UPPER TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 15, 2003
The regular meeting of the Upper Township Zoning Board was held at the Township Hall, 2100 Tuckahoe Road, Petersburg, New Jersey at 7:30 p.m. The Chairman advised of the meetings compliance with the Open Public Meeting Notice. Everyone saluted the flag.
Marshall Behr Ted Klepac
Frank Conrad Matthew Unsworth
William Keaveney Paul Casaccio
Also in attendance were Dean Marcolongo, Board Solicitor; Paul Dietrich, Board Engineer; Shelley Lea, Board Secretary.
A motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Klepac, seconded by Mr. Unsworth, and approved.
The following applications have been tabled until May 8, 2003. The applicants have agreed to waive the time in which the board has to act on these applications. No further notice will be required.
Applicant requires a variance for no improved road frontage (Section 40:55D35 & 36) to construct a single family dwelling off of Washington Avenue, Steelmantown.
Jack Lynch, Contract Purchaser and Dante Guzzi, Professional Engineer, were sworn in.
Mr. Lynch testified that this is a landlocked parcel. The owner of Lot 3 has agreed to give him an easement through his property to access the subject lot. He has received a Certificate of Filing from the N.J. Pineland Commission. The proposed road will be able to handle emergency equipment. The plans have been sent to the fire company for their review. There are wetlands on the property.
Mr. Guzzi testified that there is an existing drive from Washington Avenue to the property, however it crosses two lots. They would rather the easement only be on one property. They have applied for a permit for a small wetlands crossing to construct a new driveway.
Mr. Dietrich stated that the blocks and lots shown on the plan are not correct. He believes that the construction of a dwelling on this property will not infringe on future circulation or traffic patterns. There are no paper streets or unimproved streets in the area that would be impacted. This is a unique situation.
The meeting was open to the public. Hearing no response the meeting returned to the board for finding of facts.
MR. BEHR – Jack Lynch is requesting a variance to construct a dwelling on a landlocked parcel in Steelmantown. There are a high percentage of wetlands on the property. The property is 78 acres. Washington Avenue is the closest road. The owner of Lot 3, Block 246, is also the owner of Lot 47. The applicant has submitted an agreement of sale. A 50 ft. easement will be provided through Lot 3. Plans were sent to the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company. The applicant proposes to improve the existing roadway to 15 ft. wide with a base that is adequate to support emergency vehicles. He has received approval from the Pinelands Commission. Improving the property will bring revenue to the township.
MR. UNSWORTH – They are creating a turn around near the house that is sufficient for emergency vehicles.
MR. KEAVENEY – There are no other paper streets. Washington Avenue is a County road. There would not be much traffic generated. There was no public.
MR. CONRAD – Further development on the property would not be possible due to the wetlands on the property.
MR. CASACCIO – The unique shape of the lot and the wetlands on the property would make the lot totally useless if the variance is not granted.
A motion was made by Mr. Unsworth and seconded by Mr. Keaveney, to grant the variance with the standard conditions and that an easement is submitted for the review and approval of the Board Solicitor. Those in favor: Behr, Conrad, Keaveney, Klepac, Unsworth, Casaccio.
A motion to adopt the above resolution was made by Mr. Klepac, seconded by Mr. Unsworth, and approved. Abstain: Behr.
A motion to adopt the above resolution was made by Mr. Klepac, seconded by Mr. Keaveney, and approved. Abstain: Behr.
A motion to adopt the above resolution was made by Mr. Klepac, seconded by Mr. Unsworth, and approved. Abstain: Behr.
A motion to adopt the above resolution was made by Mr. Klepac, seconded by Mr. Unsworth, and approved. Abstain: Behr.
A motion to approve the bills was made by Mr. Klepac, seconded by Mr. Behr, and approved.
A motion to go into closed session to discuss pending litigation was made by Mr. Unsworth, seconded by Mr. Behr, and approved.
The board went back onto the record. A motion to accept the procedures discussed during closed session and to hold a meeting May 1, 2003 to discuss the previously approved application for Scott Development, Inc., was made by Mr. Behr, seconded by Mr. Keaveney, and approved.
The following is a list of recommended changes to be forwarded to the Planning Board and the Township Committee.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Unsworth, seconded by Mr. Keaveney, and approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Submitted by,
Shelley Lea
Board Secretary