Opinion ID: 1037073
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Provide adequate light, air and

Text: open space. The Law Division had retained jurisdiction when it remanded the matter to the Board. Thus, Mauro filed a petition with the Law Division to review the January 20, 2010 resolution. Mauro asserted that the denial of the variance was arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable because the findings were inconsistent with the Board’s previous findings. He also 10 contended that the denial of the variance constituted a taking of his property without just compensation. By order dated July 13, 2010, the Law Division affirmed the action of the Board without prejudice. The order provided that Mauro “shall have the right to file a new application with the Board seeking the same or such other relief” to permit development of the property. In his June 17, 2010 oral opinion, the judge determined that Mauro had not carried his burden to establish the negative criteria to support a variance. That is, Mauro failed to carry his burden of proof that reduced frontage would not undermine the zoning plan of the community. The judge further explained that the critical inadequacy of Mauro’s proof concerned drainage. The judge stated: This court finds that the Board’s denial of the application in the face of the absence of critical evidence presented is neither arbitrary nor unreasonable. [Mauro’s] application might have been more persuasive if the only issue was fire safety. Such a denial in the face of relatively uncontroverted testimony might arguably be arbitrary and unreasonable. However, the Board’s denial on the issue of drainage and water displacement is neither arbitrary nor unreasonable. This is because the Board has the legal right to require proofs regarding drainage and water displacement. See Field [v. Mayor & Council of Franklin, 190 N.J. Super. 326 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 95 N.J. 183 (1983);] Morris C[nty.] Fair Hous. [Council v. Boonton Twp., 230 N.J. Super. 345 (App. Div. 1989)]. 11 The judge explained, however, that the denial was without prejudice “because the case in and of itself is relatively unusual and unique in its history.” He reasoned that a new, fully constituted Board should have the opportunity to hear the application anew, address questions to the witnesses, and “determine for itself whether[,] in addition to meeting the safety concerns, the potential flooding in adjacent properties could be adequately addressed by applying reasonable and appropriate engineering principles and design.” The judge also expressed a concern that the remand procedure adopted by the court, which confined the remand to the record compiled in 2007, did not permit “a fair exchange with the Board,” particularly relating to the drainage issues on the site and in the neighborhood.