BOROUGH OF WEST CAPE MAY
PLANNING-ZONING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING – July 8, 2008

The Regular Meeting of the Borough of West Cape May Planning-Zoning Board, held at the Municipal Building, 732 Broadway, was called to order by Chairperson Novak at 7:00 PM.  After reading the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975 he led all present in the flag salute.

ROLL CALL:
Members:                                           
              Doris Jacobsen          present               Dick Rigby                present
              Art Joblin                  present               Chris Shriver             present
              Pam Kaithern            present (7:18 PM) Chris Wood               present
              Gary Novak              present             Alternates:                  
              Kevin O’Neill            present               Mark Kulkowitz         present
              Diane Rea                 present               Archie Garnett          present
                                   
Also Present:               Brock Russell, Esq., Board Solicitor
                                    Ray Roberts, P.E., Board Engineer
                                    Elaine Wallace, Recording Secretary

MINUTES:  On motion of Chris Wood, seconded by Kevin O‘Neill, the minutes of the June 10, 2008 Regular Meeting were approved on roll call vote as follows:  Jacobsen and Kulkowitz abstaining, all remaining members present voting in the affirmative.

On motion of Mark Kulkowitz, seconded by Doris Jacobsen, the minutes of the June 24, 2008 Work Session were approved on roll call vote as follows:  Rigby abstaining, all remaining members present voting in the affirmative.

RESOLUTION ADM 04-08 FAR RECOMMENDATION: On motion of Doris Jacobsen, seconded by Chris Wood, the resolution was approved on roll call vote as follows: Rigby abstaining, all remaining members present voting in the affirmative.

APPLICATION 03-08, Gary Gilbert, Block 48, Lot 7, Green Street:  Solicitor Russell swore in the applicant who was represented by Peter Tourison.  Mr. Gilbert was seeking to subdivide his property into 2 conforming lots.  He was seeking a waiver from sidewalk and curb regulations, citing the lack of both in the area.  Board Engineer Roberts reviewed his report and asked that the final drawings for the subdivision show how the setbacks will be handled in the area of the encroachment on the side.  Mr. Tourison explained that the setback in the area of the encroachment would be measured from the end of the encroachment and not from the property line - so if the encroachment was 2’ and the setback was 10’, the setback from the property line would be 12’.  Chairperson Novak opened the hearing to property owners within 250 feet.  When no one wished to speak, Mr. Novak opened the hearing to the general public.  When no one wished to speak, the public hearing was closed.  On motion of Chris Wood, seconded by Mark Kulkowitz, the board unanimously approved the minor subdivision with the condition that the setback be measured from the easement line in the area of the encroachment.

INFORMAL APPLICATION Patrice Shute:  Solicitor Russell explained there would be no action or vote would be taken during the informal hearing and nothing said by the board would be binding.  Property Mike Shute and contractor Mike East came before the board to ask some questions about what would be permissible on the Shute’s property located on the corner of Second and Columbia Avenues.  Chairperson Novak explained that unless the plans require a variance, the owner would not have to appear before the Board.  Mr. Shute would like to build a three story house with a “mother-in-law” suite containing a separate kitchen on the first floor.  Mr. Shute did not want to build a true duplex and he didn’t want to hire an architect to design something that wouldn’t be approved.  Mr. Russell felt if a second kitchen was included in the “mother-in-law” suite then a variance would be needed for some type of duplex hybrid.  Mr. Shute was interested in plans that would have the least risk involved.  Chairperson Novak suggested the owner have an architect use the Borough’s zoning code and work with the zoning officer, but he felt the Board could not provide any more input during an informal hearing.

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
.
Mike Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, asked what will happen now that the Board passed the resolution on FAR.  Chairperson Novak explained that the Planning Board secretary will forward a copy of the resolution to the Governing Body.  It is up to the Governing Body to decide if it would like to act on the Board’s recommendation.

ADJOURNMENT:  On motion of Dick Rigby, seconded by Mark Kulkowitz, and carried by unanimous voice vote, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:44 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine L. Wallace