Planning Board - Regular Meeting

Hi.

Okay. All right. Good evening everyone. Uh, this is a regular meeting of the zoning board of adjustment for February 4th, 2026. Notice has been given in accordance with the open public meetings act by posting a copy of the notice on the first floor of the municipal building and sending a copy to the Montclair Time Star Ledger and Herald News. This is a public hearing in which any members of the public are welcome to attend. The meeting agenda is available on the Montlair website as is a link to the township's YouTube channel where the hearing can be viewed live or after the fact. The hearing is also being televised on channel 34. Um and our our first order of business is um to set uh to discuss um the request from Mr. Trenulac for a special meeting in March. Um as you know the agenda changed today. So, four of the applications we had scheduled are not able to proceed because um Mr. Chambulac wasn't feeling well. So, he sends his apologies for that um change in uh the schedule. But he did request that um a special meeting be scheduled for the hearing for application 2932120 Wong Avenue for applicants Jel Singh and Noep Singh Sandu. So, um, I will open up.

Well, I think I think that, uh, if we're going to have to take a vote on this. Yeah, I I think so. We'll we'll need to do the roll call. Okay. I will do roll call first. Yes. Uh, Chair McCull here. Vice Chair Simon is not present. Mr. Caulfield here. Mr. Church here. Miss Harris is not yet present. Mr. Moore is not present. Uh, Mr. Vieira here. Miss Grant is not present. Mr. Griffith here. Here. And Mr. Cruz is not present, but he said he will be arriving later. Mr. Sullivan.

Yeah. So, the I'm here. So, yeah, I think the first order of business should be that 120 Wong Avenue application and the request for special meeting. The special meetings is going to be one of the first three Wednesdays in March. And I think Sam, you would prefer it be one of the first two, correct? Yes. Okay. Anybody have a position? A question. Uh is this standard practice to have a special meeting for one thing? It seems unusual.

It's not it's it's not particularly unusual. Um and and when we say it's just one thing, it's one that we anticipate is going to take several hours to hear. Um, so in the past, not so much in recent history, but we have had special meetings with the Montlair zoning board and um, and the way we do it is exactly what we're doing now, discussing it to get a date that we think we're going to get enough bodies for and then setting it. Then it gets noticed under the Open Public Meetings Act, and then we'll carry that application to that new date. So, it's not and it's not not unusual in other boards either. Yeah. Okay, fine. I I just didn't know. Yeah. you know, we don't make a habit of it, but

well, if it's going to be a long process and there's a lot of people that need to speak,

that application is we anticipate involving the public and a number of uh witnesses on behalf of the applicant and the record should reflect that Mr. Moore has now present. Yeah, I think I think of the um of the three dates um the I think those are the fourth, the 11th and the 18th. Correct. I'm not So the 11th would would be difficult for me personally. Um so if if our secretary prefers either of the first two, then the fourth would be my preference. U but the 18th is also available. How do other board members feel? Uh the fourth is good.

Same. I I have a conflict also on the 11th. So I won't Yeah. Okay. So I think the motion is to set a special meeting of the Montlair zoning board on March 4, 2026 at 700 p.m. here. Uh and as part of that motion, the application of 120 WHung Avenue Jell Singh and No Deep Singh Sandeu application number 2932 would be carried to that March date. Is that again? fourth date um without further notice. Yeah.

All right. Just before we vote then, just want to make sure that Mr. Moore is aware of what we're doing here. Um so we had a request uh some of the applications for scheduled for this evening had to be rescheduled. Uh one in particular, there's been a request for a special meeting to handle that application since it will be uh we anticipate that it will be a lengthy discussion. And so the it appears as though that the um the board is inclined towards the 4th of March for scheduling that meeting. So we want want to make sure you're aware of that before we actually take the vote. Okay.

All right. Okay. All right. Is there a it's we've heard uh then uh that we should have a motion to schedule the special meeting on March the 4th to uh hear application 2932 Wong Avenue. Um, is there a motion? I'll make that motion. Is there a second? Second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. Any abstensions? Thank you. So, that is scheduled then for Yes. the, uh, fourth. Yeah. And again, there's no further public notice on that. And that's March 4th, uh, 2026 at 700 p.m. Okay.

All right. Thank you. Um we have some more announcements uh to the change of agenda for tonight. So um application number 2949 for address 30 Club Road and applicant Sattoru Okama has been postponed to February 18th, 2026 at 700 p.m. without the need for further public notice. Application number 2955 uh for 340 Orange Road and the Montlair Senior Housing Corporation has also been postponed to March 25th, 2026 at 700 p.m. without the need for further public notice. Application number 2956 for 6 to 10 Erie Street and applicant BDP 6 to10 Erie LLC has been postponed to March 25th uh 2026 at 7 p.m. without need for further public notice. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. All right. I think uh the next item then would be the approval of the minutes uh from our January 21st uh meeting. I don't have any corrections uh to those minutes. Does anyone else have any corrections to the minutes? No. Okay. With someone moved then the minutes uh be approved. I make a motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. They are approved. Thank you.

Uh then we have this item resolutions. Um we don't have any resolutions in this particular category. Am I correct? Right. So then uh we'll turn to old business. We'll ask our secretary to guide us through the old business in terms of the extension requests that are before us. Yes. Uh so the first uh approval extension request is for application number 2855 for 41 Prospect Avenue. Applicants Adam and and Mara Weinstein. Um so they are requesting a one-year extension and they've also made a change to their plan which is in response to the resolution that we previously issued. So the board when approving it asked them to look into and contract an arborist to assess if the carport would interfere with the mature trees that they have on their property. They contracted an arborist. They found out that it would um impact the trees and instead of moving it because they didn't find that um a logical solution based on their rear property lines, they decided to eliminate their carport from their application. So, this is a reduced um scope application that they're requesting a one-year variance on.

One one-year variance extension. Right. Other questions? All right. Would someone uh move uh the approval of the extension? The approval. Second. Second. All right. All in favor say I. I.

All opposed. Any abstensions? It is approved. Okay. And then the second uh variance approval extension request is for application number 2898 for property at 50 Gordonhurst Avenue. Applicants David Gaines and Jill Beckman. Um this is a um approval that was issued in November 2024. They weren't able to get started on the work due to unforeseen circumstances. So, they are requesting a one-year uh variance extension for the approval. So, there are no changes other than the timing. Yes.

Okay. Questions? I make a motion to approve. Is there a second? Second. All right. All in favor say I. I. All opposed. It is voted. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Uh then we're going to move to new business. And uh this will be uh application 294851 Elm Street, St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Uh and this is property that's located in the R3 Gardens group zone district. Uh designated on the township tax maps is lot 20 and block 3112. Variances requested are from Monontlair code 347-109.1B to permit a historic marker sign mounted 8 ft above grade where 6 feet is the maximum height permitted and from Monontlair code 347-109.1D to permit a historic marker sign measuring 14 square ft where two square feet is the permitted maximum. Um, the applicant also seeks other variances that may be required.

Thank you. I'll just note for the record that Mr. Cruz arrived at 7:15 p.m. and proper notice was given uh for this uh application. Yes, public notice was uh given and taxes are up to date. All right. All right. Who will be representing this application? Please come forward and and while you're getting settled in, Zana, would you raise your right hand? Do you swear to tell the truth in the matter pending before the board? I do. Just state your name and position with the township. Zenab Gazmi, assistant planner. Okay. Would you both raise your right hands? Do you swear to tell the truth in the matter pending before the board? State your name and address. Let's make sure that microphone is on. There's a button there on now. Yeah.

Unfortunately, only um this will be

Okay. So, we were at the names and addresses part. Betty Holloway, 141 Lincoln Street, Mont Clair. Esther Kanty Barnes, uh, 125 Gates Avenue, Unit 7, Montlair, New Jersey. Okay. And you're presenting this application on behalf of St. More. Is that right? Yes. Welcome. Please uh tell us what you're wanting to do.

Okay. Good evening, chairman and members of the board. I am here tonight regarding a marker on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail established by state legislation in 2022. We are seeking a dimensional variance to install an official Black Heritage Trail marker at 51 Elm Street. The marker in question is part of a coordinated statewide effort to document and honor contributions of black citizens to our history. The 14 square foot signage is the program's universal standard. Reducing the size to two square feet would render the educational text illeible, eliminate necessary historical context, and separate our township from a significant statewide cultural network. We believe the public benefit of this installation constitutes a special reason that far outweighs any perceived detriment to the zoning plan. If you are not familiar with St. Marks, United Methodist Church, now referred to as the mark. I'd like to share a few slides to provide a brief overview of why our site application was selected and what the signage would look like once installed.

Okay. So, this is uh akin to a PowerPoint presentation. This these have not been submitted in advance. Correct. How many how many slides are you gonna show? Maybe about five. Okay. Maybe maybe six.

Okay. So, five or six slides. We'll just collectively mark this presentation as exhibit A1. The building on the left was constructed and occupied in 1836 when the fourth Methodist Church in Bloomfield recognized the growth and potential it sought to be a part of in the fast develop veloping community then called West Bloomfield now we know as Montlair. It was the first church building and school in Montlair known as First Methodist Episcopal Church where reading, writing, arithmetic and religion were taught. Through hard work and dedication, it became our church. St. Mark's Methodist Episcopal Church when leaders negotiated a buying price. On the right is the parsonage built in 1895, a Queen Annestyled home um which occupied the appointment of the new minister in that same year that we were also incorporated in the state of New Jersey. That building still stands and is a Montlair Township Historic Parcel. The building owners were granted a variance by this committee

on condition that a pedestrianfriendly marker be installed. The Queen Annestyle House was deemed important in the architectural landscape of the township. The pedestrian friendly marker identifies the occupants, thus establishing our longevity in this community. On this fatal morning of Good Friday, April 4th, 1947, the pride and progress of the congregants were challenged by a devastating fire. In this building, the Boy Scout troops number 20 was formed. And in 1905, Reverend John Blake met with community members to organize a YMCA program for African American men and boys. The Great Migration was in full order at that particular time. Alice Hoie Foster, a member of this church and I am sure was celebrated by this community when she became the first African-American to graduate from Montlair High School in 1894. She returned home after four years of Howard at Howard University and two years teaching to help with the family business, a newspaper and tobacco store at the corner of Bloomfield and Glenn Avenue. You will know that building now because the Montlair Savings Bank is written

right on the side. It was big business gobbling up small businesses at the time. Meanwhile, in 1906, Alice and her sister purchased a building just down the street at 415 Bloomfield Avenue, where several businesses rented space, including a dentist and a dry good store. African-American migrants continued to grow. Alice recognized a need for women and girls. Thus, she organized a group of women in St. Marks and Union Baptist Church to form the YW.CA for African-American women and girls. Her legacy lives on in both St. Marks and at the Montlair History Center at the Crane House and historic YW.CA. By the way, the history center was the township's first black heritage trail site approved. Further, in 1916, our newly appointed pastor, Reverend Frederick Hendy, was asked to join a group of citizens organizing a chapter of the NAACP. They recognized the need for better education, job training, and housing. Many of Montlair's citizens, from teachers and doctors to service workers and entrepreneurs, worshiped and thrived on the support they found here in this church. So, you can imagine how devastating it was when the fire destroyed the building. But that did not hold them back. The old church was 111 years old in 1947, required constant maintenance, and the congregation felt a new building was required.

They had already acquired the land around the corner on Elm Street at Fulton, uh, continuing the legacy of St. marks which celebrated its 145th anniversary um last November 2025. The original plans for the new St. Marks were much more elaborate. However, although World War II had ended, materials were scarce. Those plans were revised to a more stately yet minimalist Gothic style. The placement of the Black Heritage Trail signage will remind the congregation about where we've come as we continue to grow and educate the public about who we are and the contributions we've made in this community. Um, this is the signage text approved by the New Jersey Historical Commission's Black Heritage Trail Program, but is subject to change following final review and prior to installation by their staff. The history it shares only scratches the surface that tells the pride we have and shared in this town. I have included pictures of the first signage installed in Cape May and the Timbuktu community in Westampton, New Jersey to give you an idea of what the signage will look like once installed.

It is important to note that the signage also meets ADA legibility standard. And finally, members of the board, these slides represent 145 years of history, Montlair history. We're asking for 14 square feet of space to ensure that the and two feet in height uh to ensure that the next 145 years will be remembered. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. Uh Miss Candy Barnes, do you have anything that you'd like to say? I would just like to emphasize that um I'm just your in my my capacity as her attorney, but also to uh emphasize that this has been approved by the New Jersey uh state historical uh commission. Uh this is a template that was um prepared and designed by them throughout the the state of New Jersey. So I think that you should also consider those factors. And it's just not that we are pulling these numbers out of our head, but that they are in compliance with from a state perspective. All right. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. Let's turn first to Mr. Church to see if we have questions.

I have no questions, Mr. Mr. Cfield. um you know like uh we're uh discussing our reports going forward for zoning and I feel like we should think about you know revising these types of signs. These are pretty much legitimate signs that a lot of towns have. They're historical signs and I think that you know instead of coming through the board here it should just be somewhat legitimized in some sense. Um, I'm just saying that we're looking at our reports about revision some of the codes and stuff and that this historical sign you see throughout the state of New Jersey and that it should just be somewhat, you know, given in the sense that it it's it's, you know, two two two feets where it's not a lot to show all what's there. So, I'm in favor. Thank you.

Thanks. I'll just note for the record that Miss Harris has arrived at 7:29. Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, good evening. I I have a question. So, so this sign is a standard uh size and height throughout the state. Yes. So, no matter where you go in the state, you will see a sign exactly like this. Yeah. Thank you.

Oh, and just to add to that, there are currently 51 sites that have been approved throughout the state. So, no matter whether you're north or in Cape May, you there will be various sites um and signs around. And and do you know if there's another sign in Montlair or this will be the first one? The program wasn't started until 2022. So, um, we have three sites that have been approved by the New Jersey Historical Commission. The Montlair History Center, St. Marks, and the How House over on Claremont Avenue. Yes. Okay. Thank you.

And Mr. Ver, I'll just add for some context. We did review the signage for 110 Orange Road, the Montlair History Center, and the Israel Crane House. So, um, they were working on a different dimension than what the actual sign is now. So, they'll be coming back, um, hopefully in two weeks, um, to get the same approval, uh, that this that this signage is seeking the dimensions for and and we do collaborate, you know, with our work around this project. Um,

good evening. I just had one quick question. Um just uh for for we always have to juggle on this board uh positive criteria versus negative criteria and I think this application has a lot of uh positive criteria and so just just for the for the record I would love to hear what the positive criteria is that makes this sign uh uh warranting or worthy of of um getting a variance for for the zoning. Well, first of all, it is not an advertisement, so that is definitely a positive. Uh, and also it is educational. Um you know uh for Montlair it adds another dimension to why people visit our town and you know that they will you know see these um markers in and around the area and uh it will you know teach them more about the history of the people that live here and love this town and the contributions that they have made. Thank you very much,

Mr. Griffith. Um, okay. I can't hear very well, so I'm going to ask you questions that you've already answered. I want to make sure I hear hear correctly. Um, yeah, I I uh all for it. Uh but in order to be all for it, we are going to write a variance and we're going to have to set a precedent for what we're doing. And I want to frame the precedent really clearly such that um you know it's it's appropriate and I don't think that'll be hard but you have to help me. Okay. So the program that you got this sign on is is what's the program called?

The New Jersey Historical Commission's Black Heritage Trail. Okay. Okay. And the typical size of these signs is 14 square feet. Is that correct? Yes. And the typical Would you use the typical or standard? I'll take either one. Okay. Standard size or Yes, it's the standard size 14 ft. This is the standard size that they that they use. Is that correct? Mhm. Okay. And the number you said they had 51 installations in the state. Is that correct? Yeah, they have approved so far. 51 51 approved.

Yes. I don't know how many installations other than the ones I showed you. This is approved by the program, not necessarily the jurisdiction. Yes. And I think on the page that you received in the recommendations from the historical commission, it is stated on page five that the applicant has been approved for signage by the New Jersey Historical Commission's Black Heritage Trail. Okay. And that's in the planning report on page five. And so, and as you stated before, it is historical in nature and it is educational in nature.

Yes. Okay. Is there anything else I we could add to that? Um well um those as far as my notes were concerned. The questions that you just asked me were uh two of the most important ones. Yeah. Nothing. Thank you. Mhm. Mr. Chairman. Yes. Uh, I believe I I believe in your application you're asking that this signage be uh staked at 8 feet rather than the required six. Well,

did I if I can explain how you get 8 feet. If you look at the um marker there, the 8T is measured from the top of where the logo is, okay? down to the ground level. You see three feet of the pole will be underground, right? So the 8 ft is from the very tiptop to the ground level to the ground and that's by nature of the way the the sign is made. I mean that is the design from the the historical commissions that they have settled on. Yes.

Thank you. We don't have a choice. Okay. Great. Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore. Okay.

Have you shared this with your congregation as of yet or? Okay. We h I have shared it with the um the executive team of the leadership board and the announcement was made um and our former lieutenant governor chose our location to highlight uh for she and the governor when they were celebrating Junth this past June. So, if you go to the New Jersey Historical Commission's website and you see the former lieutenant governor there, click on the video and she's going to tell you the story of St. Marks.

Very nice. Thank you. Former former lieutenant governor. Former former lieutenant govern. Is that Miss Oliver you're talking about? Tisha. Okay. Tanisha. Okay. Thank you. Anything else? I thought you were pretty thorough with sharing the information. So, thank you, Miss Harris.

No question. Okay. So, I have a just a couple of questions uh for you um to be clear in terms of uh how this works. So, first first of all, um, how was the location of the signage determined? Meaning, not not the church itself, but I mean where you actually intend to place it on the property. Um, a trustee of our church is uh is here. I discussed it um with her. Lenor

if if she would like to speak to that then she'll need to come to a microphone and give her name and address and then she's welcome to offer a witness. All right. And you need to be sworn also. Would you raise your right hand? Do you swear to tell the truth in the matter pending before the board? I do. State your name and address, please.

Lenora Isaac and I live at 28 Overlook AB in West Orange. So, um when uh we were designated as um one of the um historic sites, you know, the Black Heritage Trail, um Betty came to me as a trustee member and um and shared, you know, the signage with me and then asked for the best uh location for the sign. And so, um, you know, looking at the property and, you know, thinking of the public and access and everything, um, the location was chosen that would best suit both the display, um, both uh, tours that might result from it and, uh, the viewing by the public. I might add that Len uh Miss uh Lenor is an engineer by uh trade. If she wants to uh share that experience, it might be helpful to the board. Yes, I'm I'm an engineer and I have uh close to 40 years of experience managing construction projects for um formerly New Jersey Transit um for uh rail stations and infrastructure uh projects for New Jersey Transit and now I'm consultant.

So thank you. So, one of the as we looked at the an earlier marker as we've discussed in in this hearing, um part of what we looked at is is um the the location of the sign particularly with respect to um the public's ability to interact with the signage. Um and one of the things that I think Miss Holloway mentioned in her presentation uh had to do with it with the educational value. And so we were talking uh in that hearing about um uh school kids being able to see the sign. Uh and uh uh and so that's that's one of the questions that I sort of have is in terms of the the actual location. And then um I think there is a slight slope um from the sidewalk to where the sign would be. Um, and then I think Miss Holloway, you also mentioned that you were sensitive to um, ADA visibility. Um and so I just wanted to to to hear you know just in terms of how you've uh looked at the placement uh how comfortable you feel that it meets sort of those those interests that number one that um once the sign is in place that u uh anyone who perhaps uh may be uh physically impaired would still be able to to um to to read the sign to see it in in its completion. as well as its proximity and the sidewalk. If uh if a for example I think there's a school which is close by. So if one of the teachers wanted to bring school children to see the sign as part of an educational lesson is there enough space on the sidewalk between the sidewalk and the signage for the children to be gathered safely um and to

be able to I I I I think so. And um I one of the things that Lenora and I talked about was leveling that area that is not um it was landscaped for other plantings but for the signage we would clear that particular area. Am I right? Yes. Yes. We would have landscaping done in conjunction with the installation.

Okay. All right. Okay. Um the other question that I have is that uh you mentioned that this is one of three markers that have been approved. Um and so uh we we now two are in process and is the how house also in process or it's forthcoming? I I'm not sure but yes it is. But I'm on the board and I'm not speaking for them

for them or with their approval about what is being planned for the the uh signage, but I do know that they're planning to come before you to go through this process as well. So, so my my question relative to that is um will is is will there be any um what what will how will the community know that these three historical markers exist? And is there anything in the design that sort of draws people to visit one and a second and a third?

Well, we do have a collaboration with each of the other with each of the um the other two sites. Thank you.

Two sites in town. So, uh it will be through coordinated uh programming uh that we will um inform the public as a part of the approval process. uh each site uh must submit or have a program that is open to the pro public that is a free program and um we uh have done that one program last year at St. Marks. The history center also does uh programs and they're coordinated through their history at home program

and the how house is using the Junth celebration as a part of their um meeting their program requirements under the legislation.

Okay. So, I just would um um offer as a as a suggestion, let's put it that way. So certainly not an obligation, but since none of the signs are yet in place. Um whether or not um there is a way that that um the three entities might take a look at something in the lettering that would draw people to the attention that there are three such historical markers um that will be in place in Montlair. Um, so that's just something that you may want to look at as a possibility. Um,

do you know there will be a QR code on the poll? Okay. So, it could be that and so that could be something I'm envisioning right now uh that I can discuss with the Black Heritage Trail program that for anyone who scans that QR code, the three sites will pop up. Okay, that's great. Yes, I believe um Miss Diggs from the history center said that the QR code connects to all of the markers. So, Oh, they do. Okay. Um as they keep growing as well, it'll be continually updated. So, if there are others eventually those will be included. Miss Harris, you had a question.

I was going to ask if the website lists all of the historic sites um that people can Yes, it on the homepage for the Black Heritage Trail. Okay, I have a question. Yes, Mr. Moore. Sure. So, since this is right across the street from the Bullock Elementary School, right? What type of anchors support systems uh will the signage um be grounded in in case a kid comes over? And you know, kids are kids, right? They may want to hang on it. Just want to ensure that it's sturdy.

Yeah. it it it will be installed with proper um foundation, you know, with the concrete anchor and um the proper foundation for that signage. In fact, I would be surprised if they didn't have um installation standards. Yeah. From the state.

Okay. And right now the topography does slope a little bit. As you know, we've had this arctic chill recently, so ice can become very real in the winter. Um, I would I would assume that this will attract a lot of people. So, um what uh well, I believe you shared um in place well what drainage um have you thought of or a slope or leveling so that in the event if it rains a lot and then it becomes cold that if someone walks closely to it, they don't slip on the property.

Yes. So we will we are um incorporating as I said the landscaping to make sure that um we provide a safe um and and level uh foundation for it as well as we continually maintain the um the walks around. We have a um contract with the snow removal company that um regularly salts and and removes the snow and stays ahead of the weather. So, we make sure that we maintain the property for safe passage because we do know that a lot of the school children and families do cut through our property. Okay. Thank you.

Thank you. Other members of the board with questions? Are there any members of the public that I'm not aware of that have any questions? Okay. Uh, seeing none, hearing none. Tell I had I I just had a personal statement that I wanted to read just about my involvement at St. Marks if that's okay. Yes.

Okay. Um, so, um, good evening again, members of the board, and thank you, um, for the opportunity to speak. Um, as I stated, my name is Lenor Isaac, and my relationship with St. Mark spans more than 40 years. I was first introduced to the church in the 1980s when my college roommate invited me to visit. From the moment I walked in, I was warmly welcomed and felt immediately at home. After graduation, when I moved to the area, returning to St. Marks was a natural step. It became the place where I was baptized as an adult, where I was married, and where my daughter was baptized and continues to serve as a young adult. St. St. Marks has been the spiritual foundation for every major chapter of my life. And the friendships and bonds I and my family have formed here have supported us in ways that are immeasurable. St. Marks is more than a church. It is a faith family. Over the decades, I've been deeply involved in the life of the church, serving in the music ministry, on the board of trustees, teaching Sunday school, and on the social media and AV ministries, as well as with the prison fellowship outreach through project angel tree. I also support our overnight respit program, which provides shelter for our unhoused neighbors during the winter months. These ministries reflect the heart of St. marks service, compassion, and community. My work on several anniversary celebration committees over the years gave me a deeper understanding of our church's historical significance. I had the the privilege of working with our historians and being entrusted with members treasured historic photographs, programs, and newspaper articles. What stood out most were the personal narratives of families who came to Montlair during the great migration,

many from the south and found stability, community, and spiritual grounding at St. Marks. Generations were baptized, raised, married, and went on to raise their families within this church. Their stories are woven into the history of Montlair. St. Marks has also played a vital role in the broader community. Many organizations that have shaped Montlair either began at St. Marks or partnered with us over the years, including the YW.CA, the NAACP, Home Corps, and United Methodist Communities. We've also shared a very positive relationship with the board of ed. Today we continue that legacy partnering with Tony's Kitchen to host a free popup food market twice a month and by leasing our fellowship hall to provide overnight respit for the unhoused during the winter. St. Marks is not just a church. It's a cultural anchor, a historical cornerstone, and a place where generations of black families have found belonging, leadership, and community. Its story is inseparable from the story of Montlair. To this day, I continue to encounter new people who have a history of either growing up in St. Marks or attending events there. The state of New Jersey has recognized St. Mark's significance in the Black Heritage of Montlair and in New Jersey. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the board to approve the Black Heritage Trail signage installation for St. Mark's United Methodist Church. Recognizing this site ensures that the history, contributions, and legacy of St. Marks are preserved and honored for future generations long after our work here is done. I thank you for your consideration.

All right. Thank you very much. All right. Now, we're we're going to uh move towards uh the board uh offering final comments and voting. Uh, Miss Holloway, Miss Candy Barnes, do you have anything else that you'd like to say before we we begin this process? Well, thank you. Um, I don't know if your microphone is on. Thank you. And, um, I'm looking forward to a favorable response. All right. Anything? Nothing. All right. Let's turn first to Mr. church.

Yes. Uh thank you, chairman. Uh I have no problem with this. I I I think these are things that, you know, it enhances the township. It also enhances the comm your community. It enhances all communities within Montlair because it becomes a knowledge base that uh u others can share. Uh St. Marx has always been a very uh open uh congregation. Uh I've been to several events there myself and uh I think that u this is just one thing that will one will will enhance the uh community's knowledge and u appreciation of St. Marks. So I would vote in favor of this application.

Thank you, Mr. Cfield. I'm in favor. All right, Mr. Vieira. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And also in favor of the application. I think this is a great initiative and uh thank you for the thorough presentation. I'm looking forward to seeing the the three signs here. Mr. Cruz,

um I'm also in support of the application. Um I very very much appreciate um again like I had mentioned earlier the positive criteria because a number of applicants come here before this board for varying different reasons and so having you know describing non-advertising cultural significance historic significance educational significance these are the types of of reasons that are that are worthy of granting a variance and so uh you know thank you for for being here and I am in support of the application. Mr. Griffith,

I'm in favor of it. Uh though I frame it with the with the with the parameters that I'm in favor of the sign because it's from a specific program that you identified earlier. It has a specific standard size that makes that that program uh has used. Um the height of it is is uh also I assume standard but I want to talk about the height and it's historical and educational which is both credible to um our our our community. Um, I am a little concerned about the 8- foot height and uh so I suggest that it might be I don't know that anybody else will agree with me but um you test the height either somewhere between 7 foot and 8 foot on the site like you can either take a piece of cardboard out there and look at it or you can take the real sign out there and just dig the hole a little deeper and evaluate for yourself in person what the right height is because doing it abstractly like I'm an architect. I look at this stuff all the time. I still can't I still don't understand it as well as I should. Okay. But if you mock it up and you stand next to it in real size in the real place, you can have a much better understanding of what you're doing. And I'm suggesting that you select a height somewhere between seven and 8 feet that is the best height for the sign based on your judgment when you mock it up. We can definitely do a mockup prior to installation.

Yeah. Thank you. I'm in favor. Mr. Moore,

I'm in favor of this application. Uh St. Markx Methodist Church is a true pillar and cornerstone in the Montlair community and the congregation and the church have really uh made a tremendous contribution not only to this town but the state and and and and in general I guess the folks that they've uh have touched. But um in looking at the Monontlair Historical Preservation Commission, it reads the the commission found that the proposal historic landmark sign is appropriate for the site and consistent with similar state installed Black Heritage Trail markers and that the requested variance for sign height and area are justified by the heights educational and historic purpose. And that's significant because we want not only pedestrians who are walking by to be able to see signage, but also if you're driving by and you don't have to squint and it's, you know, it's at a safe um visibility as well as ADA compliant. So, that's important. And then lastly with the Montlair Historic Preservation Commission, it says the commission expresses strong support for the proposal and did not have any advisory comments or recommendations. So um I'm in favor of it and and I've I've seen um similar uh landmarks, historical landmarks throughout my travels. and Martha's Vineyard also has something very similar uh as well that they're working on. So, I'm sure that uh you that this is being done all over. So,

I'm in favor. Thank you. Miss Harris, I'm not sure if I'm You're not eligible to vote, but you can still give us your sentiments. Um I'm also in favor um of this application. Um I just wanted to clarify the kind of dimensions and the mounting height of the sign. Is that a requirement from based on the program or is was that selected by the state? Okay. So that's a requirement of the state of of the program that the markers are but the legislation that was passed in 2022. Okay. So it explicitly says it needs to be at the 8ft height.

I'm sorry I didn't hear what you just said. So, so the legislation states that the sign needs to be mounted at 8 feet that it would be consistent. Okay. Throughout the state. Okay. And that's and that's the height. And that's Yes. What they came up with. Okay. Okay. I just wanted to clarify um that you don't have a lot of leeway in terms of how you sign. No, we don't. Okay. Okay. Um but I I think it's great that um you know, Montlair is home to three of well, possibly three of these signs. Um, I think, you know, just speaks to our history and it's something that as a community we can all be proud of.

I'm I'm also u in in favor of this application. Um, I think that uh it's important to note that this this zoning board is um is particularly keen, I think, about um as Mr. more has suggested uh the historical character and the culture of this community. Uh and your presentation uh has uh served to remind us, Miss Harris, I'm sorry you weren't able to be with us at the very beginning, but to to hear that um this uh church which is being recognized precedes Monontlair itself. So the the history is really quite remarkable. Uh and and the enduring value and contributions of of of the congregation uh and uh not just as a worshshiping congregation but also as a as a community vestage uh uh meaning uh that uh support of um of um YMCA and YW.CA CA activities and and uh many other similarly um uh devised uh uh programs of um community and social activity and uh empowerment. Um so um I think it's important that this uh signage um marks this location uh as as you've noted I um and and uh draws attention to it uh because I think it it it enhances um the value of of our community itself uh and reminds not only the current generation but future generations of the community uh from whence we've come and what we need to be able to protect uh as we continue to u socalled develop as a community. U so um

I'm in favor of of the um of the application as well and um uh ready to receive a motion uh from the board. I make a motion to approve this application. Is there a second? All right. Who is a second? Mr. Church. Um all in favor of the uh motion say I. I. All opposed. Abstensions. Abstain. It is approved. Thank you. Thank you. Take care. Thank you. Thank you.

Yeah. All right. We have uh just uh one last item on our agenda and that is a discussion about the 2025 annual report. We'll turn to our secretary to guide us through this please.

Yes. So I have put this on. There's nothing to review at this moment. I will have um the matrix and map for you for the next meeting. But I know we started the discussion at our last meeting of what we would like to include as we were approving the 2023 report, 2024 report. um what we would like to include as um more substantial recommendations for our next round. So if anyone wanted to kick off the discussion, I know maybe the historic marker sign is something we talked about. We've talked about ADUs. Um and then if anyone wanted to go more into detail about what we approved from our last report or expand on it, opening the floor to you all.

Okay. All right. Thank you. Our next meeting is scheduled for Our current next meeting is uh February 18th, 2026, 7 p.m.

Yeah. So, I just wanted to to um just as a reminder because it is a different um uh sort of reality for us as a zoning board that we uh did uh take an action to change our meeting time uh to 7:00. uh and uh so you know uh we we may from time to time sort of be a little offkilter in terms of that process but we'll we'll get there. Don't don't be concerned about it but 7 o'clock is is the time that we will be meeting in order for us to be able to conclude hopefully at a more reasonable hour. So all right is there anything else uh for the good of the order? If not is there a motion to adjurnn?

Motion to adjurnn. Second. Okay. All in favor? I. All opposed. Thank you. Have a good night. All right. And then, uh, Miss Harris, I believe you missed this, but um, for this application, uh, 2932120 Waturn Avenue. Um, a few of them have been carried to March 25th, but we've decided to hold a special meeting on March 4th at 700 p.m. just for that application. So, if you're able to attend, I believe we have a forum on the way, but love to have you