November 17, 2016

Vice Chairman Buechler asked Louis Zamora if they did all of this work after the stop work order; he said yes. Louis Zamora said that he received a document from the Construction Official but they did not receive an ‘orange stop work order sticker” that is placed on the house. Vice Chairman Buechler asked Louis Zamora if he knew that they had to stop work after the Township came; he said no. Vice Chairman Buechler addressed Louis and Victor Zamora stating that they did not bring their professional to testify they did not bring any documents as evidence. He said that the Board does not know how they can help them because they have no one to testify that the foundation is safe and structurally sound. Vice Chairman Buechler said that the Board does not know if what is inside the walls is safe because they did not get any licensed professionals to do the work. He said that the Township’s building inspectors will probably go in and tear out the walls of the structure to make sure that the work was done properly. Mr. Steinhart stated that he also has concerns regarding the work that was done but questioned whether this is in the Board’s purview to consider the unlawful construction. Vice Chairman Buechler stated that the construction was done illegally and against the Township ordinance and the New Jersey State Building Code. He said that even after the applicant received the stop work order they ripped out a slab of the foundation and replaced the footings without inspections. Chairman Neuer stated that if the Board does grant the variances, the Township building department will determine whether they have to rip open the walls and if the footings will have to come out. Mr. Schwarzbaum stated that there are two issues here; he said the first issue is that they require two variances and the second issue is the building issue. He said that if the Board does approve the variances it becomes a Building Department issue. Chairman Neuer asked Louis Zamora if there was any reason why the addition was built on the side of the house and not on the back of the house; he said that the other side of the house has a driveway and that was the only choice they had to build the addition. Mr. Steinhart stated that the applicant has not provided testimony to justify the variances. Chairman Neuer explained to the applicant that they have the burden to justify why they need

he addition. Mr. Steinhart stated that the applicant has not provided testimony to justify the variances. Chairman Neuer explained to the applicant that they have the burden to justify why they need the variances and they did not do that. He said that even the architectural drawings were inaccurate.