Lake Valhalla Clubhouse Plan Discussed by Planning Board

The Lake Valhalla Club presented the continuation of their proposed site plan to turn a cottage into a clubhouse to the Thursday.

Lake Valhalla Attorney Stephen Schepis and Architect Anthony Garrett discussed the proposed modifications for the 800-square-foot cottage on the property that was formerly rented out as a residence. Garrett said that in 2007, the association had proposed construction of a yacht club storage facility on the property that would no longer be needed.

"We decided that it would be more prudent to utilize the existing structure on the site, since they no longer need to have a residence on the property," Garrett said.

Garrett said minor interior alterations would create barrier-free accessible rest rooms, yacht club locker storage and a small yacht club area. Two outdoor showers would be built over an impervious area with a roof. The existing 8 x 15-foot deck would remain as is. 

“We are here before you to show any elements that are constructed on the site, and we want to make sure that you’re aware of them,” Garrett told the board. “We understand and will ensure that they are code-compliant to the Township of Montville building officials.”

Garrett described the creation of the volleyball court in 2006 as a big sandbox with a net over it, noting that it requires variance relief due to its location in the front yard. He said evergreen trees form a natural buffer between the volleyball court and Vista Road, and they are proposing to supplement those with a net-like fence to provide additional screening.

A gravel road east of the stone archway designating the entrance into the Valhalla area will provide access to the boat docks. Garrett said they are seeking a waiver from providing buffer plantings on that road.

“We feel that the existing mature trees do a more superior job than any plantings we would put in there, and we do have a little bit of a hardship because the slope would make it difficult for any successful growth in the next few years,” he said. 

Garrett discussed overflow parking in the softball field to be utilized three times a year — on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and a mid-summer party for members. He said there would be supervisory personnel directing vehicles along the property, which had worked out well during the recent holiday weekend. Discussion included entry and exit from the field, and the possibility of moving a gate from the paper street off Hathaway Lane to club property.

“Will you go further and say that the club intends to fully use its authorities to not have guests and members park on the paper street?” Vice Chairman Gary Lewis asked.

Garrett said "yes."

Board Chairman Russ Lipari invited the public to comment at intervals during the testimony. Evelyn Hoops, a member of Lake Valhalla Club for 40 years, had concerns about cars in the grove. Board Planner Joseph Burgess clarified that parking in the grove is for employees, guests and visitors on the site. Garrett said the bridge in the grove would be used for pedestrian traffic only.

Melanie Unice, of Hathaway Lane, said she can see the high fence on the tennis courts from her home and would appreciate buffering. Another resident agreed, saying she sees headlights from the parking lot as she watches TV.

Former club member Donald Bauman spoke about several topics, including claiming there was an illegal expansion of the club in 2006.

“The beach increased in size 40 percent in 2006,” Bauman said. “This was never approved and I don’t think the board knows about this."

Garrett disagreed.

“No, I don’t remember this,” he said. “The 2006 plan shows the beach as it exists today, and the 2012 plan shows the beach as it exists today. There was an area — a stone wall — that was constructed along the edge of the bank where there was an area of brush, that I recall, but it was never marked beach.”

Lipari asked Bauman to bring documentation of his claim.

“I’d like to hear more about this so-called expansion of the beach, because if something like that occurs by 40 percent, there would be soil movement, a lot of activity and I would be concerned that between the neighbors and seeing dump trucks and all that movement of soil would have said something during the process," he said.

Garrett noted that the club had demonstrated compliance with the ordinance in effect in 2006 related to parking. The new LR (Lake Recreation) zone has new requirements.

“The creation of the LR zones — the new zones that we’re in — changes those parking requirements, so that’s really what’s generating this, to show a parking count per the revised ordinance,” Garrett said. 

The next meeting will be held June 28.