The Villadom Times Weekly Newspaper Online-Jul 14, 2010 Issue

July 14, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Fencing plan gains approval by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved a revised fencing plan for a home that is being built on a five-acre property in the R-80 residential zone overlooking Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202). The revised fencing plan calls for a six-foot high Jarith Estate style fence to be installed from the keystone wall on the west side of the property to the Weathervane Court culde-sac at the front of the property and along the front of the property for a distance of about 110 feet, leaving a gap for the driveway and gate, and continuing for about 20 feet to the northeast corner of the property. The property drops off at that point, and a six-foot high vinyl clad chain link fence will be installed from the northeast corner of the property along the eastern sideline of the property for about 270 feet, after which Jarith Estate style fencing will be installed to meet the estate style fencing that exists along the rear line of a lot that fronts on Finn Court. At that point, an eight-foot high vinyl clad chain link fence will be installed along the rear southeastern property line up to the end of the keystone wall that extends to the middle of the southern property line. The original fencing plan requested by the applicant, Vincent LaBarbiera of Kristison Investments, LLC, contained a request for variances to install a six-foot high Jarith Estate style fence along the front of the property on Weathervane Court and for a short distance on the western property line where the township code only allows a four-foot high fence, and an eight-foot high black vinyl clad chain link fence along the eastern and southern property lines where a six-foot high fence is permitted. The eight-foot high chain link fence was proposed in order to prevent deer from jumping over the fence. Prior to the board’s approval of the variance for the sixfoot high estate style fence and the installation of a six-foot high chain link fence along the eastern side of the property, several neighbors objected to the chain link fence proposal. Thomas Kovatch, a neighbor of the property who lives on Finn Court but whose property abuts LaBarbiera’s land, told the zoning board the chain link fence proposed for the eastern property line would effectively put that fence in his front yard. Kovatch said he would feel as though he were in a prison whether the fence was six-feet or eight-feet high. LaBarbiera’s attorney Bruce Whitaker pointed out to Kovatch at the time that his client is permitted to install a six-foot high chain link fence or a six-foot high stockade fence along the side line of his property, which abuts Kovatch’s land. “It may be allowed, but it is not appropriate to devalue my property when it does nothing to add or detract from their property,” Kovatch said. Finn Court neighbor Walter Pfaffenberger also complained about the chain link fence, saying it would not be aesthetically pleasing, especially in the winter, and he did not think it was appropriate. LaBarbiera offered to split the cost of putting plantings in front of the fence if he could get the eight-foot high chain link fence, but the neighbors did not agree to that proposal. He then proceeded with his application for the six-foot high fencing around his property. The Mahwah Regional Chamber of Commerce recently awarded a $1,500 Ramapo College scholarship for the upcoming school year to Breanna Salazar of Randolph. As a beneﬁt to its members, the Chamber offers a scholarship award to Ramapo College every year to any student who is afﬁliated with the Chamber. Additionally, the MRCC donated $2,400 to The DACKKs Group, a non-proﬁt organization dedicated to providing shelter for the homeless in Bergen County. The donation was raised at a Miniature Golf Tournament/Networking event hosted by the Chamber’s Young Professional Network. Top photo: Ramapo College Director of Constituent Relations Kathleen F. Austin, scholarship winner Breanna Salazar, Chamber President Annette Freund, and MRCC Public Relations Committee Vice President Jennifer Watts. Bottom photo: MRCC members Jennifer Davis and Miri Upton, MRCC Director Matthew A. Fromowitz, DACKKs Group President Karen Amy, and MRCC Treasurer Dan Hope. Chamber gives back �� re Fit!�� We a �� Shoes, Sneakers & Sandals Not all sizes or styles All Sales Final • No Coupons No Refunds or Exchanges on Sales Items �� Annual Selected Children’s, Men’s & Women’s Richard A. Cutler® Craig R.�� Cutler, CFP® �� 48 South Franklin Turnpike �� Suite # �� Ramsey, NJ 07446 301, �� 201-934-6400 �� www.lpl.com/cutlerfinancial �� craig.cutler@lpl.com � ��