April 17, 2014

Todd Drayton, Esq. approached the podium. Mr. Drayton stated that he is the attorney for applicant Jason Alvarez. He said that Mr. Alvarez is not able to attend the meeting this evening, but he is prepared to continue in his absence. Mr. Drayton detailed the application stating that his client is proposing to build a single family house on a vacant lot. He said that he is here appealing to this Board due to a hardship because the lot is undersized. Mr. Drayton said that the engineer will address the issues raised regarding the three variances that are being requested. Mr. Drayton called his first witness. Mark Chisvette approached the podium and was sworn under oath. Mr. Chisvette detailed his educational and professional background as a licensed professional engincer in the State of New Jersey. Chairwoman Gabry accepted Mr. Chisvette as an expert in Professional Engineering. Mr. Chisvette presented page C-1 of the site plan that was submitted to the Board with a revision date of January 30, 2014, Chairwoman Gabry asked to have page C-1 of the site plan marked as Exhibit A-1 for identification. Mr. Chisvette referred to Exhibit A-1 and began detailing the lot. He said that the lot had a house on it at one time but it is now vacant land. Mr. Chisvette said that the lot is fairly steep and that the original dwelling was located very close to the road. He said that they are proposing to build a single family house on the lot but will be moving it back where the slope gets steeper. Mr. Chisvette said that they will also provide parking in the front of the house. Mr. Chisvette said that there is an existing driveway and they will be using the same curb cut. He said that there are three variances associated with this application; one variance is for the disturbance of the steep slope of 25%, one for the height of the retaining wall, which will be five and a half (5.5) fect and the Township ordinance requires it to be no higher than four (4) feet and one variance for the minimum lot area because the lot is 24,560 sq. feet and the Township ordinance requires it 10 be 40,000 sq. feet. Mr. Neuer asked if the height of the retaining wall includes the 3.5’ pipe that they are proposing on top of the wall. Mr. Grygiel said that the fence is set back from the wall and is separate. Mr. Chisvette said that the fence is a wrought iron fence and that the retaining

that they are proposing on top of the wall. Mr. Grygiel said that the fence is set back from the wall and is separate. Mr. Chisvette said that the fence is a wrought iron fence and that the retaining wall is a standard non-mortar block wall. He said that the trees along the retaining wall will remain. Mr. Neuer asked Mr. Chisvette if he has a license as a Professional Planner; he replied no. Mr. Bullock asked Mr. Chisvette when the previous structure on the lot was demolished; he replied he did not know. He said that it was still there in an aerial photograph from 2007. Mr. Drayton said the house was demolished approximately five (5) years ago.