Zoning Board of Adjustment - Regular Meeting

Board of adjustments, March 24th, 2026. The following is the agenda for the regular minute regular meeting of the Pumpton Lake Zoning Board of Adjustment. The meeting is to be held in the municipal building, 25 Lennox Avenue on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, beginning at 8:00 p.m. A written advance notice as required by NJSA 10- uh 4-1 ETS has been provided of this meeting um at least 48 hours in advance of today given the time, date, and location and to the extent known at the time the agenda of this meeting. Such notice stated that formal action may or may not be taken. This meeting will be video recorded and will be broadcast for a later viewing for the public. The notice was um was posted on the bulletin board outside the offices of missile clerk reserved for this and similar announcements provided to the suburban trend the newspaper designated by the town council and planning board to receive such notices and filed with the burough clerk. Stand for the pledge of allegiance. Pledge

allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please have a roll call. Yes. Mr. Hunt here. Mr. Vape here. Mr. Cos here. Miss Berntoff here. Mr. Rowan here. Mr. Fabula here. Mr. Devonte here. Mr. Claus here. Miss Hazelman here. Councilman Cruz here. And Mr. Brewer here. Thank you. Um minutes um regular minutes for February 24th, 2026. Everybody had an opportunity to read the minutes provided. Any questions, comments, changes? None. Can I get a motion to accept the minutes? Motion to accept.

Second. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Hunts, yes. Mr. Yes. Mr. Cos, yes. Miss Berntock, yes. Mr. Rowan, yes. Mr. Koula, yes. And Mr. Dwan, yes.

Okay. Um, can I get a motion to approve the bills? I'll make a motion we pay the bills. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Hunter? Yes. Mr. B? Yes. Mr. Cos? Yes. Miss Berntock? Yes. Mr. Rowan? Yes. And Mr. Kua? Yes. And Mr. Johnson? Yes. Um application uh BOA25-12 132 Water Fleet AB in Pumpton Lakes. Are you here? Yes. Please come forward.

Yeah. If you're both going to speak, please remain standing. I'll swear you in. Oh, no problem. Don't worry about it. Please raise your right hand. State your name. Spell your last. My name is X. Tell me your last name. N. You swear or affirm the testimony you'll give this evening before this board will be the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth. So help you God. Yes. Okay. You may be seated. Well, that's different. They're doing auto now. I don't think so. What's the problem?

Because that's a bill. That's a bill. Thank you. That is a um it's a rollover from the previous day. Yeah. Street. Okay. You guys clear? Good. Okay. All right. Um, so why don't you uh talk about your project, advise us what you're, you know, what you're planning to do and why you're seeking a variance so that we can hear what you're saying and then give us uh answer some questions. Okay,

you can stand there if you wish. Whatever you're most comfortable with two years ago, it's a kitchen and a panel. The kitchen has the glass that they built over 20 years ago. The glass is no good no more. And the floor was a leak and the beams are wrapped. So it's about 16 ft long and it's 3 ft up of the house. So now I asked if we can go straight build the foundation because the beams they they are up in the air the three people they put the glass. So I was asking to make a foundation and make a straight line all the way in the corner of the house.

Okay. And and the club it's uh I want to build like a foyer. Okay. And I came here he told me for the club we can do it but in the side he said it's is not enough. Uh it's by 18 19 ft. So he said it has to be more. and they said if you want to go variance then uh let's see if we you guys can go in.

Okay. Okay. So there's a there's some questions that are uh being raised by the different um organizations in town. Um and one of those is the water commission. Um they're at they're talking about this the lines uh coming to the house from Albany and it would be coming. So, can you explain how you're going to address their concerns regarding the the lines coming in from Albany? I mean, if the water has to be lower than the freezing point. Mhm. So, when I go in the basement, the water is all the way down in the bottom of the the basement.

Mhm. Um the concern that they have is that the line is going to be coming in underneath the B the uh proposed addition. And uh they're concerned that uh if if something should happen, it would be um something that maybe you want to consider moving the the the line um so that it would um be better suited. If I have to get I'm going to move it. I have no jokes. Well, normally say everything's safe,

right? Normally, what would happen is on your plans, it would clearly show where those lines would be moved if you're considering doing that because this is the document that we were provided. So, is that something that I if would consider? Um, now what they're proposing is that it may interfere with their water the water line. You got the document from the municipality, right? The MUA as to what they stated in their letter to us.

Do you have a copy of that? I don't have Can I get this? Just say what it is. Exactly what it is. You want to read it? Oh, no. On the record. Just for the record, this is a March 11th, 2026 letter from the Pmpton Lakes Municipal Utilities Authority to the zoning board about 132 water fleet. Can I see that?

Yeah. I I want to ask a question if that's all right. Let Let the located.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah, sounds sounds like he's saying I will address whatever it is. That's what they ask.

It's a little more It's not more. extension. I understand why still is challenging because we cannot go in the basement is here and the mother foundation is here. So I can go around it and put put easier easy way because I I understand what he's saying. Okay. So what we should do at this point since you've read the document now and now you have a clear understanding now can you tell the do you need the document? No, you can hold on to that. Okay. Um so now no no let finish the question.

So so now what we like you to do is to address the board as to what the findings are of the letter. Yes. Okay. And then how are you going then to react to what I asked as to is this something that you would be um considering for the uh propose uh of the water and the concerns that the MUA has uh with the layout of of your project.

Okay. Even if I want to do no extension at all, right now it's a basement that is nothing but maybe 4 ft is another foundation. So even if I don't do nothing still if I need to put new water line I got to have to go in the corner go through the foundation when it's only the foundation because to go right now it's a foundation here and a foundation here in the basement is going to be very tough to go to make to put a new line where is right now. Okay.

Okay. So if I need to do that, I going to have to go in the corner, go here and go on the foundation where is only a foundation dig down whatever it is and put the water line water line if I need to go there and pay as it has to be done no matter what. Okay. So so you've answered the question. Yes. Okay. You said you had a question. And so my understanding is is that the they're recommending only that it would be prudent to consider ch like doing something with your your sewer lateral while you have the opportunity and your water line.

No, the sewer line, I'm sorry, is not there. It's all on the other side of the house. Only the water. Okay. So that's it says right here. It says sewer lateral. Yeah. Sewer L front of the Hound towards Waterby. So that in other words one person talking. All right, Clark. Okay. I know he's talking a lot this week doing this question. Okay. So, the water line, it's only a matter that he they're recommending that you do something and look at that line in terms of the age of it. And they're just kind of really saying to you, uh, be careful, right, before you do this if you have to can do it now. I mean, that's all they're saying, right? I understand. Thank you. Okay. Make you aware of it. No, that's true.

But this I understand that this is only going uh what maybe 2 feet into the earth 2T below the how how deep is it going? Cuz it's not showing that in these diagrams. How deep is your cement parch outside? How deep they put the water? I don't know cuz I don't below the ground. I'm saying how deep inside and the basement is all the way in the bottom of the basement, right? by the foundation. So because usually years ago about 10 years ago I used to do water man in New York City. Okay.

So we used to dig over 4 ft below freezing point and put the water inside but here I don't dig outside. I don't know inside is all the way at the bottom of the base. Okay. It enters in probably can be you know it's not it's a freezing point. It's 42 in right over here. Yeah. So, you're saying that it's approximately 5 to 6 ft below the level of your construction? About 4 ft inside the basement for sure. How tall? How tall is the basement ceiling? About 7 ft. 7 ft. So, yeah. Okay.

Anybody on the board have any questions for the applicant? Should that information about the park be on the um architect paperwork? I think I've seen it before. You could ask them if they know Excuse me. If you know where it is, right? The the location of utilities is that's that's not uncommon, right? If you have plans and you want to know apparently the MUA seems to know kind of where they are, have them delineated as condition. That's not That's not a bad thing. Okay. The water line, I know where it is. It's above in the sidewalk. I know where the water line.

Yeah. And there there's a question on whether or not that the plans should be amended to show where the water line is. Okay. so that we all can have a uh better uh understanding where it is so that we make sure that we're seeing the plans that in and the construction uh to reflect what you're doing.

That's right. Yeah. Yeah. It just Yeah. We're just trying to to get the uh the exact location. There's different ways to deal with that, but I it's not question. Well, yes, bring it up. Well, we were talking about the sewer lateral is underneath the proposed covered porch, not the side. And so, it's it's the same thing as far as your awareness of it mostly because you if you've been dealing with sewer line replacements, you know the various different ways that you got to get to that area to pull that pipe out. accidentally I know where the SW line is too. Right. And they're just saying other side of the house and the other side actually. Mhm.

Right. It goes goes and there will be going all the way. Right. I think they're just trying to recommend to you if you if you don't have PVC right now, maybe you want to do it now. You know what I mean? Just that one section. But since you're going to be at in that area, what they're do, what they're saying to you is say just be aware of what's going on here cuz you can avoid a whole bigger repair down the road. Right. Okay. Uh, anybody else on the board have any questions for the applicant?

No. Um, I would just like to just um can you um describe for me the the front yard setback that he's talking about that you you require 30. How far out are you going on on this um proposed the on the side? Yeah. Front and side both. I want to know both. And the side is the glasses are 3 ft. Okay. 3 ft. So just I want to make it straight and uh build a wall foundation like I said before the wall two windows and small roof one. Okay.

And the side is going to be the front one which the steps are there just on the cover up and then there another two steps in front. Okay. I mean I the plan everything. Okay. Thank you for that. Thank you. Anybody else have any questions? Nope.

I will now open it up uh to the public to ask any questions on the testimony that was given by the applicant. And I see that there's no one in the public. So I will close that session. I I would recommend that um on the plans uh that you uh re just show where the water lines are coming into the house. Um just so that everybody's clear um and we can make that a provision of the the application. Um, with that, uh, I will ask someone to, um, make a motion, um, on the applicant. Anyone? Motion to approve subject to showing the diagram or, uh, where the sewer lateral comes in and the water line comes in.

I second on the drawing. Roll call, please. Mr. Hunt. Yes, Mr. Yes, Mr. McC. Yes, Miss Berntock. Yes, Mr. Rowan. Yes, Mr. Kuba. Yes. And Mr. Devonte? Yes. Thank you.

Uh, you've been approved. Next month. There'll be a written version of that says they asked for this. This is the specific relief they gave. This is the condition. They'll vote on that. Then that gets published in the paper. 45 days after that, you could do whatever you want, but really you can go now to the building department and sign a waiver that essentially says, um, I know that somebody in the public might go to court and challenge, but I still want to start now. And as long as you understand that and say that that could, you know, potentially, you know, make you uh pull it back, um, if in fact someone went to court, you could sign a waiver and you can go get your permits earlier. But that's the process. Okay. Thank you for watch. Okay. Good luck with your project. Thank you. Enjoy your evening.

Okay. I'll put this back to you. Oh, okay. Thank you. Can I take this or should I leave it there? Um, that's the minutes and the bills. I mean, you can take the agenda. Yeah, she's okay. Yeah, you can. Yep. All right. Okay. You're welcome. Good luck. All right. Good luck. You're welcome.

Okay. We have a resolution BOA25-1420 Pake Avenue. Everyone had an opportunity to read the resolution. Anything to add, comment on changes? Nope. Can I get a motion to on the resolution? I make a motion we accept the resolution as written. I second it. Roll call, please. Mr. Hunt, yes. Mr. Bates, yes. Mr. Cos, yes. Miss Berntock, yes. Mr. Rowan, yes. Mr. Pagoula, yes. And Mr. Devonte? Yes. Thank you.

Um, there has been a lot of correspondents. They're available. So, if anybody would like to read those, see Susan, she'll make sure you have an opportunity to read that. Um, new unfinished business. Mr. CS, anything on open space?

Uh, couple things. It was a quick meeting. The chairwoman, Maria Kent, was just coming back from being sick, so she didn't want to drag it out too long. Um, on a side note, our former colleague Steve Bay used to be on the environmental commission. I was asked to fill him in his spot. So now I have a third volunteer hat that I wear around town. The good thing is environmental commission meets right before the open space committee. So it's all in one night. So So you wouldn't mind doing that process? It's only 45 minutes. It can't. It starts at 6:45. It has to end by 7:40 7:30. So, and then the 7:30 is the open space committee. So, it's right here.

Okay. Would you be would you be okay to uh report back to us anything that would be of interest to us?

Sure. On the environmental commission, um well, the big thing is river cleanup day is May 3rd. Any and all volunteers are welcome. They supply just the only thing you'd have to bring is your hip boots or if you wanted to just walk in the water with sneakers on, you can. But they have uh garbage bags and gloves and uh they give you food from 9 to 1 and 1:00 they have some sandwiches. Um on the open space, the good thing is the winter weather got out of town quick. Everything's melted. The ground is uh thawed out. So, the the two big projects, the baseball field and the new bridge at Hersfield, the completion dates have been moved up. Uh, last I heard it was April for the bridge.

Um, I mean, that sounds about right. I mean, they they completed the truss, right? The truss is done. Yeah, the um cuz it's one piece. It just has to be dropped into place. That's it. The uh lightning detection systems are installed. Okay, that was the other thing. Those are up. So, those are good. Again, the weather didn't help. So the expected delays with the winter weather we had is not uncommon, you know, for them to push it out. But I think they the mayor spoke with the heads of the league that they found alternate cuz right now I think the impact is going to be with the start of the season. It's the team field.

Yeah, if I'm not mistaken and I think they've come up with a kind of like a fix sort of or temporarily for that. So which is good to hear cuz like you know obviously we want the season to continue. Um but yeah, it's just to see both kids. I think we're okay. But again, you know, we'll get through. In the past, we've put them right out in the outfield grass with throw down bases and the five four and 5 year olds are happy with that. That is they're picking up dirt picking up the dandelion. Oh, yeah. It's been a while, but I remember. Um,

and the other thing was um the um the building down at Hersfield, the uh whatever you want to call it, the fieldhouse that's uh almost done as of the open space committee. It just had to have the floor redone and and Karen Murphy's ready to move everything in. She's cracking a whip on them. Yeah, I hear about that photo. And that's her other thing. She said that bridge better be done by the summer camp. That's going to be right off the horse. Yes.

And then the other project was now the gazebo is going to be repaired by the town instead of open space money. Apparently that came under that. So over at Lakeside Park, the gazebo wants I'm sorry. Cameron wants electric and then steps are done. It's not ADA compliant or anything. The steps in the back near the uh back side of the gazebo, right? I don't know about that. Have you guys ever been back there? But it's pretty treacherous back there. Yeah. Yeah. It's a safety concern. It definitely is. And that was about it. Like I said, it was a quick meeting. Maria Ken was not 100% so she moved us in and out quick. Now, the uh the bridge in the back of um Max's is that has that been done or is that still under construction?

That's that's I don't think that's done. No. Has it has Yeah. Has it started? Nothing. I think um let me recall because it's been quite a while. I believe I think there was issues with the equipment that was going to come in to do the work. Um I can provide an update, but that was probably 7 months ago. There was something going on with the equipment they needed to bring in there to do the work. Mhm. Um whether or not that's the reason why they're putting a halt to it or hasn't been done yet, I'm not sure. But I can get be interested to big You're not going to get that big crane down there.

It has to do with the equipment. There was some concern with that. That was the last one. I mean, we haven't brought it up in council since, but I'll follow my question. Appreciate that. I'm pretty sure that's what it was. Did you want to comment on or No, you're good. at the bridge. Oh, I see you like right there. Yeah, there's no easy access there for any equipment. Well, the problem that we have is that every every driveway you want to pull that out that's in town belongs to private property.

Yes. So they're basically allowing us to go up and down and there were some things going on with that as well because we had to have permission make sure the size the width was enough to support to go down and then obviously they're going to have to traffic that comes in and out. Sure. Sure. So there was a number of factors probably attributing to that. Um but the last one I call that they needed to get was going to be a change. I'm pretty sure they'll figure it out. I'll get an update from Michael see exactly where we are now. That bridge is closed down. There'd be a lot of lakeside I mean Lennox and Lakeside kids that live over there on Avenue style. Yeah, there's a lot of adults that walk through there with Oh yes.

Hey Bobby, as far as the design of that fridge, is that anywhere? I didn't receive any design paperwork on that. But I can find out something. Yeah, I'm I'm curious about like can like right now they have the chain link which everyone rips it apart and uh it's also dark there. I just c you know they put a a stanch in there for kids on a bicycle they don't know it you know they you got to know it I guess but very dark nights. Uh you get hurt. Just curious if they address that. Yeah.

And that's it for this month. That's your report. Thank you, sir. Have one ready for you next month. All right. Excellent. Thank you. Nice. Um I like to open up uh for public discussion. Uh anything that uh anybody would like to bring forward and since I see no one, I will close that session. Can I get a motion for a German? A motion to adjourn. I move. Susie, you got both? Okay. All in favor? I opposed. Thank you very much.