Page 4 • Wednesday , May 11 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette
Planning board OKs Mento property subdivision
PLANNING , from Page 1
The applicants were seeking approval for a lot frontage and side yard variance , and for a minor subdivision .
Attorney Brian Howell represented the applicants , and Sam Mento III appeared to offer testimony .
Howell said the Mentos own both properties in question , which involve two houses — one set back from First Road and one closer to it .
“ What they ’ re asking for tonight is simply a movement of the existing property lines . The current property line that provides the two properties runs from First Road all the way straight back ,” Howell said .
Howell said that there is currently a pad of concrete and a septic system that encroaches over the existing property lines from their yard to the next one .
“ They are in the process of selling that neighboring property , and this is the perfect time , in their opinion , to come forward and readjust the lot line ,” Howell said .
Howell said that neither lot meets the required width of 120 feet .
“ There ’ s nothing that we can do about that , and they ’ re the reasons for the variances ; 117 is the Mento property and 90 for the other , so they ’ re pre-existing ,” Howell said .
Mento offered a history of the property , noting that it formerly belonged to his grandfather .
“ I currently reside in what was , originally , the Mento family homestead — the home that was built by my great-grandfather . As they migrated away from the farm , the farm became building lots ,” Mento said .
Mento said that , when he was growing up , the properties surrounding his were owned by family members .
“ When it ’ s family , it ’ s not that big of a deal to have a septic tank come on through , or you have a little bit extra concrete on the other side of the property line ; it really didn ’ t matter . But now , things have changed through the years and we ’ re looking to sell my grandfather ’ s house ,” Mento said .
Before doing so , Mento said , he wished to address the property line issues .
“ I know how things can change with neighbors ,” Mento said .
Mento said that this is not the first time he has requested lot line adjustments , adding that he had purchased an adjoining property , Lot 12 , many years ago from his cousin Vincent Mento .
“ I was able to fix that up ... we had a lot of old encroachments , shared driveways , but throughout time — my wife and I have been there for 21 years — we ’ ve tried to make a bad situation a little bit better with the property lines ,” Mento said . Mento said that property originally had a lot width of 137 feet .
“ I cut that back , separated the shared driveway — another encroachment — and we increased Lot 11 — my lot — to 117 [ feet ], bringing it — although we did not have the entire 120 — closer to that 120 . Back when they had the subdivision , when my parents had given my grandparents the property , that ’ s when it used to be that 90 feet of frontage was required on First Road ,” Mento said .
Howell asked Mento , if the board approved the application , how close the septic bed would be to the new property line .
“ What kind of a buffer would that create for you ?” Howell said .
Mento responded .
“ I would say between 20 to 25 feet away from the new line in the back ,” Mento said .
Board member Dr . Michael Hozik asked for clarification .
“ So it will be , the entire septic system , including leach field , will be on your new lot ; is that correct ?” Hozik said .
Mento responded in the affirmative .
During discussion , Mento spoke of another benefit of moving the lot lines .
“ This would also enable us to walk around the front side of our house , where currently , right now , where this line comes so close there ’ s a fence and a piece of concrete where we technically can ’ t walk around our house and stay on our property ,” Mento said .
Town engineer Mark Herrmann , of Adams , Rehmann and Heggan Associates ( ARH ), offered his comments .
“ Everything ’ s in order . My only question pertained to the septic system and how it was located to the new property line to make sure you had adequate separation to the line , as well as for maintenance . Per Mr . Howell ’ s testimony , I ’ m satisfied that they have enough room ,” Herrmann said .
Town planner Stuart Wiser , also of ARH , then spoke .
“ Our report finds the need for two variances ; both are for lot width that are measured along the building setback line . Where 120 feet is required , one lot — Lot 11 — is 117-and-a-half feet ; the other lot , 11.01 , is 90 feet . Both are pre-existing nonconformities that are not being caused by , or made worse by , the proposed actions here this evening ,” Wiser said .
Board solicitor Joseph P . Mc- Groarty advised the board of the necessary action .
“ We need a motion to approve the minor subdivision of Lot 11 and 11.01 , where in the lot line of Lot 11 will be moved onto 11.01 , extending Lot 11 and reducing Lot 11.01 . We need two C-Variances for pre-existing conditions for lot frontage ,” McGroarty said .
Board member Michael Pullia made the motion , which Hozik seconded .
The application was approved unanimously , with board member Raymond Scipione recusing himself .
In other business , the board entertained the following resolution :
• Hammonton Independent Vol . Fire Co No . 2 , Application No . 12- 21PB — C-Variance relief at 51 N . White Horse Pike , Block 4601 / Lot 27 . Applicant was approved to replace the current , outdated sign with an electrical message board sign in order to provide information about events , fundraisers and activities to the public in an efficient and effective manner . The resolution was adopted . Before the conclusion of the meeting , Wiser addressed the board regarding an upcoming matter .
“ A couple of meetings ago , you adopted a resolution directing us to prepare a redevelopment investigation for properties roughly at 11th and Washington . We have done that . You have now before you a report of our findings ,” Wiser said .
Wiser said that the report is tentatively scheduled to be heard at the June 1 meeting of the planning board .
“ I will put on a short presentation as to what our findings are . You will be asked then to vote as to whether you would recommend that the three lots in question conform with the statutory criteria for a redevelopment area under the state law ,” Wiser said .
That recommendation , Wiser said , would then go to town council for a formal designation .
“ We anticipate having a draft resolution ready that night to be voted on . The town has sort of indicated to us that time is of the essence . So , rather than have that lapse until the next meeting , we ’ ll have a draft resolution for you . Any changes to that resolution that might occur during the course of the hearing we can skip out to a printer . I ’ ll have it on my laptop , make a quick change and get it back to you ,” Wiser said .
Board chairman Ed Marinelli asked if the meeting would be open to the public , and Wiser replied .
“ It is open to the public . The reason we can ’ t have the hearing quicker is because there are extended notice requirements under state law that have to be followed . It is open to the public ; there will be mailed notice . There will also be notice in the newspaper ,” Wiser said . Marinelli inquired further . “ Will the public be able to participate ?” he said . Wiser responded . “ They will ,” Wiser said . The planning board regularly holds meetings on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7 p . m . The next meeting is scheduled to be held June 1 .
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