Court Opinion

ID: 4451367
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-10-30 14:07:26.150297+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:53:20.298839
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                                APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
        This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the
     internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited . R. 1:36-3.

                                                          SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                                          APPELLATE DIVISION
                                                          DOCKET NO. A-4405-15T4

ROBINSON HOLLOWAY,

           Plaintiff-Appellant/
           Cross-Respondent,

v.

THE ZONING BOARD OF
ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY
OF JERSEY CITY,

           Defendant-Respondent,

and

BGT ENTERPRISES, LLC,

     Defendant-Respondent/
     Cross-Appellant.
_____________________________

                    Argued September 26, 2018 – Decided October 30, 2019

                    Before Judges Nugent and Mawla.

                    On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
                    Division, Hudson County, Docket No. L-3862-15.
             Cynthia Amelia Hadjiyannis argued the cause for
             appellant/cross-respondent.

             Vincent J. La Paglia argued the cause for respondent.

             Ira E. Weiner argued the cause for respondent/cross-
             appellant (Beattie Padovano, LLC, attorneys; Ira E.
             Weiner, of counsel and on the briefs; Mariya Gonor, on
             the brief).

      The opinion of the court was delivered by

NUGENT, J.A.D.

      Plaintiff, Robinson Holloway, appeals from a Law Division order that

dismissed with prejudice her complaint in lieu of prerogative writs, in which she

challenged defendant Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Jersey City's

(Board) grant of a development application to defendant BGT Enterprises, LLC

(BGT). BGT cross-appeals from an earlier Law Division order that denied its

motion to dismiss plaintiff's prerogative writs action as untimely.         For the

reasons that follow, we affirm the trial court's dismissal of plaintiff's prerogative

writs action. We dismiss the cross-appeal as moot.

                                         I.

      In February 2015, BGT filed a general development application for

preliminary and final major site plan approval with the Board. Following a

hearing in June of the same year, the Board approved the application b y a five

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to two vote. The Board memorialized its decision in a resolution it adopted on

July 23, 2015.

      On September 14, 2015, plaintiff filed a complaint in lieu of prerogative

writs in which she challenged the Board's approval of BGT's development

application. BGT filed a motion to dismiss the complaint as untimely. The

court denied the motion.     Following further proceedings, the trial court

determined the Board had not acted arbitrarily, capriciously, or unreasonably,

and therefore dismissed the complaint with prejudice. These appeals followed.

      BGT presented the testimony of five witnesses during the hearing on its

development application.     The Board's Planner also testified.     Although

numerous members of the public spoke following BGT's presentatio n, no one

presented any witnesses to refute the testimony and opinions of BGT's experts.

BGT presented the following evidence.

      The subject of BGT'S development application is designated on the City

of Jersey City Tax Map as Block 9901, Lots 7, 8, 9 and 10 (the Property).

Located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Newark Avenue and

Brunswick Street, in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC) zoning district, the

vacant, oddly shaped property, consisting of 9,019 square feet, was once used

as a service station, a use no longer permitted. The NC Zone permits, among

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other uses, retail sales on the ground floor and residential apartments above the

first floor. The property has 110 feet of frontage along Brunswick Street and

166 feet of frontage along Newark Avenue.             Under the applicable zoning

ordinance definition, Brunswick Street is the front property line and Newark

Avenue a side property line.

      The purpose of the NC zoning district, according to the applicable

ordinance, "is to recognize the existence and importance of neighborhood

business districts and promote continued efforts to strengthen and revitalize

them through public-private partnerships." The section describing commercial

building height consists of two subparts. The first limits buildings to "[f]our

stories from grade where on-site parking is not required. (See Parking standards

for NC uses); five stories from grade where on-site parking is required

regardless of whether parking level is below, at, or above grade." The second

sub-section provides that "[m]inimum floor to ceiling height shall be nine feet

for all floors except those devoted to parking; maximum floor to ceiling height

for residential floors shall be twelve . . . feet."

      BGT proposed to develop the Property with a seven-story mixed-use

building consisting of six stories for fifty residential dwelling units over a

ground floor containing 4,895 square feet of commercial space. The proposed

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development also included a residential lobby, bicycle parking for thirty

bicycles, and parking for three "Zipcars." A roof deck and an amenity room

were also proposed on the building's roof for the use of its occupants. To build

its project, BGT required a height variance as well as variances for rear yard

setback, parking, and commercial signage.

      BGT presented the following witnesses to establish that it met the criteria

for the required variances. William J. Groeling, a licensed site remediation

professional, explained that his company's environmental investigation revealed

that two underground storage tanks, a 550-gallon heating oil tank and a 550-

gallon waste oil tank, remained under the Property's surface and had to be

removed.    Excessive amounts of benzene, lead, and tetrachloroethylene

contaminated the subsurface soil and groundwater. To remediate the site, BGT

proposed to remove approximately 350 tons of contaminated soil, replace it with

certified uncontaminated soil, and monitor the groundwater.        According to

Groeling, the groundwater would likely clean itself up once the contamination

from the soil was removed.       In his opinion, the soil was the source of

contamination of the groundwater.

      In addition, BGT proposed to include a vapor barrier. Groeling estimated

that the cost of remediation was between $200,000 and $250,000, at minimum.

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The final cost could increase because no one could predict the cost with certainty

until the excavation and remedial work commenced.

      Rodney Simon, who conducted a geotechnical investigation, including

soil borings to approximately ninety feet, explained that the soil conditions were

so poor "that a deep-foundation system [was] necessary. Piles [were] necessary

on the property." Simon explained the technical aspects of the soil and his

investigation, including why the soil conditions would not permit a typical

"shallow foundation type," consisting of reinforced concrete footings bearing

directly on the ground with a minimum amount of steel reinforcement. Because

a "deep" foundation would be required, the cost of the foundation for the

proposed project would be significantly greater than a project built on a

"shallow" foundation.

      BGT's "expert in architecture," Anthony Vandermark, testified the

anticipated foundation costs would exceed one million dollars. Vandermark also

explained the architectural aesthetics of the building. He explained that the six

residential floors would be constructed "at the minimum [nine] foot floor to

ceiling and the commercial level [would be constructed] at [fourteen] foot floor

to ceiling." He also explained there would be fifty residential units: forty-one

one-bedroom units, twenty-nine of which would have "den space," and nine

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units with either two or three bedrooms. BGT proposed 140 square feet of

signage. Vandermark testified he believed the proposed signage would decrease

"depending on how many actual commercial tenants are going to occupy the

unit."

         BGT's principal testified BGT had entered into a thirty-five year lease,

twenty-five years with two five-year options, for a nearby parking lot. The

leased parking would permit twenty occupants to park from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00

a.m.

         BGT's final witness was Edward Kolling, an acknowledged expert in

planning. Kolling explained that factors impacting the site included its highly

irregular property shape, which made it difficult "in terms of laying out the

building." The soil and environmental conditions added "multiple layers of

hardship." In addition to the odd lot shape and environmental contamination,

an adjacent building had balconies on the property line, thus creating "a zero lot

line, a zero setback."

         Kolling testified that the elimination of a non-conforming use, albeit

abandoned, could be viewed as a benefit to the community because it advances

the purposes of zoning and the intent of the current zone plan. He explained

that although the service station had been vacant a long time, it was an eyesore

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in the community.       BGT's proposed remediation of the environmental

contamination also provided a community benefit and advanced the purposes of

zoning.

      Next, Kolling addressed the variances. He noted the proposed uses were

permitted in the NC Zone. He opined that the avoidance of a severe impact to

the soft soils, remediation of environmental conditions, a design which included

"a light well," and the shape of the property, all supported the height variance.

Conceding the increased height also increased density and intensity of

development, these factors "support[ed] the undue hardships and the extreme

economic conditions that impact[ed] this property in terms of being able to

develop it."

      Kolling noted the added height also could be supported by the building's

larger size, more than 9,000 square feet. Because the property was a corner

location, it had street frontage of 110 and 160 feet, or 270 total feet of street

frontage, "which allows air and light to penetrate it."      Such air and light

penetration would benefit not only the proposed project, but the adjacent

structure as well.

      Kolling noted that the building would not be unique in terms of its height.

A short distance to the west, two buildings were approved "on either side of

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Newark Avenue" as twelve-story buildings. Not far to the east, there existed a

six-story building. Consequently, approving the variance would not result in

any substantial detriment to the intent of the zone plan or to the general welfare.

      Further, according to Kolling, the height of the building would be

mitigated by the project being "a corner property, [and] also by the step-back of

the upper floor and the way the architect has treated that in terms of materials.

There are actually two-step backs on the western side of the property as it

adjoins lot 11."

      In summary, Kolling concluded the height variance could be granted "in

terms of the extreme hardships facing this property and the fact that this property

[could] accommodate the height" without substantial detriment or impact on

either the general welfare or to the zone plan.

      Turning to the rear yard variance, Kolling explained the rear yard runs

perpendicular to Newark Avenue. In actuality, it

            serves as a side property line of lot 11. So having this
            property adjoin the side of the property of lot 11 would
            be appropriate because you would end up with a
            continuous streetscape and street frontage rather than
            gaps, which you don't have in any neighborhood-
            commercial districts, whether it be Newark Avenue
            commercial or Central Avenue or west side.

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Kolling added that maintaining the streetscape was a better approach to urban

design and its benefits would outweigh any detriment.

      Acknowledging the zone required the project to have fifty parking spaces,

Kolling noted that because of the Property's configuration and its narrowness in

certain locations, it could not support parking without completely decimating

the commercial ground floor. Because the purpose of the NC Zone was to

encourage commercial activity and street activity, granting the parking variance

would promote the purposes of zoning as well as the zone plan and would

contribute to the vitality of Newark Avenue. The latter factor, in Kolling's

opinion, contributed to the public good. Kolling added the benefits of granting

the parking variance would outweigh any detriments.

      Kolling also testified that the impact of the parking was further mitigated

by the "Zipcar-like or style facility that would be provided. Those types of cars

are sometimes considered to substitute for anywhere from five to seven to eight

parking spaces." Kolling explained that "not having to have a car, those Zipcars

are available to a larger population. And it would not only be available to

residents of this building, but to the general neighborhood." Kolling considered

this circumstance as additional mitigation. He opined that the additional signage

sought was warranted to help support commercial activity.

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                                      10
      The Board asked Senior Board planner Matthew Ward to explain his

report on the application. The report was admitted into evidence. Ward noted

the difficulties in developing the site, from its irregular dimensions to soil

contamination.   He asserted, however, that the requested variances would

advance the purpose of the NC Zone, and promote "continued efforts to

strengthen and revitalize" the area. Ward added that a variance for parking

would also benefit and help restore the property.

      Based on BGT's presentation, the Board granted its development

application. In its memorializing resolution, the Board found the property

            particularly well suited for the type of mixed-use
            structure proposed and well suited to support the
            proposed height and stories without any substantial
            detrimental impacts because of the large size or the lot,
            its corner location and orientation along Newark
            Avenue, the soil conditions affecting the property, the
            design of the building, and the character of the area.

      The Board noted that the actual height of the building was consistent with

"what is permitted by the NC Zone for similar or alternative permitted uses in

the NC Zone." The Board concluded the proposed development met the intent

and purpose of the zone plan.

      The Board found that the environmental clean-up and condition of the

soils made it "impractical to construct a smaller mixed-use commercial building

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                                      11
from a practical structural perspective and results in a hardship in the

development of this property."      The Board determined that granting the

variances and approving the project would promote the Municipal Land Use

Law in five ways. First, granting the variances would guide the appropriate use

and development of the property as a mixed-use building in a NC Zone, in

keeping with the character of the area and by removing an unsightly vacant and

non-conforming service station that had become a blight on the neighborhood.

Thus, the public health and safety would be promoted through environmental

remediation at the site.

      Second, granting the variances would support the goal of providing

adequate light and air through the provision of a 425 square foot open space on

each of the upper stories, in order to accommodate the balconies constructed on

the adjoining building along the common property line.

      Third, granting the variances would provide sufficient space in an

appropriate location for types of residential and commercial uses according to

their environmental requirements.

      Fourth, granting the variances would promote a desirable visual

environment through removal of an unsightly, vacant service station and its

replacement with an attractive mixed-use structure.

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                                     12
      Last, granting the variances would help shape development of the land

with a view of the cost of such development and provide for the most efficient

use of the land.

      The Board was satisfied that granting the variances would not result in

any substantial detriments to the public good or general welfare. The members

arrived at this conclusion because Newark Avenue is a "mixed-use

commercial/residential area and the proposed building is consistent with the

character of the area, and will provide a positive impact on the area." In this

regard, the Board reiterated that the development would remove a vacant,

abandoned service station building that was an eyesore and a blighting influence

on the area. The Board also repeated the benefit of environmental "mitigation."

      As to parking, the Board concluded there would be no substantial

detriment because any substantial impacts would be mitigated by the provision

for the Zipcars and the parking lease. Concluding that BGT satisfied both the

positive and negative criteria for the variances, the Board granted BGT's

development application.

                                      II.

      Plaintiff argues the Board misapplied the criteria under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-

70(d)(6) when it granted the height variance based on financial hardship.

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                                      13
Plaintiff notes the Board made no finding that a conforming structure could not

be constructed. Instead, the Board emphasized the considerable costs BGT

would be required to incur to remediate the soil contamination and build the

proposed structure on a "deep" foundation. Plaintiff contends with respect to

the Board's finding "that due to soil conditions construction of a conforming

structure would be 'impractical[,]' . . . the word impractical should be read to

mean more costly." Plaintiff adds that the evidence BGT presented to the Board,

specifically its chart entitled "Stories vs. Foundation Cost Comparison,"

establishes "that a conforming [five]-story building can be constructed, but that

it would not be as profitable as a [seven]-story building."

      In addition, plaintiff argues that when a developer is aware of site

conditions when the developer purchases land, the conditions and resulting costs

cannot be considered a hardship. In short, plaintiff argues that a conforming

structure could have been built and been profitable, albeit less profitable than a

seven-story building.

      Plaintiff next contends the trial court's affirmance of the Board's decision

is unsupported by the record.        Moreover, the Board failed to take into

consideration the surrounding neighborhood and the purpose of the height

restriction in the NC zoning district.

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                                         14
      BGT responds that the Board's resolution was supported by substantial

evidence in the record. In its cross-appeal, BGT argues the trial court erred

when it permitted plaintiff to pursue an untimely filed complaint.

      The Board, like BGT, argues that BGT satisfied the positive and negative

criteria for a height variance. The Board also agrees with BGT that the trial

court should have dismissed plaintiff's complaint as untimely.

      In response to BGT's cross-appeal, plaintiff argues that the trial court

properly determined the accrual date for her cause of action, and, alternatively,

that expanding the time for filing a prerogative writs action was an appropriate

exercise of discretion. BGT disputes plaintiff's arguments.

                                        III.

      The Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 to -163,

provides that a board of adjustment shall have the power to:

            In particular cases for special reasons, grant a variance
            to allow departure from regulations pursuant to article
            8 [C.40:55D-62 et seq.] of this act to permit: (1) a use
            or principal structure in a district restricted against such
            use or principal structure, (2) an expansion of a
            nonconforming use, (3) deviation from a specification
            or standard pursuant to section 54 of P.L.1975, c.291
            (C.40:55D-67) pertaining solely to a conditional use,
            (4) an increase in the permitted floor area ratio as
            defined in section 3.1 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-4),
            (5) an increase in the permitted density as defined in
            section 3.1 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-4), except as

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             applied to the required lot area for a lot or lots for
             detached one or two dwelling unit buildings, which lot
             or lots are either an isolated undersized lot or lots
             resulting from a minor subdivision or (6) a height of a
             principal structure which exceeds by 10 feet or 10% the
             maximum height permitted in the district for a principal
             structure. A variance under this subsection shall be
             granted only by affirmative vote of at least five
             members, in the case of a municipal board, or two-
             thirds of the full authorized membership, in the case of
             a regional board, pursuant to article 10 [C.40:55D-77 et
             seq.] of this act.

             [N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d).]

However,

             No variance or other relief may be granted under the
             terms of this section, including a variance or other relief
             involving an inherently beneficial use, without a
             showing that such variance or other relief can be
             granted without substantial detriment to the public good
             and will not substantially impair the intent and the
             purpose of the zone plan and zoning ordinance.

             [Ibid.]

      Thus, generally, an applicant for a (d) variance must show "special

reasons," the statute's positive criteria, and that the variance can be granted

"without substantial detriment to the public good and will not substantially

impair the intent and the purpose of the zone plan," the statute's negative criteria.

Grasso v. Borough of Spring Lake Heights, 375 N.J. Super. 41, 48-49 (App. Div.

2004) (quoting N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d). "The standard for establishing special

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reasons depends on the type of (d) variance at issue." Id. at 49 (citing Cell S. of

N.J., Inc. v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment, 172 N.J. 75, 83 (2002)).

      For a (d)(6) or height variance, an applicant can establish the positive

criteria by demonstrating undue hardship, that is, "the property for which the

variance is sought cannot reasonably accommodate a structure that conforms to,

or only slightly exceeds, the height permitted by the ordinance.            Stated

differently, the applicant for a (d)(6) variance on grounds of hardship must show

that the height restriction in effect prohibits utilization of the property for a

conforming structure." Id. at 51. Alternatively, an applicant can demonstrate

that the proposed structure's height will not offend the zoning ordinance's

purpose for the height restriction and will "nonetheless be consistent with the

surrounding neighborhood." Id. at 53. A zoning board must also "consider the

effect of the proposed height variance on the surrounding municipalities affected

by the decision." Jacoby v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment, 442 N.J. Super. 450, 466

(App. Div. 2015).

                                        A.

      When reviewing a zoning board's decision to grant or deny a development

application, we apply the same principles as the Law Division. D. Lobi Enters.,

Inc. v. Planning/Zoning Bd., 408 N.J. Super. 345, 360 (App. Div. 2009)). A

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"board's decisions enjoy a presumption of validity, and a court may not

substitute its judgment for that of the board unless there has been a clear abuse

of discretion." Price v. Himeji, LLC, 214 N.J. 263, 284 (2013) (citing Cell S.

of N.J., 172 N.J. at 81). "Even if we have some doubt about the wisdom of a

board's action or some part of it, we may not overturn its decision absent an

abuse of discretion." D. Lobi Enters., 408 N.J. Super. at 360 (citing Medici v.

BPR Co., 107 N.J. 1, 15 (1987)). That is so because such boards "are composed

of local citizens who are far more familiar with the municipality's characteristics

and interests and therefore uniquely equipped to resolve such controversies."

First Montclair Partner, L.P. v. Herod Redevelopment I, LLC, 381 N.J. Super.
298, 302 (App. Div. 2005).         Boards have "peculiar knowledge of local

conditions [and] must be allowed wide latitude in their delegated discretion."

Jock v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment, 184 N.J. 562, 597 (2005).

      The burden is on the party challenging a board's decision to show the

decision was arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable. Ten Stary Dom P'ship v.

Mauro, 216 N.J. 16, 33 (2013). "A board acts arbitrarily, capriciously, or

unreasonably if its findings of fact in support of a grant or denial of a variance

are not supported by the record, [Smart SMR of N.Y., Inc. v. Bd. of Adjustment,

152 N.J. 309, 327 (1998)], or if it usurps power reserved to the municipal

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                                       18
governing body or another duly authorized municipal official, Leimann v. Bd.

of Adjustment, 9 N.J. 336, 340 (1952)." Ibid. Moreover, we review a board's

determinations of questions of law de novo. Manalapan Realty, L.P. v. Twp.

Comm. of Manalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378 (1995).

                                        B.

      Applying the legal principles applicable to height variances and our

standard of review, we conclude plaintiff has not proved the Board's decision

was arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable.

      As the Board determined, though perhaps not in the precise language of

relevant cases, BGT demonstrated the building's proposed increased height did

not offend the purpose of the zone's height restriction. The Board found that the

goal of providing adequate light and air had been satisfied by the proposed

building's inclusion of 425 square feet of open space in each of the upper stories,

in order to accommodate the balconies constructed on the adjoining building

along the common property line. Moreover, the Board determined the proposed

structure was well suited to support the proposed height and additional stories

because of the large lot size, its corner location with frontage along two streets,

and its orientation along Newark Avenue.

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      The Board also determined that the actual height of the building was

consistent with heights permitted by the NC Zone for similar or alternative

permitted uses.   As BGT's planning expert pointed out, two development

applications in the vicinity of BGT's proposed project had been approved for

development of twelve-story structures.

      In addition to the foregoing special reasons, which satisfied the enhanced

positive criteria for a (d)(6) variance, the Board found BGT met the positive

criteria for special reasons defined by the general purposes of the MLUL,

codified in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-2. See Burbridge v. Twp. of Mine Hill, 117 N.J.
376, 386 (1990); Medici v. BPR Co., 107 N.J. at 18. The Board determined the

project would result in the removal of the remnants of an unsightly, non -

conforming service station that had become a blight to the neighborhood, as well

as environmental contamination at this site, thus promoting the public health

and safety.   In addition, the Board determined the project would provide

adequate light and air, and sufficient space in an appropriate location for

residential and commercial uses. The project itself would promote a desirable

visual environment not only through the removal of an unsightly, vacated

service station, but also by its replacement with an attractive mixed-use

                                                                        A-4405-15T4
                                      20
structure.   Last, the Board determined the project would provide the most

efficient use of the land.

      Concerning the negative criteria, the Board determined the variances for

the proposed structure could be granted without substantial detriment to the

public good and would not substantially impair the intent and purpose of the

zone plan and zoning ordinance. In that regard, the Board noted that Newark

Avenue was a mixed-use, commercial and residential area, and thus BGT's

proposed project was consistent with the area's character. The Board also

determined the structure would provide a positive impact on the area. The NC

section of the municipal zoning ordinance established the purpose of the district

was "to recognize the existence and importance of neighborhood business

districts and promote continued efforts to strengthen and revitalize them through

public-private partnerships." The Board determined the project would serve this

purpose.

      Moreover, the project was consistent with the surrounding neighborhood

and with the surrounding area. As BGT's planner had pointed out during his

testimony, two other buildings in the vicinity were approved for twelve stories.

      The Board's determination was amply supported by the record and did not

usurp the zoning power reserved to the municipal governing body. Thus, the

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Board's decision to approve BGT's development application was not arbitrary,

capricious, or unreasonable.

      Citing language in the Board's resolution that site soil conditions made

construction of a conforming structure impractical, plaintiff argues the proofs

BGT presented showed only that a conforming structure would be less

profitable, not impractical; an inadequate reason for granting a (d)(6) variance.

Plaintiff also argues the Board made no finding that the height restriction

effectively prohibited utilization of the property for a non-conforming structure,

an omission fatal to its grant of BGT's development application.         Plaintiff

contends that if a developer is aware of site conditions at the time it purchases

property to develop—as BGT was here—the resulting cost cannot be considered

a hardship.

      In view of our determination that BGT presented evidence that satisfied

the alternative criteria for a (d)(6) variance, and that the Board's determination

was thus supported by the record, we need not address whether soil conditions

that render construction of a building below a specified number of stories

economically impractical establish the positive criteria for a (d)(6) variance, or

whether BGT's proofs established such impracticality.

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                                       22
        Plaintiff's remaining arguments—the Board failed to properly apply the

standard for a (d)(6) variance to the surrounding neighborhood, the purpose of

the zone's height restriction is offended, and the Board's decision is not

supported by the record because it is based on a hardship—are without sufficient

merit to warrant further discussion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

        In view of our disposition of plaintiff's appeal, BGT's cross-appeal is

moot.

        Affirmed.

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