WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Regular Meeting June 11, 2007
The Washington Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting was called to order by the
Solicitor, Timothy Scaffidi at 7:25 PM.
SUNSHINE LAW
This is a regular meeting of the Washington Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting.
Notice of this meeting was given as required by the Open Public Meetings Act in the Annual
Notice of Meetings. In addition, notice of this meeting was given to the Township Clerk.
 Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
 Roll Call:
Members Present: Mr. D’Orazio, Mr. Gottuso, Mr. Hatala, and Mr. Sauter.
Members Absent: Mr. Garnes, Mr. Imperato, and Mr. Robbins
Alternates Present: Mrs. DiGiulio
Alternates Absent: Mr. Milideo
 Mr. Scaffidi made an announcement that anyone interested in the matters of:
Harbour Plaza, MLG Realty, 288 Egg
Harbor Road, Block 199 Lot 12, Escrow #810, Use Variance. Applicant requested to postpone until July 9, 2007.
 Mr. Scaffidi then swore in all the Professionals
 Applications:
1.
Capriotti, 129 Bethel Mill Road, Block 47 Lot 4.04, Escrow
818, Bulk Variance. The purpose of the application is to obtain a bulk variance to allow for the construction of a new single family dwelling on an

726955725 continued existing lot, which property is located in the Residential (R) Zoning District of Washington Township. In support of the application, the applicant has submitted an application of appeal received at the Planning/Zoning
Department of Washington Township on April 18, 2007. The applicant appeared pro se at the June 11, 2007, regular meeting of the Washington
Township Zoning Board of Adjustment where the applicant presented testimony. At the time of the June 11, 2007, hearing, the applicant presented factual evidence as follows: Rose Ann Jannetti-Mankus of Select Modular
Homes, Inc., located at 1860 North Black Horse Pike, Williamstown, New
Jersey, testified that she is employed by Select Modular Homes, Inc., and is the builder who will be placing the new single family modular dwelling on the vacant lot if the approvals are granted tonight. She further testified that the property is owned by Nunzio Capriotti. The property is and has been vacant land. Mr. Capriotti requires a bulk variance where Ordinance Section 285-
41(8) requires 31,000 square feet and the proposed lot is only 21,000 square feet. In addition, there is a pre-existing non-conforming lot width of 84.6 feet where Ordinance requires 100 feet. Joseph M. Petrongolo, C.L.A., R.L.A.,
P.P., did not submit a written report but made the following comments on the application. Mr. Petrongolo testified that the applicant requires a bulk variance due to an undersized parcel to allow for the construction of a single family dwelling. In addition, Mr. Petrongolo noted that the applicant requires a variance for lot width pursuant to Township Ordinance Section 285-41(6) where 100 feet is required but the existing non-conforming lot is 84.6 feet.
Mr. Petrongolo noted there is no existing structure located on the subject property. Given the location of the property, the applicant will require well and septic approval by the County Health Department. It is noted that the applicant had previously obtained approval for a septic system back in 1976 but never started the actual construction. The applicant proposes the construction of a small ranch residence with a double car garage. Again, the property will require both a well and septic system. The subject house would be located within all other required setbacks. There are adjacent single family residences located on similarly sized lots. Mr. Petrongolo noted there is an existing structure located on Lot 40 which encroaches to a small degree on the subject property. Overall, Mr. Petrongolo noted that he did not see any negative impact on adjacent properties or the surrounding community and that, in effect, this new single family home would constitute an infield property and would be appropriately fitting for the subject property. There were no other reports submitted by the professionals or any comment made
Page 2 of 9

726955725 continued on the subject application by any other professionals. Chairman Hatala questioned whether all property owners within 200 feet of the subject property were properly notified to which the answer was yes. Board Member Gottuso questioned the applicant regarding the encroachment from the adjacent parcel, that being a driveway on the adjacent parcel. The applicant responded that it is an old stone pathway. The applicant agreed as a condition of approval that the stone pathway on the Capriotti property shall be removed with grass planted in place of said stone. The meeting was opened to the public and there was no one in the public who had any comment on the subject application. Mr. Gottuso made a motion to approve the application for a bulk variance of 21,000 square feet where 31,000 square feet is required and lot width variance for a pre-existing condition at 84.6 feet where 100 feet is required to allow for the construction of a single family dwelling with two (2) car garage, be and is hereby approved subject to the following terms and conditions: This approval is conditioned upon the fact that the applicant shall remove the existing old stone pathway located on the applicant's property and said stone pathway to be removed and replanted with grass. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all building permits and any other permits needed to construct the single family residence. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all approvals which are required by other agencies of the Township, County, State or Federal government, including the Gloucester County Planning Board, if necessary/2
Roll call: All in favor. Motion Granted. nd by Mr. D’Orazio.
2.
Scavetta, 333 Chapel Heights Rd., Block 53 lot 18.07, Escrow
#820, Bulk Variance. The purpose of the application is to obtain a bulk variance to allow for the expansion of an existing front porch, which property is located in the Residential (R) Zoning District of Washington Township; and in support of the application, the applicant has submitted an application of appeal received at the Planning/Zoning Department of Washington
Township on May 3, 2007, along with a copy of a Plan of Survey dated June
10, 2002, prepared by AVI Luzon Professional Land Surveyors and signed by
Avi Luzon, P.L.S. The applicant appeared pro se at the June 11, 2007, regular meeting of the Washington Township Zoning Board of Adjustment where the applicant presented testimony. At the time of the June 11, 2007, hearing, the applicant presented factual evidence as follows: Brian Scavetta testified
Page 3 of 9

726955725 continued that he purchased the house approximately five years ago at which point he went into the military. An addition had been started on the house. He also wanted to expand the front porch to the left and right of the residence. He stated that he applied for a zoning permit and was denied and told that he will require a front yard setback variance since the porch overhang and concrete pad extend into the front yard setback. The proposed porch will be open and not used as part of the residence. Joseph M. Petrongolo, C.L.A.,
R.L.A., P.P., did not submit a written report but made the following comments on the application. Mr. Petrongolo stated that the applicant requires a front yard setback variance pursuant to Section 285-41(6) wherein a
50 foot setback is required and the applicant is proposing 43.87 feet. Mr.
Petrongolo noted the property is an existing front yard non-conforming distance. The applicant would be moving forward and, therefore, a little closer to Chapel Heights Road. Also the applicant is making the porch a little wider to the left and right. He indicated again that the open porch will not be occupied or used as part of the residence. There is an adjacent house but the subject property sits back further from other properties. Mr.
Petrongolo noted that this would result in a lesser impact. In fact, one house is located less than 20 feet from Chapel Heights Road. There were no other reports submitted by the professionals or any comments on the applications by any of the professionals. The meeting was opened to the public and no comments were forthcoming on the application. Mr. Gottuso made a motion to approve the application to construct an addition to the existing front porch of the residence which requires a front yard setback of 43.87 feet where 50 feet is required and is conditioned upon the applicant locating and constructing the addition to the porch as indicated on the plan of survey submitted as part of the application and that the porch being opened and not made part of the residential living area. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all building permits and any other permits needed to construct the single family residence. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all approvals which are required by other agencies of the Township, County, State or Federal government, including the Gloucester County Planning Board, if necessary/2 nd by Mr. Sauter. Roll call: All in favor. Motion Granted.
3.
Monaghan, 104 Redmond, Block 110.10 lot 4.01, Escrow #821, Bulk Variance.
The purpose of the application is to obtain a bulk variance to allow for the
Page 4 of 9

726955725 continued extension of an existing one and a half car garage to a two car garage, which property is located in the Planned Residential One (PR-1) Zoning District of
Washington Township. In support of the application, the applicant has submitted an application of appeal received at the Planning/Zoning
Department of Washington Township on May 10, 2007, along with a copy of a
Survey/Plot Plan dated April 1, 2007, prepared by Robert J. Monson, PLS.
The applicant appeared pro se at the June 11, 2007, regular meeting of the
Washington Township Zoning Board of Adjustment where the applicant presented testimony. Kathleen Monaghan testified that she is requesting the
Board to permit her to extend her existing one and a half car garage to a two car garage to allow for her handicapped granddaughter who lives with her to be able to pull her vehicle into the garage for access directly to the house for the child and her equipment. Joseph M. Petrongolo, C.L.A., R.L.A., P.P., did not submit a written report but made the following comments on the application. Mr. Petrongolo noted that the subject property is located in the
PR-1 zone. The applicant proposes to have a 4.2 foot side yard setback where
15 feet is required pursuant to Section 285(56)(A)(8). Mr. Petrongolo noted the applicant's reasons for the variance with respect to the applicant's handicapped granddaughter and the ability to bring her outside of the elements and closer to the entrance for her various equipment including ventilator dependency. He noted there is no parking available on Redwood
Street. The problem has been with the fact that depending upon the weather; the granddaughter must be brought into the house which requires various feeding and breathing apparatus to be carried in as well as a tracheotomy kit.
The equipment that is used is rented and it is important not to destroy it.
The applicant also stated that the other garage would be used for her car.
Again, Mr. Petrongolo noted that the applicant needs to be able to pull the granddaughter's vehicle into the garage to get out of the outside elements.
Mr. Petrongolo questioned whether there is a home located on the adjacent lot 4.02 to which the answer was yes. In response to how close the adjacent house is to the applicant's, the response was that the adjacent house is located closer to the street. The applicant also indicated that the addition to the garage would match the applicant's existing house materials including color and design. Mr. Petrongolo concluded that the applicant proposes a need for the variance to care for a child and, as such, Mr. Petrongolo had no objection. There were no other reports submitted by the professionals nor any comment made on the subject application by any other professionals.
The meeting was opened to the public and there was no one in the public
Page 5 of 9

726955725 continued who had any comment on the subject application. Based on the information above, the Board concludes as follows: The property which is the subject of this application is located in the Planned Residential One (PR-1) Zoning
District of Washington Township, which property is currently the applicant's residence. The applicant is proposing to expand the existing one and a half garage to a two car garage, which project requires a side yard setback variance. The applicant requires bulk variance(s) as follows: A side yard setback of 4.2 feet where 15 feet is required. Mr. Petrongolo concluded that the bulk variance sought by the applicant will not cause a substantial detriment to the public good nor an impairment of the intent and purpose of the zone plan. The grant of the side yard setback variance sought by this application will provide benefits to the Township and the Zone Plan which will outweigh any detriment, if any, to the zoning scheme and Zoning
Ordinances of Washington Township. He further finds that the property in its residential condition, as well as adjacent similarly situated residential properties in the neighborhood, makes this site particularly suited for the use, as proposed. Mr. Sauter made a motion to approve the application for a side yard setback variance of 4.2 feet where 15 feet is required to allow for the expansion of an existing one and a half car garage to a two car garage as depicted on the attached plan of survey, be and is hereby approved subject to the following terms and conditions: This approval is conditioned upon the applicant locating and constructing the addition to the existing garage as indicated on the plan of survey submitted as part of the application. This approval is further conditioned upon the addition construction materials and design matching the existing design of the present property. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all building permits and any other permits needed to construct the single family residence. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all approvals which are required by other agencies of the Township, County,
State or Federal government, including the Gloucester County Planning
Board, if necessary/2
Granted. nd by Mr. Gottuso. Roll call: All in favor. Motion
4.
Di Vigenze, 801 Ellis Jones Road, Block 261 lot 3, Escrow #822, Bulk
Variance. The purpose of the application is to obtain a bulk variance to allow for the addition of a 12 foot by 25 foot sunroom to the rear of the property, which property is located in the Planned Residential One (PR-1) Zoning
District of Washington Township. The applicant has submitted an
Page 6 of 9

726955725 continued application of appeal received at the Planning/Zoning Department of
Washington Township on May 10, 2007, along with a copy of a Survey of
Premises dated December 7, 1976, prepared by Albert N. Floyd, Professional
Land Surveyor. The applicant appeared pro se at the June 11, 2007, regular meeting of the Washington Township Zoning Board of Adjustment where the applicant presented testimony. Daniel DiVigenze testified he has been a resident of Washington Township for the past 30 years. He proposes an addition to his existing house, that being a sunroom to enhance not only the property but the use of his property. The sunroom would be one big room, the exterior to match the existing structure, no bathroom, no kitchen, and no sleeping in said sunroom. Joseph M. Petrongolo, C.L.A., R.L.A., P.P., did not submit a written report but made the following comments on the application. Mr. Petrongolo noted that the applicant requires a rear yard setback of 17 feet where 35 feet is required pursuant to Section 285-56(A)(9).
The applicant will be leaving a rear yard setback of 17 feet. Applicant will be constructing the sunroom on top of the existing brick concrete pad. The applicant lives on a corner property. Also, the applicant has a six foot PVC fence along the rear property line. Mr. Petrongolo concluded that the applicant requires a rear yard setback variance to construct the proposed sunroom which is also buffered by a six foot high fence to the rear property line. Mr. Petrongolo saw no negative impact from the proposed sunroom.
There were no other reports submitted by the professionals nor any comment made on the subject application by any other professionals. The meeting was opened to the public and there was no one in the public who had any comment on the subject application. Mr. Gottuso made a motion to approve the application for a rear yard setback variance of 17 feet where 35 feet is required to allow for the construction of a 12 foot by 25 foot sunroom patio addition on top of the existing concrete pad as indicated on the survey plan submitted with the application, be and is hereby approved subject to the following terms and conditions: This approval is conditioned upon the applicant locating and constructing the 12 foot by 25 foot sunroom patio addition as indicated on the survey submitted as part of the application. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant's sunroom addition shall not have any bathroom facilities, kitchen facilities nor be used as a sleeping area. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all building permits and any other permits needed to construct the sunroom. This approval is further conditioned upon the applicant obtaining any and all approvals which are required by other agencies of the Township,
Page 7 of 9

726955725 continued
County, State or Federal government, including the Gloucester County
Planning Board, if necessary/2 nd by Mr. Sauter. Roll call: All in favor.
Motion Granted.
5.
Maybrook Group, 405 Hurffville-CrossKeys Road, Block 117
Lot 1.04, Escrow # 815, Signage – Mr. Gottuso made a motion to deny without prejudice since applicant did not appear/2
All in favor. Motion carried. nd by Mr. Sauter. Roll call:
6.
Peter Delia, 309 Fries Mill Rd., 85.15/12.01, Escrow #826, Use Variance. Mr.
Delia presented testimony. During the public portion Mr. John Blesi objected and stated he was not properly notified. Mr. Delia did present some service records but stated that the office personnel instructed him to just put the notices in the doors of others on the 200’ list. He was informed by the solicitor that he was to get signatures for those letters but he said the office personnel failed to tell him that. Application postponed to a meeting scheduled for June 25, 2007 at 7:00 PM.
 Motion to open the meeting to the public by Mr. Hatala/2 nd by Mr. Gottuso. Mr. John
Nardiello commented that the meetings should start at time posted and not wait until members appeared. He thanked the members present for their dedication and professionalism but did note that required number of members not being in attendance was causing problems for applicants. Motion to close the meeting to the public by Mr.
Hatala/2 nd by Mr. Gottuso. Voice vote: All in favor.
 Old Business:
 Approval of minutes: Motion to approve May, 2007 by Mr. Mr. Gottuso/2 nd by Mr.
Hatala. Voice vote: All in favor.
 New Business:
 R30-2007 - Manor Care, 378 Fries Mill Road, Block 86 Lot 8,
Escrow #756, Final approval of Site Plan
Page 8 of 9

726955725 continued
 R31-2007 - Hedenberg, 508-522 Delsea Drive, Block 48 lots 2, 3,
4, and 13, Escrow # 1719 - Final approval of Site Plan
 R32-2007 - The Puppy Stop, 138 Fries Mill Road, #2, Block
115.04 Lot 11.07, Escrow # 817, Interpretation of Use.
Motion to Adjourn: Made by Motion by Mr. Hatala/2 nd by Mr. Gottuso. All in favor. No comments or statements regarding this. Meeting adjourned at 9:03 PM
These minutes are a brief summary of the proceedings that took place on 6/11/2007, and should not be taken as verbatim testimony.
Respectfully submitted,
Rose Ann Lafferty
Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary
Cc: Mayor
Business Administrator
Council
Township Clerk
Tax Assessor
Director of Community Development
File
Page 9 of 9