Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clifton zoning board approves revised house expansion after applicant removes height and parking variances
Summary
The Clifton Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 7 approved revised plans for a home owned by Shishon Klein that removed a requested height variance and a parking variance; side-yard and lot-coverage variances remain and a driveway setback variance was added and re-noticed.
The Clifton Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 7 approved revised plans for a home owned by Shishon Klein after the applicant removed a requested height variance and a parking variance, board minutes show.
Dominic Iannarella, attorney for the applicant, told the board the project had been revised “at the urging and recommendation of the board” to eliminate the height variance and to create two on-site parking spaces by widening the front driveway. Architect Joseph Donato said the team lowered the building height to 30 feet and that the top level would be used for storage only, not living space: “the attic height has been lowered so that it's difficult to get up there with any egress or anything like that, but we still want the… storage,” Donato said.
The changes did not remove all variances. Donato said the application continues to request side-yard variances and relief for lot coverage because of the existing location of the house; the front of the house remains nonconforming. The applicant added a variance for a driveway within five feet of a side yard, a change the applicant’s attorney said was re-noticed to neighbors before the hearing.
A rear-yard neighbor, Larry Messmer, testified in support. “I live directly behind the Klein family, and I have no objection to them enlarging their house. And I wish them luck in doing that,” Messmer said; he added he had lived at his address for about 50 years.
Vice Chairman Molner made a motion to approve the revised application, which Commissioner Eisman seconded. The board recorded unanimous approval in roll call (Commissioners Grama, Roble, Eisman, O'Connor, Fucas, Molner and Chairman Zechino all voting yes) and the clerk announced the motion passed.
Board staff noted that the application had been re-noticed where required and that testimony taken before the board would be incorporated into the meeting minutes. The record includes letters of support from neighboring property owners that the applicant offered to submit as exhibits at the hearing.
The board’s approval addresses the specific variances described at the hearing; any appeal of the board’s action must follow the procedures noted in the public record and meeting notice.
