January 8, 2025 Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes

PB-24-15 3135WO, LLC Block: 141 Lot: 1 Zone: B-1 31-35 Harrison Avenue The applicant proposes to expand their printing and embroidery business, Uptown Printing, LLC., by constructing a one-story, 2,130-SF addition to the rear of an existing commercial building. The addition will include a new entry on the western frontage, enclosed by an overhead door, for the purpose of receiving deliveries, and shipping orders. PRESENTATION The attorney for the applicant, Mr. John Dusinberre, stated there is a new condition that was generated by the addition. That is a side yard of 5 feet and 4 inches on the left side of the property where the proposed addition will be located and the slight encroachment of the setback is generated by the need of a 6-foot overhead door for access for the new addition of deliveries and shipping. The applicant responded to the comments form the review board and reduced the size of the opening from an 8-foot door to a 6-foot door which has substantially reduced the request in need for relief. In terms of pre-existing conditions, they have overall side yard that don’t meet the 6-foot requirements on both sides, one is 2 feet 7 in, the other is 5 feet 4 inches which is at the proposed addition. They only have one parking space and it is doing double duty as a driveway and a parking space for Mr. Crespo. They have an existing driveway with 13 feet and 8 inches where 14 feet are required by ordinance, a slight deviation. They have an existing parking space where they are backing directly into the public right of way, which is prohibited by ordinance 25-12.1 F. Final pre-existing condition is a parking space should not be less than 5 feet from an adjacent property and if you count the driveway as a parking space it is closer than 5 feet from the adjacent property line. The applicant, Mr. Crespo, entered on the record, he was sworn under oath. He testified to the following: The business has 3 employees including himself. The hours of operation are 9am-Spm Monday through Friday. The business gets 3 deliveries regularly from UPS, the Post Office, and FedEx. For the most part the 1-hour ordinance that is in front of the building keeps it clear, the worst thing that will happen is they will block the driveway if the delivery trucks need more space. The owner, Mr. Crespo, states the need of the addition of 2,130 square feet is for

s it clear, the worst thing that will happen is they will block the driveway if the delivery trucks need more space. The owner, Mr. Crespo, states the need of the addition of 2,130 square feet is for an improvement into the efficiency for the employees. Currently they have a manual screen printer but they would bring in an automatic printer. This would allow them to do their jobs a lot quicker and with fewer resources. Mr. Crespo also states the addition will help him solidify in keeping his business in West Orange if they were to bring in the automatic printer. Mr. Crespo has had his business for 2 2 years. Employees will do on-street parking and have no trouble with parking. Customers use the 1-hour parking ordinance to keep spaces free in front of the business. There are some trees in the back that are in pretty bad shape and the applicant wants to