Transcript for Piscataway Zoning meeting on June 26 2025
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Jun 26 2025 · Zoning
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Speaker 0This 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 1Okay, Mr. Weisman, while she's doing that, I'll attempt to call the role.
Speaker 0Thank you.
Speaker 1Mr. Weisman.
Speaker 0Here.
Speaker 1Mr. Tillery? Here. Mr. Patel? Here. Mr. Blum. Mr. Oria?
Speaker 0Here.
Speaker 1Mr. Mitterando? Here. Mr. Ali? Here. Chairman Cahill. You have a quorum? You may proceed.
Speaker 0Thank you. Will, I'm here. Hika.
Speaker 1Hey, dka. Hardy
Speaker 0Heyah. 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 1And to the republic,
Speaker 0Which,
Speaker 1Which stands? Nation,
Speaker 0Nation Justice, justice for all the cane. Are there any changes to tonight's agenda?
Speaker 1Yes, 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 0Thank 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 1Is Alan Solan present? Yes. Present. Did I pronounce that correctly? Good enough.
Speaker 1Please 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 1We 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 0Okay. Let you know this is pretty standard. Let's, Jonathan, do you have any comments on this?
Speaker 2Yes. 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 1So, 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 0Okay. 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 3No. One chairman.
Speaker 0Thank 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 3Mr. Weisman?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 1Yes. Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Blount? He's not here. I missed roll call Mr. Heka?
Speaker 1Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Cahill
Speaker 1Not 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 4Thank you.
Speaker 0Moving on to item number 9 25 dash CB dash three four V. Har Meza, are you here? Yes.
Speaker 1Har Meza present?
Speaker 4Yes.
Speaker 1Okay. 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 4Yes.
Speaker 1Your name and address please?
Speaker 4Arun Meza 600 Park Avenue, Pisca, New Jersey.
Speaker 1Okay. You can put your hand down. Explain to the board what you'd like to do here.
Speaker 4Actually, Eng engineer will provide testimony for, for, for my
Speaker 1Engineer
Speaker 4Paul Fletcher. Paul, we got Paul Fletcher,
Speaker 1I need to swear you in. Could you raise your right hand?
Speaker 5Yes.
Speaker 1Testimony you're about to give should be the truth.
Speaker 5Yes it is.
Speaker 1Okay. And your name and address please. It's
Speaker 5Paul Fletcher, 57 West Pond Road in Hope Lawn, New Jersey.
Speaker 1And Mr. Fletcher, you've appeared before this board on prior occasions as an engineer.
Speaker 5Actually, I'm appearing tonight as a planner.
Speaker 1As a planner. And you've appeared before this board? Previously?
Speaker 5I have.
Speaker 1Okay. I believe the board can accept his qualifications.
Speaker 5Thank you. If I could ask, there's no button to turn on video so you, I don't think you can see me.
Speaker 1I cannot see you.
Speaker 5Is that
Speaker 3Something Paul, did you come, you, Paul you came in as an attendee?
Speaker 5I came in using the,
Speaker 3Because I did not send you a link. I did not know you were coming on tonight.
Speaker 5I just use the, I usually just type in the, the, the ID number and then then
Speaker 3What, what, what name did you come in under so we can make you a participant?
Speaker 5Well, I'm coming in on my phone. It should say Paul Fletcher.
Speaker 3That'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 5Link? 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 3Yeah, 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 1Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this is a fairly simple application. Perhaps he can just describe the, what the applicant wants
Speaker 5That 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 6Alright.
Speaker 3Hey, Mr. Fletcher should be able to get on now. There's something wrong with the laptop. I had to use another computer.
Speaker 5I'm trying to get on. I dunno if you can see me yet.
Speaker 6No, we cannot.
Speaker 5No, 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 0Can, can we hear our engineer's report? Would that help John? Jonathan?
Speaker 2Yes. 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 5Certainly, I believe the video's working now. Yes, it is
Speaker 2Following water. Beautiful.
Speaker 5Yes 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 5Going 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 5With 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 2Okay.
Speaker 5For those reasons, I think the board has the authority and I would request respectfully that they approve this application.
Speaker 2I'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 5Yes.
Speaker 2And, 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 5Understood. Understood.
Speaker 2I don't have any other questions for Mr. Fletcher. I'm, I'm satisfied. Thank you.
Speaker 0Thank 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 3No. One Chairman.
Speaker 0Thank 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 3Mr. Weisman?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Yes. Mr. Tillery? Yes. Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Yes. Mr. Regio?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Heka?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr.
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1Your application's been approved. We'll memorialize this at our next meeting and send it to you.
Speaker 2Thank
Speaker 5You very much.
Speaker 0Have a good night. And moving on to number 10. That's 25 dash ZB dash three oh V. Mr. Amva Roy.
Speaker 1Is Amva Roy present?
Speaker 8Yes, I'm present here.
Speaker 1Okay. 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 8Whatever you say. I'll speak the truth.
Speaker 1Thank you. Give us your name and address please.
Speaker 89 7 3 East Lincoln Avenue, ske. New year 0 8 8 5 4.
Speaker 1And your name?
Speaker 8Amva Roy.
Speaker 1Okay. Mr. Roy, could you explain to the board why board why you're here?
Speaker 8Yeah. 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 1Okay. 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 0Chairman. Thank you. Jonathan, you have any comments on this?
Speaker 2We are requesting a landscape buffer along East Lincoln Avenue. Does the applicant agree to that?
Speaker 8Yes.
Speaker 2Okay. No further questions. Thank you. Thank
Speaker 0You. 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 3No. Chairman.
Speaker 0Thank 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 3Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Yes. Why they Mr. Patel? Yes. Yes. Mr. Reggio?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Hica?
Speaker 8Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Weissman?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 1Your 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 8Thank you.
Speaker 0Have a good night. Thank you. Moving on to number 11. That's, I can
Speaker 8Drop up. I can drop up. Yes.
Speaker 0Yes,
Speaker 3Yes
Speaker 8Sir. Okay. Thank you very much.
Speaker 0Moving on to number 1125 dash ZB dash 42 v. Manishh Patel
Speaker 1Is Manishh Patel present. Manishh Patel, are you present?
Speaker 9Yes. Yes. Sorry.
Speaker 1Okay, 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 9Yes.
Speaker 1Your name and address please?
Speaker 9Manis Patel Piscataway 56 Rachel Terrace.
Speaker 1Thank you. Could you explain to the board why you're here?
Speaker 9Yeah. Let me, my daughter explain a little better then.
Speaker 1Okay. 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 10Mayor Patel at 56 Rachel Terrace, Pisca, New Jersey.
Speaker 1Thank you. Speak up and explain to the board what your family would like to do.
Speaker 10Good 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 10So 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 1Mr. Weisman, you may wanna check with Mr. Ms. Rahi.
Speaker 2Yes, 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 10They're not on the call, no.
Speaker 2Okay. 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 10It'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 2Okay. 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 0So 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 2I'm just trying, the intention would be, the intention would be for neighbors looking, looking up into the, into the deck? Yes.
Speaker 0Okay. Thank you. That's acceptable
Speaker 2Mr. 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 0Okay. This acceptable Mr. Patel?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 0Okay. 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 3No. One chairman.
Speaker 0Thank 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 2Thank
Speaker 0You. Will the clerk please take the roll?
Speaker 3Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 3Yes. Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Hika? Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Yes. Mr. Ellie? Yes. And Chairman Weissman?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 1Your 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 0Have a good night.
Speaker 3Goodnight.
Speaker 0Moving on to item number 1525 dash ZB dash 11 V. It's Parkway Plastics.
Speaker 2Good 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 2Past 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 2The 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 2With that I have, if the board has no questions of me, I'd like to introduce our first witness.
Speaker 1Is that Mr. Rowan?
Speaker 2That is Mr. Rowan.
Speaker 1Mr. Rowan, can you hear me?
Speaker 11Yes, I can. Good evening.
Speaker 1I 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 11Yes.
Speaker 1Your name and address please?
Speaker 11Ned Rowan. My full name is Edward Rowan, 55 West Lane, Madison, New Jersey. Thank
Speaker 1You. Go ahead Mr. Psad.
Speaker 2Thank 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 11Director of Operations
Speaker 2And
Speaker 11Business. Sorry,
Speaker 2Go ahead. Okay, so the, you're the director of operations and this is a family owned business, correct?
Speaker 11Correct. It was founded approximately 1953 by my grandfather. Great.
Speaker 2Can you please tell the board why we are here tonight seeking a use variance for these containers?
Speaker 11We 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 2Okay. 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 11That's correct. Sorry, I had to step away to close a door. I apologize.
Speaker 2No 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 11Well 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 2Good. And there are a number of employees that you have at your operation currently that are, that are residents of Piscataway Township, correct?
Speaker 11Yes, 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 2Okay, understood. Can you please explain to the board the hours of operation?
Speaker 11The 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 2And how many employees do you have on site?
Speaker 11It does vary between 35 and say I think at our absolute peak it was 47.
Speaker 2It's 47 employees but not all on site at the same time within three shift?
Speaker 11That'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 2Understood. Can you please explain what the purpose of the containers are on site?
Speaker 11It's to store, generally speaking, finished good inventory.
Speaker 2So these products, these are products that are already manufactured and kept in the containers to be shipped?
Speaker 11That's correct.
Speaker 2And what types of products do you manufacture?
Speaker 11We manufacture plastic containers, plastic jars, plastic caps.
Speaker 2And these vary in shape sizes and colors depending on inventory and customer needs, correct?
Speaker 11That'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 2Understood. 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 11Yes, that's correct.
Speaker 2Are all the containers on your site currently being utilized? Yes,
Speaker 11They are.
Speaker 2And how do you know what's in each container?
Speaker 11We have a detailed inventory list with specific mins and maxes. So, and specific locations.
Speaker 2So 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 11Yes, 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 2So in that process you removed approximately 25 containers, I believe? Correct.
Speaker 11It might be 35, 35
Speaker 2Containers. 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 11No.
Speaker 2Currently how the site is, how are the containers screened from view from the neighboring properties?
Speaker 11We have a six foot chain link slatted fence
Speaker 2And the chain link flats, they're also painted
Speaker 11The, 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 2Know, and that's to reduce the visibility through the slats, if any?
Speaker 11Yes.
Speaker 2Understood. And there are some trees along the eastern property line, is that correct?
Speaker 11That's correct.
Speaker 2Okay. 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 11That's correct.
Speaker 2And 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 11That's correct, yes I am
Speaker 2And eight, nine and 10 will be removed from the site.
Speaker 11That's my proposal.
Speaker 1Okay. 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 2Yes, will do.
Speaker 1Thank you.
Speaker 2So just to reiterate, eight, nine and 10 are going to be removed and replaced with one, two, and three, correct?
Speaker 11Correct.
Speaker 2Additionally, item containers numbered 11 through 17 will be reduced to 20 foot containers, correct?
Speaker 11Yes, 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 2And those containers are the containers that are the most violative of the side yard setback, correct?
Speaker 11That's correct.
Speaker 2And 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 11Yes, we're willing to help make it more pleasant to the shopping center if that's what the town would like.
Speaker 2And 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 11Yes, I am.
Speaker 2To 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 11I 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 2Okay. 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 11That's also used for inventory,
Speaker 2Storage 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 11We use that for printing and other types of production related processes.
Speaker 2Okay. And that container that is used for production, that is sprinkler as well?
Speaker 11Yes, that's correct.
Speaker 2And 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 11It, 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 2And it also will put your employees out of a job for UN until the renovations are completed, is that correct?
Speaker 11Correct.
Speaker 2To 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 11Sorry. Yes, we are.
Speaker 2And for security around the site, can you explain what kind of security you have currently for the site?
Speaker 11I mean, we have several camera systems
Speaker 2That contains about 39 cameras, is that correct?
Speaker 1139 cameras? That's correct.
Speaker 2And the lighting around the site is also motion sensor lighting, is that correct?
Speaker 11Yes, 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 2Understood. 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 11It 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 2Yeah, 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 11I 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 2Okay. 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 12Mr 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 11Yes, it does, but we would be more than happy to remove that
Speaker 12Because it wasn't mentioned and I think it should be,
Speaker 11I apologize for that.
Speaker 12And 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 2Thank you John.
Speaker 12Sorry to interrupt.
Speaker 0That's okay, John, thank you.
Speaker 2If the, excuse me if the board has no further question. Oh,
Speaker 12I'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 0Thank you. John,
Speaker 2If I may I further witnesses? Call them you.
Speaker 1If there are no further questions, you can call Mr. Higgins.
Speaker 2Thank you Mr. Higgins, if you can turn on your mic and your camera and be sworn in by the board please.
Speaker 14Yep. I think they're both on.
Speaker 1Do you swear the testimony you're about to give should be the truth?
Speaker 14I do.
Speaker 1Your name and address please.
Speaker 14James W. Higgins, H-I-G-G-I-N-S 14 Tilton Drive, ocean, New Jersey.
Speaker 1Mr. Higgins has been accepted as a planner before this board on numerous prior occasions
Speaker 14And my license is still current.
Speaker 0Thank you.
Speaker 2Proceed. 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 14Well 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 2So
Speaker 13You didn't have to go to motor vehicle
Speaker 14The,
Speaker 13Or 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 0Bill. Can you mute the, your
Speaker 14Yeah, I can't hear you.
Speaker 0I was asking Bill to, to
Speaker 13The registration.
Speaker 0Mute your phone bill. Please mute your mic
Speaker 3Bill, please mute yourself,
Speaker 13But 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 0I apologize for the interruption here. We're having problems. Oh, there we go. Okay. We can continue.
Speaker 14Yeah. 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 14I 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 14The 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 2Mr. 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 14I 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 2It's not, and that's be, and that's because of a drainage easement that's existing. There's,
Speaker 14There'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 2Understood. I have no further questions for Mr. Higgins. If the board has any questions,
Speaker 0Anyone on the board have any questions? No. No. We nothing from the board. Do you have anyone else?
Speaker 2No, Mr. Higgins is the, the final witness that we have tonight. Okay.
Speaker 0Jonathan, do you have any things you'd like to add at this point?
Speaker 2Yes, 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 1Mr. 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 2It 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 11Minus 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 1And so we'll be getting rid
Speaker 11Of net 10.
Speaker 2What
Speaker 1Would the number
Speaker 2We're producing?
Speaker 11Yeah, net reduction of 10.
Speaker 1And what would the, the final total number be after you take away 10 75
Speaker 11And I would've no problems with the deed restrictions requested.
Speaker 1I 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 11That'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 1That's all that I have. Mr. Chairman, I think I can address Mr. Mizrahi's comments with the, the applicant's attorney.
Speaker 0Very good. Mr. Chadwick, did you have anything you want to
Speaker 12Other than the removal of the barbed wire and the enhanced landscaping, which I've already said.
Speaker 0Okay. 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 3No. No one. Chairman,
Speaker 0Thank 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 3Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 11Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Patel? Yes. Yes. Mr. Regio?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Heka?
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 3Yes. Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Yes. And Chairman Weiss?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 1Your 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 2Understood. Thank you counsel and thank you board chair and
Speaker 0Thank 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 1Did we hear from the re the applicant today?
Speaker 3No, we have not. Mr. Keneally and he was sent to Zoom link also.
Speaker 1Okay. 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 0I will make that motion. I'll second it. Thank you.
Speaker 1We'll need a roll call on that. Thank you.
Speaker 3Mr. Tillery?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Patel? Yes. Mr. Regio? Yes. Mr. Heka?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 3Mr. Mitterando? Yes. Mr. Ley? Yes. And Chairman Weisman?
Speaker 0Yes.
Speaker 1Thank you.
Speaker 0Okay, moving on. Number item number 17, adoption of resolution from the regular meeting of June 12th, 2025.
Speaker 1First 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 0Thank 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 1Everyone. Everyone have a good,
Speaker 0Good evening. Thank you
Speaker 3Everyone. Sorry about the technical issues.