Planning Board Upholds Denial of Non-Conforming Porch Balusters at 134 Ridgewood Avenue in Annual Organizational Meeting

At its January 17, 2018 organizational meeting, with Chair Mason absent, Acting Chair Hegarty presided over the re-election of Mason as Chair and Mehrotra as Vice Chair, confirmation of 2018 committee appointments, adoption of bylaws, and approval of the 2018 meeting schedule.

The Board then adopted a memorializing resolution upholding the Historic Preservation Commission's denial of an appeal by Michael and Julia Pensak of 134 Ridgewood Avenue, whose porch balusters, installed during a previously approved addition, did not match the approved plans or receive subcommittee sign-off; the Commission had denied the amended design at its November 1, 2017 meeting, and the Board found it did not satisfy the borough's historic-preservation criteria.

Secretary Zichelli reported that a site plan application for the Mountainside Hospital Redevelopment is expected within the month, and that the Baldwin Street Redevelopment Plan remains under review by the Mayor and Council. No public comment was made.