# Eric Wokas v. Christopher Mattina

> New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division · January 7, 2025

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10776296

## Case

- **Court:** New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division
- **Decided:** January 7, 2025
- **Precedential status:** Unpublished
- **Opinion:** Opinion
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

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## Opinion text

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE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-2915-22

ERIC WOKAS,

Plaintiff-Appellant,

v.

CHRISTOPHER MATTINA,
ROSEMARIE MATTINA,
BOROUGH OF HIGHLANDS
LAND USE BOARD, DARREN
KAPLAN, and MARISSA
KAPLAN, h/w,

Defendants-Respondents.
___________________________

Argued April 24, 2024 — Decided January 7, 2025

Before Judges Gummer and Walcott-Henderson.

On appeal from the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law
Division, Monmouth County, Docket No. L-1016-22.

Daniel J. O'Hern, Jr. argued the cause for appellant
(Byrnes, O'Hern & Heugle, LLC, attorneys; Daniel J.
O'Hern, Jr., on the briefs).
Thomas J. Hirsch argued the cause for respondents
Christopher Mattina, Rosemarie Mattina, Darren
Kaplan, and Marissa Kaplan.

Ronald D. Cucchiaro argued the cause for respondent
Borough of Highlands Land Use Board (Weiner Law
Group, LLP, attorneys; Ronald D. Cucchiaro, of
counsel and on the brief; Richard Brigliadoro and
Steven R. Tombalakian, on the brief).

The opinion of the court was delivered by

WALCOTT-HENDERSON, J.S.C. (temporarily assigned).

Plaintiff Erik Wokas appeals from an April 17, 2023 Law Division

judgment affirming the decision of defendant the Borough of Highlands Land

Use Board (the Board), granting the application of defendants Christopher and

Rosemarie Mattina (the Mattinas) 1 for a minor subdivision with ancillary

variances and design waivers under the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL),

N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 to -163. In the application the Mattinas proposed to

reconfigure two previously subdivided lots located in the Borough of Highlands

into two newly configured lots and sought other variance relief — specifically

(c) type variances — to construct on one of the lots a single-family dwelling

with a driveway to be built up a steep slope and over an easement located on the

1
When referring to the Mattinas individually, we use their first names for clarity
because they share a last name. In doing so, we mean no disrespect.
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2
other lot. Plaintiff contends the court erred by affirming the Board's decision

and dismissing with prejudice his complaint in lieu of prerogative writs. We

affirm.

I.

The Mattinas own property located at 149 Portland Road (the Property),

known as Block 12, Lots 4.01 and 4.02. Plaintiff owns property adjacent to the

Mattinas's property, known as Block 12, Lot 5. The Property is within the R-

1.03 single family residential zone, was originally designated as Lot 4, and was

subdivided into two lots, Lots 4.01 and 4.02, in 1992. The Mattinas bought both

lots in 2020 and planned to rent out the house on Lot 4.01 and sell Lot 4.02 to

defendants Darren and Marissa Kaplan (the Kaplans), who wanted to build a

single-family home on Lot 4.02.

Because of the proposed design, the house to be built on Lot 4.02 would

be landlocked on a steep incline with no frontage on a street. To access the

proposed home on Lot 4.02, the Mattinas proposed a zig-zagging access

driveway over an easement on Lot 4.01. The construction of the driveway,

however, would result in a substantial steep slope disturbance in violation of a

local ordinance.

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In October 2022, the Mattinas applied to the Board to create a minor

subdivision to modify the existing lot lines of Lots 4.01 and 4.02. As proposed

Lot 4.01 would become slightly smaller and contain 10,058 square feet with

frontage along Portland Road, while Lot 4.02 would contain 27,850 square feet

and lose its frontage on Portland Road. To construct the access driveway, the

Mattinas also sought variance relief from the Board. The Mattinas argue that

without variance relief from the Board, "Lot 4.02 will be zoned into inutility."

The variances requested for Lot 4.01 related to the dimensions of the

property, lot disturbance, and the slope. The variances for Lot 4.02 related to

the dimensions of the property and lot disturbance. Lot 4.01 already had an

access easement over Lot 3.01, which is also owned by the Mattinas.

In 2009, after Lot 4.01 and 4.02 had been created, the Borough of

Highlands adopted a steep slope ordinance requiring a slope area permit for any

significant work, such as building a house or driveway, that would disturb a

slope of ten percent or more. See Highlands, N.J., Code § 21-84B (2009)

(amended 2022).

On January 22, 2022, notice of the public hearing on the Mattinas's

application for variance relief was published in the Asbury Park Press, more

than ten days before the public hearing, stating "[a]pplicant proposes to

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subdivide two existing lots in Block 12 into two new lots which are referred to

as proposed Lot 4.01 and proposed Lot 4.02." The variances requested for the

proposed lots were separately listed. The record also reflects that on this same

date, a representative of the Mattinas filed an affidavit attesting to the fact that

notice had been served upon property owners within 200 feet of the "affected

property."

On February 10, 2022, the Board held a public hearing during which

several witnesses testified, including: Christopher; Keith Cahill, the Mattinas's

project engineer and expert witness; Jason Hanrahan, the lead project designer;

and several members of the public. Plaintiff did not offer any testimony during

this hearing.

Testimony of Christopher Mattina

Christopher testified that before purchasing the property he was aware that

Lot 4 consisted of two separate lots and that Lot 4.01 had a vacant house on the

Property. He also testified about his plan to rent the building on Lot 4.01 and

sell the vacant Lot 4.02 to the Kaplans, who would build a house on the lot. He

recounted that he had become aware of the steep slope ordinance during the

process of finding a buyer for Lot 4.02.

Testimony of Keith Cahill

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Cahill testified about the need for and proposed design of the driveway

that would zig-zag from north to south up to the proposed building on Lot 4.02.

He concluded that while the proposed zig-zagged property line would result in

Lot 4.02 having no frontage, "the legal agreements between the current property

owner and the future property owner [would] allows access" via the proposed

driveway.

He described the difficulties in planning a driveway for Lot 4.02 and

explained that "we can't create a driveway straight up that hill [because] it would

be approximately [thirty-five] percent slope straight up. We can't . . . construct

something like that. So[,] we have to do [a]. . . kind of a zig-zag." Cahill further

explained the original 1992 subdivision occurred before the steep slope

ordinance was created. He testified that he had considered the accessibility of

each lot, the maintenance of property lines, and the landscaping of both

properties and concluded the suggested easement arrangement was the most

practical option.

Cahill further testified that he had considered other options, such as using

the access easement Lot 4.01 had on Lot 3 or adjusting the location of the house

on Lot 4.02 but did not find these to be viable options. The proposed subdivision

was, in his opinion, the best option to "preserve more land, cut down less trees,

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[and] try to comply with [the Borough's] steep slope ordinance." Cahill

recognized the challenges the property owner would have when navigating the

zig-zag driveway but testified the proposal is "a cost[-]effective solution" that

would "minimize the overall impact [on] the land." He testified the driveway

would include a retaining wall and be split into a south and north side. The

north side, which would include the driveway and grass area, would be

maintained by the owners of Lot 4.02, while the south side would be maintained

by Lot 4.01. He also assured the Board that:

I, as the one who has to sign and seal this plan on the
bottom right-hand corner, am comfortable that the
design is safe. Yes, it's steep. Yes, it has turns. But
I'm not concerned about that. It's an element that every
property owner along Portland Road has to deal with,
and has.

And I think now with your ordinances and the design
criteria and being under today's standards, it will be
done in a much safer and controlled manner than what
you may have in the past, or houses that were built years
ago before the regulations that were in place. So that's
the obligation of the engineers and the professionals to
come up with a safe design. And that's what we'll do.

Cahill also compared the proposed plan to Lot 5, which is owned by

plaintiff, and noted the similar "tightness of the road, utilities along the front,

and their driveways and slope and the challenge that they've encountered." He

noted "they also have that same driveway that jumps up. And when you see our

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design, we're just mirroring it." He noted two other nearby residential properties

that have similar slope and grade challenges and concluded that the proposal

would be "similar in aesthetics."

Apart from the steep slope issue, Cahill also addressed the environmental

concerns, including erosion and storm-water runoff. He testified that the

Mattinas needed to get permits "to show that [they were] not going to create a

problem." He also testified storm water could be controlled through "porous

pavement on the patios" to return water to the ground and prevent "sliding and

things of that nature" and told the Board he was working with the Borough

engineer to ensure appropriate water collection and discharge to prevent or

minimize erosion and that he had proposed using underground pipes and a

discharge point at the bottom of the slope with a sump pump.

Testimony of Jason Hanrahan

Hanrahan is the owner of Mode Architects, the company that prepared the

architectural drawings for the proposed home on Lot 4.02. Hanrahan described

the proposed home as an approximately 4,000 square foot building with a lower

level that, due to the slope of the hill, would be mostly below ground with access

in the front.

Public Comment

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Several neighbors testified in opposition to the Mattinas's application,

expressing concern about storm-water management, erosion and drainage. One

individual noted that over the forty-five years she had lived across from the

Property, she had to put in twenty-two inlets in her own property because "the

velocity and volume of water that is running down [her] driveway into the river

is unbelievable." Other neighbors testified about the impact the proposed

construction would have on the character of the neighborhood, including that:

the driveway "is going to be a blind exit onto the street and that is problematic";

Lot 4.01 was created as a flag lot "to have an address that fronted on Portland

Road, not to create an entrance to the property"; and the proposal would create

an undersized lot.

The Board's Decision

On March 10, 2022, the Board issued a resolution granting the application

for the minor subdivision and ancillary bulk relief requested. The Board found

the Mattinas had satisfied the criteria needed to grant variance relief and that the

denial of that relief "would result in an undevelopable lot which is a taking

which would require the Borough to purchase the property . . . ." The Board

moved on to examine the positive and negative criteria for the resolution, finding

both criteria satisfied. See Price v. Himeji, LLC, 214 N.J. 263, 285 (2013) ("We

A-2915-22
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have explained that the MLUL 'requires an applicant to prove both positive and

negative criteria to obtain a use variance.'") (quoting Smart SMR of N.Y., Inc.

v. Fair Lawn Bd. of Adjustment, 152 N.J. 309, 323 (1998)).

The Board imposed conditions, including "strict compliance with . . . the

plans and drawings" submitted, as well as any recommendations contained in

the Board's professionals' reports, the submission of an access easement and

maintenance agreement for the Board's review, "Plot Plan" approval, and

payment of all applicable fees.

Plaintiff filed a complaint in lieu of prerogative writs against the Mattinas,

the Board, and the Kaplans on April 12, 2022, challenging the Board's ruling,

arguing the Board failed to articulate the proofs for the (c)(1) and (c)(2)

variances granted and to properly address the negative and positive criteria for

the requested variances and the Board granted the variance relief only because

it believed to do otherwise would constitute a taking. Plaintiff also alleged that

the Mattinas failed to present adequate proofs of the positive and negative

criteria, to establish a hardship, and to "produce competent and reliable evidence

to demonstrate that the granting of the approval would not create a substantial

detriment to [p]laintiff and the public good." Further, plaintiff alleged

defendants' public notice failed to properly describe "the nature of the matter to

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be considered" and was therefore legally deficient and that, as a consequence,

the Board lacked jurisdiction to hear that part of the application and thus its

approval is a "nullity." Plaintiff also alleged the Board did not have jurisdiction

to consider the Mattinas's application as a (d)(1) variance because the proposed

driveway serving Lot 4.02 constitutes a second principal use on Lot 4.01, and

having two principal uses requires a (d) variance.

The Decision of the Trial Court

After hearing argument, the court issued a comprehensive and well-

reasoned oral opinion. The court acknowledged that the Property had been

previously approved as a minor subdivision in 1992 and that the zoning

requirements were subsequently amended in 2009. The court noted the

Mattinas's proposed minor subdivision of the property would create two new

lots: one with a new two-story single-family dwelling on the single-family

dwelling on Lot 4.02 and that in addition to seeking approval for the minor

subdivision under the MLUL defendant also sought various "(c)" variance relief.

Reviewing the Board's decision, the court noted that decisions on land-

use applications are entrusted to the sound discretion of Board because of the

Board's particular knowledge of local conditions and determined that the Board's

factual findings were entitled to substantial deference. The court addressed the

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positive and negative criteria as discussed by the Board and concluded that with

regard to the merits of the application, plaintiff had the burden to demonstrate

that the Board's decision was arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable and that

plaintiff did not meet that standard.

The court disagreed with plaintiff on whether the proposed access

driveway was a principal use requiring a (d)(1) use variance. Plaintiff argued

such a driveway was an impermissible second principal use because permitted

and principal uses do not include driveways meant to service other lots. The

court concluded the "access drive in this matter is obviously customary and

incidental to a single-family home. The approval does not exclude the owners

and residents of [L]ot 4.02 from using the drive as well." The court considered

the plain meaning of the ordinance and stated "the definition of accessory states

that such a structure is generally located on the same lot with same such

principal building or use," which is the case with the driveway at issue. The

court concluded that there was substantial evidence in the record to support the

grant of the variance relief and the application as sought by defendants.

Regarding plaintiff's argument that the Mattinas's notice of the public

hearing to neighboring property owners was deficient, the court concluded that

the public notice advised members of the public generally of the application.

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The court also concluded that no further notice was necessary to property owners

within 200 feet of Lot 3.01 because the application did not implicate Lot 3.01

and property owners residing within 200 feet of that lot.

II.

Plaintiff appeals, arguing: the court erred in ruling the proposed driveway

on Lot 4.01 was not a principal use requiring a (d)(1) variance; the Mattinas

were not required to provide an application or public notice for a permit pursuant

to N.J.S.A. 40D:55D-35 and 40:55D-36; notice was not required for property

owners located within 200 feet of Lot 3.01; the Mattinas had satisfied the criteria

for the grant of (c)(1) and (c)(2) variances; and the Board's approval "was not

based upon the fact that the Board's attorney advised the Board that the denial

of the application would result in a compensable taking."

III.

We note that a local land use board's factual findings are entitled to

substantial deference and presumed to be valid because the local board has

"peculiar knowledge of local conditions." Grubbs v. Slothower, 389 N.J. Super.

377, 382 (2007) (quoting Burbridge v. Mine Hill Twp., 117 N.J. 376, 385

(1990)).

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However, a board's conclusion of law is subject to de novo review.

Grubbs, 389 N.J. Super. at 383 (citing Wyzykowski v. Rizas, 132 N.J. 509, 518

(1993); Adams v. DelMonte, 309 N.J. Super 572, 583 (App. Div. 1998)). Even

under de novo review, however, a reviewing court must "recognize the board's

knowledge of local circumstances and accord deference to its interpretation."

Fallone Props., LLC v. Bethlehem Twp. Planning Bd., 369 N.J. Super. 552, 562

(App. Div. 2004). The question of whether a variance is needed at all is "purely

a question of law" and therefore subject to de novo review. Nuckel v. Borough

of Little Ferry Planning Bd., 208 N.J. 95, 102 (2011) (quoting Fallone Props,

369 N.J. Super. at 561).

"[T]he meaning of an ordinance's language is a question of law that we

review de novo." Bubis v. Kassin, 184 N.J. 612, 627 (2005). "When reviewing

a trial court's decision regarding the validity of a local board's determination,

'we are bound by the same standards as was the trial court.'" Jacoby v. Zoning

Bd. of Adjustment of Borough of Englewood Cliffs, 442 N.J. Super. 450, 462

(App. Div. 2015) (quoting Fallone Props., LLC v. Bethlehem Twp. Plan. Bd.,

369 N.J. Super. 552, 562 (App. Div. 2004)).

This issue of whether notice of a public hearing was sufficient is a

question of fact and is subject to the arbitrary-and-capricious standard. Davidow

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v. Bd. of Adjustment, 123 N.J. Super. 162, 166 (App. Div. 1973). However, the

question of whether notice was required is a question of law and should be

reviewed de novo. Grubbs, 389 N.J. Super. at 383.

A.

Plaintiff contends the court erred in ruling that the proposed access

driveway "was not a second impermissible principal use on the existing Lot

4.01." Plaintiff argues that the proposed access driveway solely serving Lot

4.02 located on Lot 4.01 required a (d)(1) use variance because the proposed

driveway is an impermissible second principal use on proposed Lot 4.01.

Plaintiff cites to Nuckel, 208 N.J. at 104, where our Supreme Court

addressed whether a developer who proposed to merge several existing lots to

construct a hotel and place a driveway, with access to a nearby highway, across

a different, undersized lot that housed an auto-body shop, was required to obtain

variances under the MLUL. Id. at 97-98. There, the Court noted that the local

land use code defined an accessory use as one which is "customarily incidental

and subordinate to the principal use of a lot or building and which is located on

the same lot." Id. at 98. The Court reasoned that the language in the code meant

the driveway could be characterized as a new principal hotel use, not an

accessory use since it was on a different lot, and because that lot already had a

A-2915-22
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principal use, an auto-body repair shop, this second principal use required a

(d)(1) variance. Id. at 105. The Mattinas challenge plaintiff's reliance on

Nuckel, arguing that the facts in that case are "very different than the facts

related to the minor subdivision that was approved by the Board" in this case.

Section 21-8 of the Highlands Code defines "accessory" as:

a building, structure or use which is clearly incidental
or subordinate to the principal building or use and
generally located on the same lot with such principal
building or use. Any accessory building attached to a
principal building is deemed to be a part of such
principal building in applying the bulk regulations to
such accessory building.

[Highlands, N.J., Code § 21-8 (emphasis added).]

The Mattinas argue the plain language of the ordinance supports their

proposition that the accessory use is not required to be confined to the same lot

as the principal use, pointing to the use of the term "generally." We agree that

in interpreting the plain meaning of the ordinance, the term "generally" in the

accessory definition modifies "located on the same lot," and thus, the accessory

use does not strictly need to be on the same lot. Courts must interpret the words

in statutes and regulations "according to their plain meaning." Commc'ns

Workers of Am. v. McCormac, 417 N.J. Super. 412, 426 (Law Div. 2008), aff'd,

417 N.J Super. 341 (App. Div. 2010). When given its plain meaning, it is clear

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an accessory in the Highlands Code § 21-8 is generally, but not necessarily,

located on the same lot as its principal building to which it is an accessory. We

further agree with the court that the Borough of Highlands's Code permits

accessory structures or uses to be "generally located on the same lot with such

principal building or use" unlike in Nuckel where the local ordinance explicitly

defined an accessory use as one "which is located on the same lot." Nuckel, 208

N.J. at 98.

We are further persuaded that the zig-zagging driveway is an accessory

use by our review of the Highlands Zoning Code § 21-85(C), which provides

that permitted principal uses include "single family dwellings, occupied by one

(1) family" and permitted accessory uses include "other accessory uses and

structures incidental to the permitted principal uses." Highlands, N.J., Code §

21-85(C). Because "accessory" is defined as a "structure or use which is clearly

incidental or subordinate to the principal building or use," we conclude the

driveway as proposed by defendants constitutes an accessory under Highlands,

N.J. Code § 21-8. Although driveways are not expressly named as permitted

accessory uses in the Code, "driveways are so ineluctably incidental to any main

structure and so customary for all structures that they are permitted accessory

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structures and uses in every zone." Mountain Hill, L.L.C. v. Zoning Bd. of

Adjustment of Middletown, 403 N.J. Super. 210, 243 (App. Div. 2008).

Based on the plain language of the Code and our review of applicable case

law, we agree that the proposed driveway constitutes an "accessory" use because

it is clearly intended to be incidental or subordinate to the principal building s,

the home on Lots 4.01 and the proposed home on Lot 4.02.

B.

Plaintiff next argues the court erred in holding that defendant was not

required to provide an application or public notice for a permit pursuant to

N.J.S.A. 40D:55D-35 and 40:55D-36, referring to plaintiff's purported failure to

obtain a "planning variance." More particularly, plaintiff states the Mattinas's

application did not mention that proposed Lot 4.02 would have no frontage on a

municipal street and that its access would be limited to a steep drive on an

easement located on Lot 4.01. Plaintiff contends there was no "application for

the permit as required by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-35 and 36, for a proposed Lot 4.02

without frontage on a municipal street."2 Relying on Northgate Condominium

Association v. Borough of Hillsdale Planning Board, 214 N.J. 120 (2013),

2
N.J.S.A. 40:55D-35 provides, "[n]o permit for the erection of any building or
structure shall be issued unless the lot abuts a street giving access to such
proposed building or structure." N.J.S.A. 40:55D-36 addresses appeals.
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plaintiff maintains that because the public notice failed to include that

information, the Board's approval of the application is a "nullity" because "it is

well settled that proper public notice is jurisdictional; and if the notice is not

sufficient any action taken by the Board is a nullity." The Court in Northgate

Condominium Association states "[i]t is a fundamental principal of law that

significant land use decisions require public hearings and that hearings require

prior public notice." Id. at 137-38. "Failure to provide adequate notice, or

proceeding upon defective notice, deprives a land use board of the power to take

any official action and renders null and void any decisions it had made." Id. at

138.

In response, the Mattinas dispute that there was a need for notice of a

planning variance and a construction permit because the proposed design on the

minor subdivision "was going to change frontage for the existing 4.02 flag lot

from ownership to an easement," by agreement between the Mattinas and the

Kaplans. The Mattinas further argue that "[t]he subject application now

involved the entire tract to create a new subdivision and, therefore, create new

lots as new lot lines would now be established." The Mattinas contend that their

notice "spells out in explicit detail the facts that a minor subdivision was sought

for the two existing lots, i.e. Lots 4.01 and 4.02 that would still result in two lots

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and require several variances concerning setbacks and access to [L]ot 4.02

related to the Steep Slope Ordinance." They maintain that notice does not have

to be so specific as to outline every design issue related to the subdivision or

site plan but simply must give the public a fair idea of how the property is going

to be utilized and that their notice accomplished that purpose.

The Board agreed with the Mattinas, concluding that "[o]bviously, the

[Mattinas] . . . did not apply for a construction permit . . . because the proposed

design of the minor subdivision it approved was going to change frontage for

the existing 4.02 flag lot from ownership to an easement."

The court found N.J.S.A. 40:55D-12 did not require notice for a planning

variance. The court further concluded the notice that was submitted by the

Mattinas advised the public sufficiently and described the "substantial impacts

that the project would have on the community" and of the "general nature of the

application."

The issue of whether notice was sufficient is a question of fact and is

subject to the arbitrary-and-capricious standard. Davidow, 123 N.J. Super. at

166. Under the Borough of Highlands's Code, notice of a hearing must be given

to "owners of all real property, as shown on the current tax duplicate, located in

the State and within two hundred (200) feet in all directions of the property

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which is the subject of such hearing." Highlands, N.J., Code § 21-11(B)(1)(b).

Similarly, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-12(b) also requires notice of a public hearing be

given to property owners "within 200 feet in all direction of the property which

is the subject of such hearing" and must:

state the date, time and place of the hearing, the nature
of the matters to be considered and . . . an identification
of property proposed for development by street address,
if any, or by reference to lot and block numbers as
shown on the current tax duplicate in the municipal tax
assessor's office, and the location and times at which
any maps and documents for which approval is sought
are available . . . .

[N.J.S.A. 40:55D-11.]

The purpose of providing such notice is to

ensure that members of the general public who may be
affected by the nature and character of the proposed
development are fairly apprised thereof so that they
may make an informed determination as to whether
they should participate in the hearing or, at the least,
look more closely at the plans and other documents on
file.

[Perlmart of Lacey, Inc v. Lacey Twp. Planning Bd.,
295 N.J. Super. 234, 237-38 (App. Div. 1996).]

"The critical element of such notice has consistently been found to be an

accurate description of what the property will be used for under the application."

Id. at 238. In Perlmart, the plaintiff's notice failed to advise the public that the

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proposed use of the property would be to open a K-Mart shopping center and,

without this information, the court was not convinced "the general public

understood the nature of the application." Id. at 240. In that case, because the

notice was deficient, "the Planning Board lacked jurisdiction to consider the

application." Id. at 241.

Here, the Mattinas stated in their application that they sought in their

application "a better zoning alternative so the lots previously approved by the

subdivision [could] be developed in a new configuration" to accommodate the

proposed home on Lot 4.02. The notice also gave the date, time, and location

of the Board's public meeting and invited any person affected by the application

to attend the meeting and be heard. Although the notice did not specify th e

subdivision sought to make Lot 4.02 more developable for residential use, the

Lot is in a residential zone and would, therefore, presumably be used for

residential purposes absent a clear indication otherwise. Moreover, the notice

stated that "all documents relating to this application may be inspected by the

public" and gave the location and times that these documents would be available.

The attachments to the application, which are part of the record before us,

include the plats and architectural plans showing the proposed house to be built

on the new Lot 4.02 and the driveway.

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Plaintiff faults the Mattinas because they did not "enumerate the need for

a permit in the notice pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-36," but that need did not

exist because a lot without frontage did not exist prior to the Board's approval

of the reconfigured subdivision. N.J.S.A. 40:55D-35 provides that "[n]o permit

for the erection of any building or structure shall be issued unless the lot abuts

a street giving access to such proposed building or structure." However, th e

"power to grant relief from street improvement requirements . . . is limited to

existing lots for which building permits have been applied and does not extend

to lots yet to be created as a result of subdivision approval." Amato v. Randolph

Twp. Planning Bd., 188 N.J. Super. 439, 449 (App. Div. 1982). Thus, "there

was no basis" for the Board to grant relief "for a not yet extant rear lot which

was to be created as a result of the proposed subdivision." Ibid. Plaintiff's

argument was therefore premature. Although the Mattinas would need to apply

for a permit once the reconfigured subdivision was approved, they could not yet

apply for a permit under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-36, and the Board could not grant a

permit to do so. Ibid.

We reject plaintiff's arguments about the notice and find no cause to

disagree with the court's finding that the Mattinas's notice to property owners

"within 200 feet in all direction of the property which is the subject of such

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hearing" was sufficient. Specifically, we note the statute requires notice of

public hearings to all properties within 200 feet of the proposed new boundaries

identified by "common names or other identifiable landmarks," and by lot and

block number. N.J.S.A. 40:55D-62.1. And, we are satisfied, the Mattinas

provided notice of the reconfigured subdivision to property owners within 200

feet of Lots 4.01 and 4.02 as required by the Highlands Code and N.J.S.A.

40:55D-62.1.

Plaintiff next argues the court erred in holding that the subject application

did not implicate Lot 3.01 and that notice was required to the property owners

within 200 feet of that Lot. The Mattinas and Kaplans dispute the need for notice

to be served on properties within 200 feet of Lot 3.01, arguing "the subject

application had absolutely nothing to do with Lot 3.01 or the easement between

Lot 3.01 and Lot 4.01." They contend that the easement already established

vested rights that could not be changed by the Board and could be changed only

by the property owners' agreement and that "the access over [Lot] 3.01 to [Lot]

4.01 was not changing in any manner, and there were no changes on lot 4.01 that

would in any way intensify or change the use of that easement area"; thus, the

notice as provided was legally sufficient.

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The court agreed with the Mattinas that the reconfiguration of Lots 4.01

and 4.02 "did not implicate Lot 3.01 and property owners residing within 200

feet of that Lot, which has no nexus to this application, did not require notice."

Plaintiff relies on Brower Development Corp. v. Planning Board of the

Township of Clinton, in which we held a common-sense interpretation of the

applicable code "dictates that the lots traversed by the [proposed] roadway

become part of the property which was the subject of the Board's hearing." 255

N.J. Super. 262, 270 (App. Div. 1992). The roadway in question in Brower

would have been built over a newly acquired lot and through an easement, and

so nearby property owners "would be significantly affected by its construction

and should have been afforded notice of the Board's hearing." Ibid.

Here, however, the easement and driveway on Lot 3.01 predate the

proposal and are unaffected by it. Under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-12(b), notice of a

hearing should be given to property owners "within 200 feet in all directions of

the property which is the subject of such hearing." Lot 3.01 was not the subject

of the hearing because it would not be affected by the proposed subdivision or

variances. It would continue to exist as it had for decades. Because providing

notice serves to ensure the general public affected by a proposed development

are given the opportunity to oppose the change, Perlmart, 295 N.J. Super. at 237-

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38, where there was no change, there was no need for notice to property owners

within 200 feet of Lot 3.01.

Based on our de novo review, we agree that notice to the property owners

within 200 feet of Lot 3.01 was not required because the record is devoid of any

evidence the Mattinas's application would change the intensity or use of the

easement area between Lots 3.01 and 4.01. Grubbs, 389 N.J. Super. at 383.

C.

Plaintiff next argues the Mattinas presented no credible proofs to the

Board that the grant of the application, which included a substantial deviation

from the steep slope ordinance, advanced any purpose of zoning. Plaintiff

maintains that if anything, "the grant of the application contravenes the purposes

of zoning under the MLUL specifically the environmental and safety purposes

advanced by the sleep steep slope ordinance." And that even though the

Mattinas did not present any expert testimony from a professional planner in

support of their request for the steep slope variance — (c)(2) variance — the

Board found that they "had satisfied the positive criteria pursuant to the 'flexible'

statutory standard" and that the proposed subdivision promotes appropriate

population densities identified in the Borough Code and also replaces a vacant

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lot with an attractive permitted single family home, which promotes a desirable

visual environment.

Plaintiff maintains that the Board's findings of positive criteria are not

based on any specific proofs in the record that the subdivision as proposed

promotes appropriate population densities and a desirable visual environment.

Plaintiff also contends the Mattinas failed to satisfy the negative criteria, which

requires a demonstration that the variance can be granted without substantial

detriment to the public good and will not substantially impair the intent and

purpose of the zone plan and zoning ordinance. N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70. Finally,

plaintiff argues that, under Kaufmann v. Planning Board, 110 N.J. 551, 563

(1988), "no [(c)(2)] variance should be granted when merely the purposes of the

owner will be advanced."

In addressing these arguments, the Mattinas assert that the Board's

decision was not arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable because the Board

considered their proposed new layout for the existing lots, particularly with

respect to its engineering concerns about water runoff. The Mattinas further

maintain that they presented the testimony of an engineer to address the Board's

most critical concern, which was preventing water runoff onto adjoining

properties and ensuring that water "would all be directed in the same manner as

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it was currently directed at a rate that would be acceptable to the Board

engineer."

As to plaintiff's arguments that the Board failed to properly address the

positive and negative criteria, the Mattinas maintain that the driveway design as

proposed and approved shows that there would be no drainage problems or

erosion down the slope and further that "as the Board found in its resolution, it

was not a good zoning alternative to prevent any development on [L]ot 4.02

which was a legally created lot." Additionally, the Mattinas maintain that the

development of Lot 4.02 as a single-family residential lot is permitted by zone

and would have no adverse impact on the surrounding properties, and that the

Borough has had many fully developed properties on very steep slopes, and the

Borough's "technology and engineering" has allowed such development to

happen safely. As to the "negative criteria," the Mattinas argue that the Board

correctly found there that their proposal would not result in a substantial

detriment to surrounding properties or the zoning plan.

The court agreed that "substantial evidence" was presented to the Board

to support its grant of variance relief and found that the plaintiff "cannot satisfy

[its] high burden of proof to set aside the [B]oard's decision."

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The MLUL governs land use and development planning generally and

specifically authorizes zoning boards to grant variances under circumstances

defined in the statute itself. N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d). This statute provides, in

pertinent part, that the Board may:

In particular cases for special reasons, grant a variance
to allow departure from regulations pursuant to article
[eight] of this act to permit . . . a height of a principal
structure which exceeds by [ten] feet or [ten percent]
the maximum height permitted in the district for a
principal structure.

[N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d)(6).]

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.

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

To obtain a (d) variance, an applicant must satisfy the positive and

negative requirements of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d). New York SMSA, L.P. v. Bd.

of Adjustment of Twp. of Weehawken, 370 N.J. Super. 319, 355 (App. Div.

2004). The statute's positive criteria require an applicant to show that "special

reasons" warrant granting of the variance. Grasso v. Borough of Spring Lake

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Heights, 375 N.J. Super. 41, 51 (App. Div. 2004). To satisfy the positive

requirement for a (d)(6) variance, an applicant can show 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." Ibid.

To meet the negative requirement of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(d), an applicant

can demonstrate that the proposed structure 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

of Borough of Englewood Cliffs, 442 N.J. Super. 450, 466 (2015).

Plaintiff argues the hardship here was self-created in 1992 when the lots

were first subdivided, and the original proposed flag lot of Lot 4.02 could not

have a useable driveway due to its steepness. The fact that this subdivision

occurred before the Mattinas acquired the property is irrelevant, argues plaintiff,

citing Cox & Koenig, New Jersey Zoning and Land Use Administration (2022).

The Mattinas maintain the hardship was not "self-created" but rather was created

by the 2009 ordinance, after the original subdivision of the Property in 1992.

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The Board maintains that the expert testimony confirming the Property

could not be developed absent variance relief was sufficient to support its grant

of that relief. They argue, "[t]he decision of the Board finding that the

[Mattinas] had satisfied the negative criteria was neither arbitrary, unreasonable

or capricious and is entitled to an enhanced level of deference, as correctly

recognized by the trial court when affirming the Board's decision."

A planning board is given the authority to "grant such exceptions from the

requirements for site plan approval as may be reasonable and within the general

purpose and intent of the provision" when considering such application.

N.J.S.A. 40:55D-51(b). However, this relief is available only "if the literal

enforcement of one or more provisions of the ordinance is impracticable or will

exact undue hardship because of peculiar conditions pertaining to the land in

question." Ibid.

A showing of undue hardship can be made by sufficient proof of "(a)

exceptional narrowness, shallowness or shape of the property; (b) exceptional

topographic conditions or physical features uniquely affecting the property; or

(c) an exceptional situation uniquely affecting the property or its lawfully

existing structures." Lang v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment of N. Caldwell, 160 N.J.

41, 52 (1999). "[T]he focus of the board's inquiry should be on whether the

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unique property condition relied on by the applicant constitutes the primary

reason why the proposed structure does not conform to the ordinance." Id. at 56

(citing Bressman v. Gash, 131 N.J. 517, 521 (1993)).

However, a hardship variance is dependent on how the hardship was

created. "If an owner who was entitled to a hardship variance sells to a buyer

who is aware of the nonconformity, the buyer does not lose the right to a

variance because of that knowledge." Jock v. Zoning Bd. of Adjustment, 184

N.J. 562, 590 (2005) (citing Harrington Glen, Inc. v. Mun. Bd. of Adjustment of

Leonia, 52 N.J. 22, 28 (1968)). "Likewise, if the prior owner was not entitled

to a hardship variance, that impediment would pass to a buyer, even one who

had no hand in creating the hardship." Ibid. (citing Ketcherick v. Borough of

Mountain Lakes Bd. of Adjustment, 256 N.J. Super. 647 (App. Div. 1992)).

As previously stated, Lot 4 was subdivided in 1992, and the steep slope

ordinance was not adopted until 2009. Under the new ordinance, a slope area

permit would be required for any significant work, such as building a house or

driveway, that would disturb a slope of ten percent or more. Highlands, N.J.,

Code § 21-84B.

We discern the adoption of the 2009 ordinance rendered any previous

discussions of a driveway moot until the owners of Lots 4.01 and 4.02 were

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granted a variance. The Mattinas's application explains why the variance is

required "to construct a driveway to Lot 4.02 pursuant to the previously

approved subdivision plan, would violate requirements of that ordinance," and

that the hardship now faced was "directly related to the topography of the lot

and the adoption of the new slope ordinance." The driveway would have to zig-

zag but also allow for easy access for owners of both lots, and the solution was

the proposed subdivision with the easement over Lot 4.01.

Based on the record, there was ample evidence before the court to find

that "requiring strict compliance with the requirements of the [o]rdinance would

create practicable difficulty in developing the subject Property with a permitted

use." As the Mattinas argue, Lot 4.02 would likely have continued to sit vacant

and undeveloped until a variance was granted.

We reject plaintiff's assertion the Board and the court did not consider the

steep slope ordinance, which was adopted to prevent environmental damage and

to protect the public from natural disasters. This argument is belied by the

record, which shows the Board heard the uncontroverted testimony of Cahill

regarding his attempts to minimize disturbance to the slope and address

environmental concerns, including saving mature trees and managing water

runoff. And, we further reject plaintiff's argument the positive criteria were not

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met in that the application did not advance any purpose of zoning but in fact

"contravenes the purposes of zoning under the MLUL." The Board specifically

addressed this issue when it concluded that the benefits of deviation, including

promoting an appropriate population density, outweighed any detrimental

impact to the public welfare or impairment to the intent and purpose of the

ordinance, given that the property was located in a residential zone.

The Board argues its resolution clearly sets forth its findings of fact and

conclusions of law and that its decision was not "arbitrary, unreasonable or

capricious." Likewise, the Matttinas argue the Board "followed the strict

requirements in the [MLUL] in determining the merits of the bulk C variances

required," appropriately analyzed the negative and positive criteria, and stated

its reasoning in the resolution.

The court agreed with the Board and found substantial evidence in the

record supporting its grant of (c)(1) and (c)(2) variance relief. We agree. The

court found the proposed subdivision "promotes appropriate population

densities identified in the borough code and also replaces a vacant lot with a

single-family home." The court further found that the positive criteria

substantially outweighed the negative criteria because the grant of variance

relief would not "result in additional population density, increased traffic

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beyond what is contemplated by the ordinance, increased noise, or noxious

odors."

D.

Plaintiff next argues "it is clear that the Board's decision to grant the

[a]pplication was heavily influenced by the advice of its attorney that the denial

of the [a]pplication could result in a compensable taking." In support of his

argument, plaintiff cites only to cases that purportedly show that zoning

regulations that limit development for valid environmental or public safety

justification "can only be deemed to required compensation if the regulation

denies, 'all economically beneficial or productive use of the land' or otherwise

goes 'too far' in interfering with the distinct and reasonable investment . . . ."

Plaintiff cites to Gardner v. N.J. Pinelands Commission, 125 N.J. 193, 222

(1991), holding that Pineland regulations limiting the development to one house

per twenty-five acres and farming use do not cause a regulatory taking, in

support of his argument that the "[d]efendant Mattina retains full use of the

combined . . . parcel as it has been used for many years." Stated differently,

plaintiff argues the Mattinas could have combined the two lots for the

development of a larger home on the combined lots, "which would have

eliminated the majority of the variances and problems presented by the

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[a]pplication"; therefore, the Mattina defendants "ha[ve] not been deprived all

of the economically beneficial or productive use of the Property that would

require compensation under the Takings Clause." 3

The Board and the Mattinas dispute plaintiff's contention. The Mattinas

argue that the Board attorney was correct and that denial of the variances "would

eliminate all benefits that [Lot 4.02] had or could potentially have but leaving

all the burdens intact as a separate lot on the tax map."

The court found that neither the Board nor the Mattinas had "stressed the

denial of this application would result in a taking" and that the record was clear

that the Board had considered all the variances needed and the pros and cons of

granting the requested relief. The court found the Board, in reviewing the

application, appropriately and fairly considered the request for variance relief

based upon all of the information it had and found "nothing improper with the

comments of the professionals and/or the [B]oard members and the suggested

3
The Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution, U.S. Const. amend. V., is
applicable to New Jersey through the Fourteenth Amendment, and provides that
"private property [shall not] be taken for public use, without just compensation."
257-261 20th Ave. Realty, LLC v. Roberto, 477 N.J. Super 339, 361 (App. Div.
2023), (quoting Tyler v. Hennepin Cnty. 598 U.S. 631, 637 (2023) certif.
granted, 256 N.J. 535 (2024)).
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threat of a taking did not bias the application." The court further found no

evidence that the approval was "premised upon a suggested taking."

We agree with the court that the Board properly considered a myriad of

issues, including the potential impact of a denial of the Mattinas's application

for minor subdivision approval and variance relief and whether "the result of a

denial where the lot couldn't be developed or further used could result in a

taking," as stated by the Board attorney. However, we reject plaintiff's argument

the court erred in holding that the Board's approval was not improperly

influenced by the Board's attorney advice that the denial of the Mattinas's

application would result in a taking. Plaintiff essentially argues the Board

overemphasized and improperly relied on the fact that if the variances were not

approved, the municipality would be required to compensate the Mattinas for

Lot 4.02. Plaintiff's contention, however, is belied by the record, which as the

court concluded, shows that the Board properly considered all of the relevant

factors prior to making its decision. The Board heard testimony from the

Mattinas' expert, who testified at length regarding the positive and negative

criteria and concluded that the application included sufficient evidence to

support its finding that both positive and negative criteria were met and that the

positive criteria outweighed the negative. Further, the Board imposed

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conditions on the Mattinas, including requiring them to seek approval from the

Board engineer to ensure compliance with all relevant stormwater management

requirements. Thus, we reject plaintiff's arguments to the contrary. Davidow,

123 N.J. Super. at 166.

As previously stated, "[t]he judicial role in reviewing a zoning ordinance

is tightly circumscribed and the ordinance enjoys a strong presumption in favor

of its validity which continues unless overcome by clear showing that it is

arbitrary and unreasonable." Ibid. The court concluded "[c]onsistent with this

deferential authority the Court finds no basis to substitute its judgment for that

of the [B]oard, and there was sufficient credible evidence in the record

supporting this decision." Against this backdrop, we discern plaintiff's

argument is merely speculative and wholly unsupported by the record.

E.

Finally, the Mattinas assert that plaintiff lacks standing to challenge the

validity of the original subdivision that created Lots 4.01 and 4.02 in 1992. They

contend that "[t]o the extent plaintiff's arguments are deemed to be attacking the

validity of the 1992 subdivision that created [L]ots 4.01 and 4.02 as separate,

distinct and legal lots as shown on the tax map of the Borough of Highlands,

plaintiff has no standing to challenge that subdivision." They also maintain the

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timeframe to challenge the Board's action is governed by Rule 4:69-6 and has

long since expired. R. 4:69-6 ("No action in lieu of prerogative writs shall be

commenced later than [forty-five] days after the accrual of the right to the review

. . . ."). The Mattinas also maintain that any challenge by plaintiff is barred by

the equitable doctrines of estoppel and laches, citing Frankel v. C. Burwell, Inc.,

94 N.J. Super. 53 (Cnty. Ct. 1967). "Laches is an equitable doctrine, operating

as an affirmative defense that precludes relief when there is an 'unexplainable

and inexcusable delay' in exercising a right, which results in prejudice to another

party." Fox v. Millman, 210 N.J. 401, 417 (2012) (quoting Cnty. of Morris v.

Fauver, 153 N.J. 80, 105 (1998)).

Plaintiff, in his reply brief, disputed the Mattinas's contention that the

2009 Steep Slope Ordinance created the hardship, arguing instead that "[t]he

adoption of the Steep Slope Ordinance required the need for the variance, but

the hardship was created by the 1992 subdivision because without the

subdivision no driveway would be required up the steep slope to the upper lot

on the subdivided property." Plaintiff further contends that "the hardship on

[d]efendant Mattina[s] was self-imposed," by their purchase of the property, and

the Board and the court erred in finding that the Mattinas had satisfied the

positive criteria under the (c)(1) variance standard.

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We reject plaintiff's argument insofar as it is based on challenges to the

validity of the original subdivision of Lots 4.01 and 4.02 in 1992. Plaintiff does

not dispute that the lots were created nearly two decades ago and based on the

passage of time, we discern any contention that Lots 4.01 and 4.02 were not

lawfully created has long ago been abandoned under Rule 4:69-6. Thus, we

agree with the Mattinas that any challenge to the 1992 subdivision of Lots 4.01

and 4.02 is barred by the doctrines of estoppel and laches.

In sum, based on this record, we see no basis to disturb the court's

affirmance of the Board's decision granting the Mattinas's application for minor

subdivision with ancillary variances and design waivers as to Lots 4.01 and 4.02

was properly supported by the record. See Fallone Props., LLC v. Bethlehem

Twp. Planning Bd., 369 N.J. Super. 552, 562 (App. Div. 2004). Weighing the

positive and negative criteria, we conclude, as did the court, that the substantial

evidence in the record supports the board's grant of the variances and design

waivers. See Sica v. Bd. of Adjustment of Wall, 127 N.J. 152, 166 (1992).

To the extent we have not specifically addressed any of plaintiff's

arguments, we conclude they lack sufficient merit to warrant discussion in a

written opinion. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(E).

Affirmed.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10776296. Public record. Not legal advice.