April 19, 2018

wheel chair, he is not verbal and has a feeding tube. She said that Ethan goes to a special school for children with cerebral palsy. Ms. Durkin stated that Ethan also has two younger brothers living in this house and that it was chosen for this family because of the close proximity to the schools that all of the children will be attending. Ms. Durkin stated that the property is required to be handicap accessible due to Ethan being confined to a wheelchair. They are seeking two (2) “c” variances for front and side yard setbacks because they are required to have two (2) means of egress so this is why they are proposing handicap ramps from the front and side door. Ms. Durkin stated that what is being proposed is the only alternative that they can come up with that is the least intrusive. Ms. Durkin stated that the architect who designed the ramps will testify at this meeting and explain why the ramps were designed as such. Chairman Buechler stated that Mr. Schwarzbaum sits on the West Orange Board of Education and asked Ms. Beirne if he should be recused from hearing this application; Ms. Beirne stated that none of the schools are within 200’ of the property so Mr. Schwarzbaum does not have to recuse himself. Ms. Durkin stated that Ethan and his mother were going to attend the meeting this evening but unfortunately Ethan had pneumonia last week and his mother was concerned about bringing Ethan out in this weather. Ms. Durkin called her first witness. Kevin Pellon, architect for the applicant, approached the podium and was sworn under oath. He stated that DSB Plus is his architectural firm and that he is a licensed architect in the State of New Jersey. Mr. Pellon stated that he designed the two wheelchair ramps being proposed. Chairman Buechler accepted Mr. Pellon as an expert in architecture. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Pellon if there have been any modifications to the plans that were submitted to the Board; he replied no. Mr. Pellon presented Sheet A-100 of the construction plan dated 3/16/18 that was marked as Exhibit A-1 for identification. Mr. Pellon referred to Exhibit A-1 and detailed the dimensions and placement of the wheelchair ramps being proposed in the front and side yard of the house and why they were designed as such. He said that the side yard ramp was designed to match the existing deck in the rear of the house. Mr. Neuer asked Mr.

posed in the front and side yard of the house and why they were designed as such. He said that the side yard ramp was designed to match the existing deck in the rear of the house. Mr. Neuer asked Mr. Pellon if he was consulted by the bank before the property was purchased; he replied no.