STATE OF NEW JERSEY
						COUNTY OF BERGEN
						BOROUGH OF ELMWOOD PARK
						ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

IN RE:

MATTERS AND DECISIONS RENDERED

ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2017

						MARCH 22, 2017
						Municipal Building
						Elmwood Park, New Jersey 07407
						Commencing at 7:30 pm

B E F O R E:

		THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF ELMWOOD PARK.

PRESENT:

			JAMES GOLEMBISKI, Chairman
			DEBORAH ALVAREZ, Member
			ANGELO PANETTA, Member
			DONALD INGRASSELINO, Member
			JEFFREY FREITAG, Member
			FRANK DELLIGATTI, Member
			JOSEPH BENIAMINI, Member
			NICOLE OGROSSO, Bd. Engineer
			MATTHEW DE MARIA, ESQ., Bd. Atty.

JOSEPH NATALE, C.S.R.
30 Cedar Island Drive
Brick, New Jersey 08723
(732)477‑6710
I N D E X

APPLICANT			DISPOSITION				PAGE

AGENDA:

THE ARC OF BERGEN
AND PASSAIC COUNTIES,
INC. (A17‑001)		CARRIED					3

DEVANAND RAMPERSAD
(A17‑004)			GRANTED					4

CZESLAW KWASNIK and
KINGA KWASNIK
(A17‑005)			GRANTED					4

RESOLUTIONS:

WOJCIECH LAPINSKI
(A17‑002)									3

SLAWOMIR and
AGATA PUZIO
(A17‑003)									3

		THE CHAIRMAN: Good evening, this is the regularly scheduled meeting of the Elmwood Park Zoning Board of Adjustment called to order.
		Roll call vote: Present were Members Panetta, Ingrasselino, Freitag, Alvarez, Delligatti, Golembiski and Beniamini (arrived late); Mr. Baglieri was absent.  

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		Mr. Ingrasselino made a motion to accept the minutes of the February 22, 2017 meeting, seconded by Mr. Freitag.
		Roll call vote: All voted in favor (excluding Mr. Beniamini).

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		Mr. Ingrasselino made a motion to accept the Resolution of A17‑002 (LAPINSKI), seconded by Mr. Freitag.
		Roll call vote: All voted in favor (excluding Mr. Beniamini).

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		Mr. Ingrasselino made a motion to accept the Resolution in the matter of A17‑003 (PUZIO), seconded by Ms. Alvarez.
		Roll call vote: All voted in favor (excluding Mr. Beniamini).

					****

THE ARC OF BERGEN AND
PASSAIC COUNTIES, INC.
(A17‑001)						(CARRIED)
PREMISES AFFECTED: 67 Echo Place, Block 1802, Lot 28.
PURPOSE: Variance for deck setback, side yard setback, combined side yard setback and lot coverage.

		The Chairman read into the record a letter the Board is in receipt of regarding this application. The Arc is requesting an adjournment of this matter to the regular meeting of April 26, 2017.
		Ms. Alvarez made a motion to approve the request, without prejudice, seconded by Mr. Freitag.
		Roll call vote: All voted in favor (excluding Mr. Beniamini).

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CZESLAW AND KINGA
KWASNIK (A17‑005)				(GRANTED)
PREMISES AFFECTED: 16‑18 Obal Avenue, Block 1513, Lot 3.
PURPOSE: Variance for front yard setback.

		THOMAS DUCH, ESQ. Appeared on behalf of the applicants.
		KINGA KWASNIK,  2 Roth Street, Elmwood Park, New Jersey, sworn.

		Mr. Duch indicated this involves two brothers and their wives that are applying to improve this house. It is currently a one‑family home with an inadequate front yard under current Elmwood Park law. They are seeking to add a second story addition to the first floor and expand the back so there is a first and second floor in the back. The garage/driveway will not be changed.
		Mr. Duch stated they are seeking a variance for the front yard. The home will be twenty‑four and a half feet high.
		Ms. Kwasnik testified she and her husband, brother‑in‑law and sister‑in‑law own the house and intend to reside here; one family on the left side and one family on the right side. Ms. Kwasnik testified they will comply with the Borough Engineer's letter.

		At this time, the record notes the appearance of Joseph Beniamini.

		After further discussion and questioning by the Board, the Chairman opened the meeting to the public. Hearing no one, the Chairman closed the public portion.  		Mr. Ingrasselino made a motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Freitag.
		Roll call vote: All voted in favor; Mr. Beniamini abstained.  

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DEVANAND RAMPERSAD (A17‑004)			(GRANTED)
PREMISES AFFECTED: 42 13th Avenue, Block 306, Lot 10.
PURPOSE: Variance for front yard,single side yard and deck setback.

		DEVANAND RAMPERSAD, 42 13th Avenue, Elmwood Park, New Jersey, sworn.
		JACOB SOLOMON, Architect, 14‑25 Plaza Road, Fair Lawn, New Jersey, sworn.

		Mr. Rampersad testified he is the owner/managing member of Dream Homes Development Group, LLC. 
		Mr. Solomon was qualified and testified as a licensed architect in the State of New Jersey.

		Mr. Rampersad testified he acquired the house 1/30/17 and had previously lived in Elmwood Park for 17 years and now resides in Fair Lawn. He testified the subject property has been abandoned for approximately four years and is an eyesore that he would like to rehab. He testified the house is small and they want to expand the existing dormers and make it more livable by expanding the bedrooms and bathrooms. They will also put in a new kitchen and finish everything with professional grade fixtures.
		Mr. Solomon described the property and home in its current condition. He testified the hardship is the narrowness of the lot. The deck on the sideyard will align with the side of the house at a five‑foot setback. The house will have two and a half baths instead of one with a new kitchen, laundry room and upgraded finishes, bringing the house up to energy code. The gutters will remain the same. They are also proposing siding, a new porch roof and general site improvements.
		Mr. Solomon testified they agree with everything in Boswell's report.
		After further questioning and discussion by the Board, the Chairman opened the meeting to the public. Hearing no one, the Chairman closed the public portion. 
		Mr. Ingrasselino made a motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Freitag.
		Roll call vote: All voted in favor.				

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		There being no further business, all voted in favor of adjournment.

						BOARD SECRETARY