24 06 13 Review 2

JOHN H. ALLGAIR, PE, PP, LS (1983-2001) DAVID J. SAMUEL, PE, PP, CME JOHN J. STEFANI, PE, LS, PP, CME JAY B. CORNELL, PE, PP, CME MICHAEL J. MeCLELLAND, PE, PP, CME GREGORY R. VALESI, PE, PP, CME To: Date: Re: cc: MEMORANDUM DOUGLAS ROHMEYER, PE, CFM, CME From: TIM W. GILLEN, PE, PP, CME (1991-2019) BRUCE M. KOCH, PE, PP, CME LOUIS J. PLOSKONKA, PE, CME TREVOR J. TAYLOR, PE, PP, CME BEHRAM TURAN, PE, LSRP LAURA J. NEUMANN, PE, PP. ROBERT J. RUSSO, PE, PP, CME Chairman and Members of the i lillie West Orange Zoning Board John J. Hess, PE, PP, CME N Zoning Board Engineer June 13, 2024 Application No. ZB-23-11 Jose De Oliveira Bulk Variance - Review #2 31 Bradford Avenue Block 55.06, Lot 1.01 Our File: VWRZ0055.01 George Wheatle Williams, PP - Zoning Board Planner Zayibeth Carballo, PE, PLS, PP - Municipal Engineer Steven K. Warner, Esq. — Zoning Board Attorney Jose De Oliveira - Applicant Joseph P. Dell’italia, Esq. — Applicant’s Attorney Mirza Baig, PE — Applicant's Engineer Daniel E. Parker, PLS —- Applicant’s Surveyor e Our office has received for review the following documents which were submitted in support of the above referenced application for Preliminary & Final Site Plan approval with ‘C’ and ‘D’ Variances: In addition to the above, our office previously received the following information as part of the original submission for this application: ‘S:\West OrangelZoning BoardiVWRZ0085 01 - Jose De Cliveira\24-06-13 Review #2 docx \ CONSULTING AND MUNICIPAL ENGINEERS y) 849 W. BAY AVENUE, SUITE 16 « BARNEGAT, NEW JERSEY 08005 » (732) 410-2650 e FAX: (609) 698-1680 A set of unsigned plans (3 sheets) entitled “Block Retaining Wall with Geogrid” prepared by KSI Engineering, PC of Jersey City, New Jersey and bearing a latest revision date of April 24, 2024. A copy of an executed Retaining Wall Easement between Joel Thomas Newman and Ashley Newman (Grantor) and Jose Marcos De Oliveira and Jennifer De Oliveira (Grantee). A copy of a June 7, 2024 letter from Mirza K. Baig, PE with KS! Engineering, PC to Mr. Jose m. De Oliveira which addresses the existing grading of the site. A set of 8 photographs which show views of the side and rear yards post retaining wall installation. A print of a Survey of Property (1 sheet) prepared by Daniel E. Parker, PLS with Parker Engineering & Surveying PC of Somerville, New Jersey dated April 19,

ar yards post retaining wall installation. A print of a Survey of Property (1 sheet) prepared by Daniel E. Parker, PLS with Parker Engineering & Surveying PC of Somerville, New Jersey dated April 19, 2023.

Ke, ASSOCIATES Chairman and Members of the West Orange Township Zoning Board June 13, 2024 Re: Jose De Oliveira (ZB-23-11) Our File No. VWRZ0055.01 Bulk Variance - Review #2 Page 2 e Acompleted Application Form. e A statement entitled “Proposal” which describes the work that is proposed, the reasons for the proposed work and the variance that is required for the proposed work. e A statement entitled "Reasons for Relief’ which sets forth the reasons why the requested variance should be granted. e A Verification of Taxes & Sewer Charges Paid from the Office of the Tax Collector dated September 21, 2023 which states that the taxes on Bock 55.06, Lot 1.01 are paid until October 31, 2023 and the 2023 sewer charges are paid in full. « A Buffer Report which lists the owners of property within 200 ft of Block 55.06, Lot 1.01 prepared by the Office of the Assessor dated September 20, 2023. e A set of 9 photographs which show pre-construction and post-construction photographs of the retaining wall. We have reviewed the information submitted in support of this application and offer the following comments: A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The property in question is a nearly rectangular tract located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Northfield Avenue and Bradford Terrace. It has an area of 10,995.93 sf or approximately 0.252 acres and is located in the R-5 Zoning District. The property in question is currently occupied by a 2-story single family residential dwelling. Retaining walls currently exist on the northerly and easterly sides of the property. It is our understanding that the Applicant recently replaced the existing retaining walls on the northerly and easterly sides of the property. The Applicant is now seeking variance approval to allow the new retaining walls, which exceed 6 ft in height, to remain. B. DESIGN COMMENTS 4. The Block Retaining Wall with Geogrid plans are unsigned and unsealed. Therefore, it remains for the Applicant to submit signed and sealed plans to the Board. 2. It remains for sheet C01 of the plans to be revised to show the proposed setbacks from the retaining walls to the property lines. Where encroachments exist, the magnitude of the encroachment should be dimensioned. 3. The Plan view on sheet C-01 shows a northeast retaining wall and a southwest retaining wall. However, sheet C-03 shows the elevations of the upper and

de of the encroachment should be dimensioned. 3. The Plan view on sheet C-01 shows a northeast retaining wall and a southwest retaining wall. However, sheet C-03 shows the elevations of the upper and lower southeast retaining wall. Sheet C-03 should be revised to show the upper and lower walls are part of the southwest retaining wall. §:\West Orange\Zoning Board\VWRZ0055.01 - Jose De Oliveira\24-06-13 Review #2 docx

ASSOCIATES Chairman and Members of the West Orange Township Zoning Board June 13, 2024 Re: Jose De Oliveira (ZB-23-11) Our File No. VWRZ0055.01 Bulk Variance - Review #2 Page 3 4. It shows on sheet C01 that the lower retaining wall encroaches onto adjoining lot 2.01, 10. 11. 12. block 55.06. The applicant has submitted a copy of an executed Retaining Wall Easement which permits the existing encroachment to remain. The Applicant should address the Board regarding their plans to record this easement in the Essex County Clerk's office. Section 25-8.4 of the Township Code stipulates that solid walls not higher than 6 ft are permitted in the rear yard and on the side property line up to the rear line of the Applicant's house. We note that the maximum height of the northeast retaining wall will be 11’-0”. It shows on sheet C-01 that an upper retaining wall and a lower retaining wall are proposed along the common property line with adjoining lot 2.01. The upper wall will be setback approximately 4 ft from the lower wall. The lower wall will vary in height from 4’-7” to 6’- 3” while the upper wall will vary in height from 0’ to 6’-9”. It shows on the Northeast Wall Elevation on sheet C-01 that the northeast retaining wall will have a maximum height of approximately 11’. We note that the Property Survey shows that the existing wall had a maximum height of 9’-6". The Applicant should address the Board to clarify why the new wall is higher than the existing wall. Construction Note #1 on sheet C-02 lists the soil parameters that were used in the design of the retaining walls. The Applicant should address the Board to clarify if a geotechnical investigation has been performed to verify the soil parameters shown on the plan. Construction Note #5 states that weep holes have been provided for drainage. The Applicant must demonstrate to the Board that the drainage discharge will not negatively impact the adjoining properties. Construction Note #10 states that a qualified engineer or technician shall supervise the wall construction to verify field and site soil conditions. The Applicant should address the Board regarding their plans to comply with this recommendation. Construction Note #12 states that the site grading re-routes surface water around and away from the wall. Therefore, it remains for the plans to be revised to show the proposed grading at the

dation. Construction Note #12 states that the site grading re-routes surface water around and away from the wall. Therefore, it remains for the plans to be revised to show the proposed grading at the site. The Northeast Wall Elevation on sheet C-01 shows that a wood batten fence is proposed along the top of the wall. The Applicant should address the Board to confirm that a safety fence will also be installed along both the lower level and the upper level of the southwest retaining wall. The Applicant is hereby advised that any revised plans or other documents submitted to the Board should be accompanied by a cover letter which addresses each of the comments in this review letter and also details any other changes that have been made to the plans as these may not be readily apparent. S:\West OrangelZoning Boarc\VWRZ0055.01 - Jose De Oliveira\24-06-13 Review #2.docx