give the board your opinion on the site and the current operations. Yeah,
Speaker 14 Well I'll start with the site and the current operation. The site is a 3.81 acre site. It's in an area with industrial and commercial uses. As David said, there's a railroad conrail directly behind the site. And on the other side of that railroad is a very large Superfund site. So the properties actually surrounding the site are not substantially impacted by what's going on on this site. This the site is screened from the property to the east, from the supermarket to the east by the fencing and also by the topography. The site, the property slopes down about three or four feet from the adjacent property and that mitigates a lot of the visual impact of the storage units. And the storage units themselves have been upgraded and very, very well maintained. They're painted, they look immaculate. The property itself is quite frankly immaculate. I'm very surprised that it's an industrial property and in the condition it's in it's act, it's better maintained than my residential property. I was a little bit embarrassed when I was walking around it.
Speaker 2 So
Speaker 13 You didn't have to go to motor vehicle
Speaker 14 The,
Speaker 13 Or I mean, because it, it, because I just got my thing in the mail. So you are able to pay whatever the, the car registration and the property tax
Speaker 0 Bill. Can you mute the, your
Speaker 14 Yeah, I can't hear you.
Speaker 0 I was asking Bill to, to
Speaker 13 The registration.
Speaker 0 Mute your phone bill. Please mute your mic
Speaker 3 Bill, please mute yourself,
Speaker 13 But you don't have to do inspections. Oh, that's nice. Yeah, well Bill did that because you can in North Carolina you have to have it inspected. But we,
Speaker 0 I apologize for the interruption here. We're having problems. Oh, there we go. Okay. We can continue.
Speaker 14 Yeah. Yeah, I mean the site, in my opinion is particularly suited for what they're proposing to do. The containers are not the same size, the same height as a building would be. I did a very quick calculation based on the number of containers that are there and the square footage of storage and it's about three quarters of an acre. So to replace those containers with a building would be a substantial impact on the property and probably would close the business down for a while because it, they would lose the ability to store the product on the site to begin with and would be improving much of the site with, with the construction of a new building. And whether or not the fact the, it would be practical for the applicant to do that, I don't know. But the site is particularly suited for what the applicant's proposing to do.
Speaker 14 I think the minor modifications that are being proposed with reducing the size of some of the storage units and proposing the landscaping along the eastern property line, I think are a substantial improvement and would improve the appearance of the site. And like I said, the appearance of the site is, is very, very good to begin with for, for an industrial site. So I don't see any substantial negative impact. I do think, again, this is an industrial use in an industrial zone. It's a light industrial use in a light industrial zone and the storage is necessary for the business to continue to operate in the manner that it has operated on and has been on the site for over 75 years. The other point I would make is that the site, up until the last 20 years, ha has basically been the rear of the site has basically been dirt and there, there were containers stored on the dirt area.
Speaker 14 The applicant, the current operator of the site has come in. He has made substantial improvements in terms of grading the site in terms of putting landscaping and grass in the south. The northwestern corner of the site does flood periodically. So he removed all of the containers out of that area and just put in a grass area, which I think is, was a substantial improvement also. So when I look at it, I think there are substantial benefits to what the applicant's proposing and, and what to what's been done. And that he's, he is proposing to maintain these storage units in their current condition, in their current locations with the, with the changes that were suggested. And I don't see any substantial negative impact to the surrounding area or to your zone plan. In fact, quite frankly, the storage containers should the business leave the site and another business come in, it would not be a major production for a new business if they wanted to, to remove those storage containers and to do other improvements to the site if it suited them.
Speaker 2 Mr. Higgins, we're gonna ask you a question. Sure. You did say that the site floods periodically to the rear, it doesn't exactly flood, is that correct? It's just the grass gets a little too soft to support a, a container there. Well,
Speaker 14 I see, I have not witnessed that. The applicant has explained to me that at times it, it flooded to up to the area where the grass is. It, it gets covered, gets covered with water. So
Speaker 2 It's not, and that's be, and that's because of a drainage easement that's existing. There's,
Speaker 14 There's an EAs there's a drainage structure that exists on the western side of the site. It's basically a dry ditch most of the time. But there are times when there's heavy rain that it does flood and it goes under the, the JI goes under two with two culverts under the railroad track to the, to the Superfund site on the other side of the railroad track.
Speaker 2 Understood. I have no further questions for Mr. Higgins. If the board has any questions,
Speaker 0 Anyone on the board have any questions? No. No. We nothing from the board. Do you have anyone else?
Speaker 2 No, Mr. Higgins is the, the final witness that we have tonight. Okay.
Speaker 0 Jonathan, do you have any things you'd like to add at this point?
Speaker 2 Yes, thank you. This type of container is still not permitted. So if there is, if the board does look favorably upon this application, I would feel more comfortable having some sort of written understanding between the applicant and the township Jim. However, we feel like that's best. Whether it's a deed restriction, a developer's agreement, whatever document of the sort, we need to limit the future addition of shipping containers. And we also need to condition that once this property is sold, the shipping containers will be removed otherwise. Mr. Chairman, I'm looking forward to working with the applicant on landscaping matters. Should this be approved And that's, that's all the comments that I have.
Speaker 1 Mr. Perso af, after you make the changes suggested in your exhibit A one, moving containers one, two and three and removing eight, nine and 10 I believe Yes. How many containers will be present on the property?
Speaker 2 It will still have Ned. You might be able to answer this better than I can. Essentially it'll have what is there now minus ten three minus 10
Speaker 11 Minus 10 I think. Yes. If you pull up your sheet again, three go away when we move them. Plus I think we proposed removing another seven
Speaker 1 And so we'll be getting rid
Speaker 11 Of net 10.
Speaker 2 What
Speaker 1 Would the number
Speaker 2 We're producing?
Speaker 11 Yeah, net reduction of 10.
Speaker 1 And what would the, the final total number be after you take away 10 75
Speaker 11 And I would've no problems with the deed restrictions requested.
Speaker 1 I believe Mr. Psad and I can work that out. And you also have no problem that if you vacate the property you would remove all of the containers.
Speaker 11 That's correct. I mean, I'll be honest, just we've been in Piscataway for 75 years and you know, I myself have been running it for 20 years and you know the word immaculate has been used several times. We truly take pride in our property so if the board would be willing to give this consideration, we would be thankful.
Speaker 1 That's all that I have. Mr. Chairman, I think I can address Mr. Mizrahi's comments with the, the applicant's attorney.
Speaker 0 Very good. Mr. Chadwick, did you have anything you want to
Speaker 12 Other than the removal of the barbed wire and the enhanced landscaping, which I've already said.
Speaker 0 Okay. Thank you. Anyone on the board have any questions, concerns, or comments at this time? Hearing none, I'd like to open this up to the public. Anyone in the public have any questions, concerns, or comments at this time?
Speaker 3 No. No one. Chairman,
Speaker 0 Thank you. I would like to close the public portion. I'd like to make a motion that we accept this request with the comments of John, of Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Rahi. Can I get a second? I'll second. I'll second it. Thank you. Will the clerk please call the role?
Speaker 3 Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 11 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Patel? Yes. Yes. Mr. Regio?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Heka?
Speaker 2 Yes.
Speaker 3 Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Yes. And Chairman Weiss?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 1 Your application's been approved. We'll memorialize it at our next meeting. Before that I'll be in touch with you to go over some language to for the resolution.
Speaker 2 Understood. Thank you counsel and thank you board chair and
Speaker 0 Thank you. Thank you members of the board. Have a great night. You too. Thank you to the board. Thank you very much. Okay, moving on to the next one. Item number 16. This is 23 dash ZB dash seven six V. Mary Jo Beski.
Speaker 1 Did we hear from the re the applicant today?
Speaker 3 No, we have not. Mr. Keneally and he was sent to Zoom link also.
Speaker 1 Okay. Mr. Chairman, this application, as you can see from the ZB number is several years old. The applicant has not cooperated and they have not responded. We put them on notice at their last hearing that if they were not ready to proceed tonight, the board would entertain a motion to dismiss for lack of prosecution. I would like someone from the board to make that motion if you so desire.
Speaker 0 I will make that motion. I'll second it. Thank you.
Speaker 1 We'll need a roll call on that. Thank you.
Speaker 3 Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Heka?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 3 Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ley? Yes. And Chairman Weisman?
Speaker 0 Yes.
Speaker 1 Thank you.
Speaker 0 Okay, moving on. Number item number 17, adoption of resolution from the regular meeting of June 12th, 2025.
Speaker 1 First resolution N-Y-S-M-S-A Verizon Wireless, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Next is Jay Patel, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Next is RSS Madison, which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Final resolution? Yah. He Abbas. Which you voted to approve. Mr. Weisman? Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ali? Yes. Those are all the resolutions I have this evening.
Speaker 0 Thank you. Moving on to item 18, adoption of minutes from the regular meeting ju of June 12th, 2025. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any nays and abstentions passes. Thank you. Item number 19, 18 again. 19 adjournment. Can I get a motion? I'll make a motion. I'll second it. Everyone have a good night. Happy. Happy July 4th. Thank you
Speaker 1 Everyone. Everyone have a good,
Speaker 0 Good evening. Thank you
Speaker 3 Everyone. Sorry about the technical issues.