July 17, 2014

dated 8/6/03 & 3/6/08 and copies of the Township’s building permit #8427 to build the office building dated 9/19/58 and permit #8972 to build the 2™ story dated 7/16/59. Chairman Buechler asked to have the copies of the certificates of continued occupancy dated 8/6/03 & 3/6/08 and copies of the Township’s building permit #8427 to build the office building dated 9/19/58 and permit #8972 to build the 2™ story dated 7/16/59 marked as Exhibit A-5 for identification. Mr. Vena referred to Exhibit A-5 and stated that he received these documents from the Township of West Orange’s Building Department that show what has been at this location since 1959. He said that this is the only way that he can prove it is a pre-existing non-conforming use. Chairman Buechler stated that these documents do not prove that there has not been abandonment. Mr. Vena said that it is a pre-existing non-conforming use and that these are the only records the Township has in their archives that show that the building was built prior to 1978 asa legal use. He said that a continued certificate of occupancy would not have been issued by the Township’s Construction Official unless it was a legal use. Mr. Vena said that there was a second permit issued by the Township to allow the apartment to be built over the first floor office building. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Vena when the third floor was built; Mr. Vena said that he is assuming that the building permit for the second floor included the entire structure. Mr. Vena presented a copy of a temporary certificate of occupancy issued by the Township in 2013. Chairman Buechler asked to have the copy of the temporary certificate of occupancy issued by the Township on 1/18/13 marked as Exhibit A-6 for identification. Mr. Vena referred to Exhibit A-6 and stated that this building has been the same since it was built. He said that this establishes that it is a pre-existing non-conforming use or the Township would not have issued a temporary certificate of occupancy in 2013. Chairman Buechler stated that none of these documents made reference to the third floor level; he said that it only states it is one apartment. Mr. Vena said it is one apartment on the second and third floor and that they were already issued. building permits by the Township for the renovations. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Vena if the building was occupied or vacant when

nt on the second and third floor and that they were already issued. building permits by the Township for the renovations. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Vena if the building was occupied or vacant when the applicant purchased it in January of 2013; he said vacant. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Vena how long it was vacant before he purchased it. Mr. Vena stated he would like to call the owner, Dr. Paragi, to answer that question. Dr. Prakash Paragi approached the podium and was sworn under oath.