HOPEWELL BOROUGH PLANNING UPDATE
By Francis Mahoney
Grudgingly and with some protest Hopewell’s Planning Board, in its capacity as the Zoning Board of Adjustment, decided at its first meeting of the new year to allow plans for a new Hart Avenue home to go forward.
Louis and Kimberley Robotti went before the board for the third time in as many months with a revised vision for their new house, which will replace an older, smaller structure that currently stands at 39 Hart Ave.
Each time the Robottis went before the board prior to the Jan. 5 meeting they listened to the concerns and suggestions offered and came back with revisions reflecting what they believed the board wanted.
They added a front porch and decorative windows. They moved the garage to a basement level and agreed to the landscaping suggestions made by members of the board.
Although the board kept pointing to different areas of difficulty, the Robottis were clearly committed to doing whatever it took to get their home approved. Their persistence finally paid off.
The board, Joseph Zito remarked, "with reluctance agreed that progress has been made." To go back on that, as some members seemed ready to do, would be "counterproductive."
The sticking point for many on the board was the size of the prospective structure.
"I think we’re still ambivalent about how big this house is," said board member Brad Lyon.
Although size is not a problem in itself, the new house is to be built on a relatively small lot, a lot that has a limit to how much house it can hold. The Robottis’ plans exceeded the limit set by the borough and thus they needed to seek special permission to move ahead.
Before granting permission, the board needed to decide whether the proposal met a few criteria, according to the borough’s lawyer. The board needed to consider such questions as whether special circumstances existed and whether the neighborhood would be negatively affected.
At a previous meeting, Kimberley Robotti had explained that her need for extra space stemmed from a desire to start a family and the possibility of her mother coming to live with her and her husband.
As far as disrupting the character of the neighborhood, members of the board pointed out that Hart Avenue is a sort of mish-mash of different building styles, some newer and some much older.
"That’s a crazy street," board member Paul Buda said. "It’s not a typical Hopewell street." Mr. Buda added, "If something like this comes into the middle of town it will be a different discussion."
Board Chairman Robert Donaldson signaled his readiness to accept the Robottis’ proposal when he remarked, "The footprint of the house conforms with the lot."
Soon after, the board unanimously approved the Hart Avenue application.
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IN OTHER BUSINESS, Mr. Donaldson was nominated to remain chairman of the Planning Board. The nomination was then approved unanimously by the other members of the board. Mr. Donaldson went on to nominate Paul Buda as vice chairman. Mr. Buda’s nomination also was passed unanimously.
Planning Board member Abigail Frantz was named mayor’s designee. The position was previously held by member Mark Samse.
On the subject of a zoning ordinance amendment, which had been a subject of contention for at least two prior meetings, board members continued to butt heads.
The amendment pertains to the rehabilitation or rebuilding of preexisting garages in the borough and is designed to make the process easier for residents, as they would not need to come to the board for approval. That is, if the size of the garage remained within certain limits set by the board.
"I want them to come in for the variance," Chairman Donaldson said. He pointed out that when people have to apply for the variance, they are also required to notify their neighbors, which he said was important.
"I just think we’re micro-managing this," Mr. Samse added.
Mr. Buda, who supports the amendment, argued that he wanted to make it easier for residents to do "the right thing."
In the end, the board decided to table the amendment.

