The primary focus of the meeting was the application for calendar number 3441 for Robin Fu, located at 281-283 Oswald Terrace. Represented by John Sullivan, the applicant proposed to expand a non-conforming use to permit a parking lot associated with the four-family dwelling. The property, situated in the RB zoning district, currently features a gravel driveway in poor condition. The proposal included constructing a six-vehicle parking area on the left side of the dwelling, necessitating a D2 variance due to the deviation from the required number of spaces.

Civil engineer Gio Vanni Manilo provided extensive testimony on the site’s current conditions and the proposed improvements. He detailed the existing non-conformities, such as insufficient lot depth, front yard setback, and height violations, noting that these would remain unchanged. The proposed parking area was described as a “glorified driveway,” with tandem parking spaces assigned to specific tenants through lease agreements to mitigate potential conflicts. Manilo introduced an updated site plan to add a seventh parking space while complying with lot coverage regulations.

Manilo also addressed concerns about drainage, confirming that the existing grading patterns directing water towards Oswald Place would remain unchanged, thus preventing adverse effects on neighboring properties. Despite a neighbor’s concerns about potential runoff issues, Manilo assured the board that the current grading would not exacerbate these problems. The board discussed the importance of ensuring that grading plans would not negatively impact adjacent properties and considered the possibility of installing curbing to contain paving materials and prevent gravel spread.

Paul Glaetz, a licensed professional planner, provided a detailed overview of the project. He emphasized that the existing four-family dwelling was a pre-existing non-conforming use and that the proposal aimed to improve the site by upgrading the parking facilities without increasing the building size or number of units. Glaetz highlighted the benefits of the proposal, including reducing on-street parking demands and improving safety in the narrow one-way street area. He referenced the municipality’s master plan, which supports attractive housing options and the trend towards multi-family housing.

Each member expressed agreement on the potential benefits of the additional space, recognizing that the improvements would help reduce street congestion and improve neighborhood safety. The members also acknowledged the straightforward nature of the proposal and its alignment with community needs.

After extensive discussion and review, the board voted unanimously to approve the application, consistent with the presented resolutions. The resolution will be placed on the agenda for passage on October 9th, with a copy to be sent to the applicant ahead of time.

In addition to the Oswald Terrace proposal, the board also addressed another application, calendar number 3438 for Jeb Foods LLC, located on Indiana Street. The applicant sought to upgrade and repair conjoined garages and subdivide lots. The board reviewed the resolution and, after confirming no comments or requested changes, adopted the resolution unanimously.