February 3, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Fowl issue delayed again at attorney’s request by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Board of Adjustment has granted another request to delay the public hearing on an application that seeks the board’s confirmation that a string of wooden coops on a Lakeview Drive property predates the township’s zoning ordinance. The request for a postponement was made by George Cotz, the attorney who represents property owner Rommel Mondejar and tenant John DeMarino, because only five members of the board were present to hold a hearing on the matter. “It is in my clients’ best interest to have a full quorum,” Cotz told Zoning Board Chairman George Cimis. The chairman responded that he could not guarantee a full complement of the board at any meeting. He advised Cotz that one of the board members would not be present at a board meeting until April. Nevertheless, Cimis agreed to reschedule the public hearing for Feb. 17 with the understanding that the full board will not be present at that meeting. Cotz agreed, explaining that seven members of the board would be reasonable whether or not they are members or alternates. Mondejar and DeMarino allegedly have about 500 roosters and hens in the coops, which are currently within five feet of the property line in violation of the township’s zoning ordinance. They claim the ordinance does not apply to them because their use of the property predates the zoning regulations. They have previously been in municipal court on several occasions in response to summonses issued to them by John Lane, the township’s former property maintenance officer, and by Thomas Mulvey, the current zoning and property maintenance inspector. The summonses were reportedly issued in response to complaints by neighbors of the property. The court hearings were adjourned several times at Cotz’s request but, ultimately, Municipal Court Judge Anthony Gianni agreed to allow Cotz to apply to the zoning board for an interpretation of the zoning ordinance. When the matter first came before the board in October, Cotz argued that the ordinance requiring a setback from the property line became effective in 1977, and his clients’ use predates that ordinance. The attorney claims there was no prior ordinance requiring that setback. When asked why the coops could not be kept away from the property line, Cotz told the board that allowing them to be located up to the property line facilitates the use of the coops. He also claimed that the coops are frequently move d s o t h ey a r e not “s t r u c t u r e s” (continued on page 15) Happy Valentine’s Day ���������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������� ��������������������� �������� �������� ������������ ����������� ��������� ����� ���������� ������������ S easons ... for Valentine’s Day All Chocolate Covered Strawberries Milk or Dark Starting Feb. 12th ��������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� Flower Arrangements PRE-ORDER TODAY We Deliver! ��������������������� ���������������������� GRAND ReOPENING ���������������������������������������������� ������������������� Hamilton Square Shopping Center 140 Franklin Tpke, Waldwick • 201-251-7577 Is hearing loss dragging you down? 2-3-10 Mike/Janine AllSeasonsValentine3x3BW(2-3-10) 3x3 Rev. 1 Visit our office and try Dual for FREE! Call 201-934-7755 We Welcome you to our new location today to learn more. © 2008 Oticon, Inc. All rights reserved. 72 W ALLENDALE AVE FEBRUARY 4-FEBRUARY6 Dual: Engineered for performance, designed for style. Dual is the most advanced hearing instrument on the market today. It helps you move beyond the frustrations of hearing loss, so you can experience life with the clearest, most comfortable and natural hearing possible in any listening situation. � The ultimate combination of state-of-the-art technology with a sleek design you want to wear ��Understand what others are saying in noisy situations � Use the telephone with ease and convenience � Watch TV at the same volume as everyone else It’s a hearing device you’ll really love to wear. 119 Interstate Shopping Center, Ramsey, New Jersey Intersection of Route 17 & Franklin Turnpike RECEIVE 20% OFF ANY IN STORE ITEM ENTER TO WIN AN ARRANGEMENT DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME, ONCE A WEEK FOR A MONTH COMPLIMENTARY REFRESHMENTS ADVANCED HEARING SERVICES, INC. Thomas J. Higgins, BC-HIS*, ACA** www.HearNJ.com Fresh Florals Blooming & Green Plants Custom Silks Weddings Events Seda France Candles www.allendaleflowers.com 201.327.9389 Supervising Licence. NJ Hearing Aid Dispenser * Licence # 743 Member International Hearing Society *Board Certified by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences. **American Conference of Audioprosthology