Planning Board denies two proposed subdivisions By maura dowgin Staff Writer KEYPORT — Residents opposed to two subdivisions in their neighborhood were victorious when both proposals were denied. Herbert and Marianne Grandon, 27 Walling Terrace, and Aniello Ventrone, 68 Maple Place, had both asked the Unified Planning Board to subdivide their properties so they could build new housing. Both of the houses would have faced Kearney Street. The zone the houses are in requires a lot size of 5,000 square feet, with 15 feet from the back of the property to the back of the house. The Grandons were seeking a variance because the back yard for the new building would not have been large enough to meet the required size under the Keyport ordinance, said Lawrence Carton, board attorney. The ordinance calls for back yards in the zone to have at least 15 feet. The new house would have had a back yard of only 13.5 feet. The board unanimously approved a memorializing resolution denying the subdivision at its June 26 meeting. The Ventrone subdivision was denied at the June 26 meeting as well. "There’s nothing about the new lot that would create a variance," said Wayne Peck, attorney for Ventrone, during the meeting. Under the current zoning law, Ventrone’s plan to build a new house on the proposed lot is permissible, Carton said. Many neighbors came out in opposition to the subdivisions. "Subdividing this would not be in harmony with the neighborhood," said resident John VanSweden. The neighborhood is known for large lots and large houses. Building a smaller house on a smaller lot would go against the character of the neighborhood, said resident Ed McNamara. There could be drainage or traffic problems in the future because of the new house, McNamara added. "I would like to preserve the low density of the neighborhood," VanSweden said. "Please do not vote against our neighborhood." Allowing the subdivision would have been setting a trend in a neighborhood that does not want little houses, said Harriet McNamara. "I’m afraid it will set a trend," Mark Sessa, board chairman, said in agreement. "There’s a spirit of the law question here," said Andrew Willner, a Planning Board member. Willner went on to suggest Ventrone retract the application for the sake of the neighborhood. The neighbors said they want the laws changed. Changing laws is the responsibility of the Borough Council and not the Planning board, said Mayor John Merla. The neighbors "want the applicant to listen loud and clear. They should really want myself and John Doyle (a councilman who sits on the board) to listen loud and clear," said Merla. The neighbors can ask the council to increase the minimum lot size in the area for future subdivisions; however, the application that was in front of the board was permissible according to the laws currently on the books, Merla said. Ventrone could bring a lawsuit against the Planning Board and win, said Raymond Lee, a board member. "That neighborhood, I agree, is one of the nicest in Keyport," Lee said. "However, he (Ventrone) has the right to do things with his property. This is America." There has been no lawsuit filed against the board regarding the matter so far. Ventrone is waiting to see the reasons for denial listed in the memorializing resolution, which will be up for adoption at the July 24 meeting, Peck said.