Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 14, 2009 Franklin Lakes Fire damaged home to be reconstructed by Frank J. McMahon The owner of a fire damaged home on Arnold Drive in �������������� ��������������� �������� ������������ ������������ �������� ������������ ��������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ������ ���������� ������������ ��������������������������������������������� Franklin Lakes has received the approval of the borough’s zoning board of adjustment to immediately begin reconstructing his house. The zoning board found that the home owned by Peter Rukaj, was less than 50 percent destroyed by the fire and, therefore, should be considered a reconstruction, which would permit several existing non-conforming conditions on the property to remain on the site. If the board had classified this case as new construction, the borough would have required the elimination of the non-conforming conditions. Rukaj will be permitted to begin the reconstruction before the board approves a memorializing resolution next month, because the resident’s attorney, Ben Cascio, explained that his client had been trying to get a building permit for the reconstruction since April. Casio said personnel changes in the borough’s building and zoning departments delayed the issuance of that permit. Rukaj advised the board that he was running out of time to meet his insurance company’s January deadline to start the reconstruction. He said his insurance company would not continue to pay for his rental home after January 2010. Tibor Latincsics, Rukaj’s professional engineer, and his architect, Fred Klenk, described the plans they prepared in an attempt to obtain an immediate building permit, or to expand the house with the existing non-conformities with a variance for exceeding the permitted height of the roof. One would have eliminated the existing non-conformities, especially the excessive lot coverage of impervious portions of the property, by eliminating the circular driveway and several walkways on the property. The other would reconstruct the house with an addition that would add two bedrooms in the attic and would expand the great room, kitchen, second floor bedrooms, and the existing garage. Latincsics explained that, because the fire began in the basement, Rukaj wanted to add a stairway exit from the basement at the rear of the house but, based on the wording of the borough’s ordinance that determines how the height of the house is calculated, that would require a variance although the height variance would only exist along a small portion of the rear of the house and not be noticeable from the front of the house. Board Chairman Steve DiFlora told Rukaj and Cascio, “You’ve done a good job in presenting your case.” He suggested the alternate plan maintaining the existing non-conformities and with the variance for the roof height was the right plan to approve. The board agreed with him, but added that the conditions recommended by the borough engineer concerning tree removal, septic system approval, soil removal, the roof design, and the matching of the materials on the roof and the façade of the building would be imposed as part of the approval. DiFlora cautioned Rukaj that the new brick added to the façade of the building or the driveway piers could not in any way increase the extension of the building over the foundation or the existing size of the piers or they would have to be taken down. The fire that damaged the house occurred on Dec. 28, 2008 at about 2:37 in the afternoon when borough firefighters were notified of smoke showing from a residential structure on Arnold Drive. �������������� ���������������������� ® ��������������� ����������������� ��������������������� The Franklin Lakes Historical Society will hold an evening of Tea and Tales on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the local history room at the Franklin Lakes Library. Attendees are invited to bring and discuss their old photographs Tea and Tales to be presented at library and memorabilia that have local historical interest. This free event is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The Municipal Alliances of Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff present... A NATION OF WIMPS The High Cost of Invasive Parenting By Hara Estroff Marano (A Special Program for FLOW Parents) ������������������������� � ����������������������������� ������������������������������ ��������������������������� ��������������������������� ����������������������������� ������������������������������ ���������������������������� ������������������������ ����������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������������ ���������������������������� �������������������������� ���� ���������������������������� �������� ���������� ����������� ������������������������������ �������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������ ������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������� �������������������������������������������� Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 7:00PM Ramapo High School Auditorium For further information, call Kathy Scarpelli 201-891-1820 Hara Estroff is Editor-at-large, formerly Editor-in-Chief, of Psychology Today. She has written for many other publications, including The New York Times, Smithsonian, New York, and Wilson Quarterly. A Nation of Wimps, like her previous book, “Why Doesn’t Anybody Like Me?”; A Guide to Raising Socially Confident Kids, emphasizes the value of play. EMMANUEL CANCER FOUNDATION Charity Headquarters Located in Midland Park ��������������������������� ������������������� ���������������������������������������������� ���������������������� All proceeds go to