[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6189955,"mediaKeyId","5053389-11e2a137e65fae236d71bbec735a3115","parentId",5053389,"title","Zoning board adopts several residential variances and denies storage‑facility plan in unanimous/near‑unanimous votes","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",3788000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5053389-11e2a137e65fae236d71bbec735a3115&start=3788&end=3788","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5053389-11e2a137e65fae236d71bbec735a3115/thumbnail_3788000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189955/Clifton/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Zoning-board-adopts-several-residential-variances-and-denies-storagefacility-plan-in-unanimousnearunanimous-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189955-100c8b7f1c55d140d52064503794af50/orig.mp4?Expires=1776323290&Signature=YO96~GHvQkt8SJCNy8~NdBCrO0K7xE5pamOh-Bvxfuc1o1q~Tx~h8qwEWgXLpvU8hcoppZryO66~N8iZd81fDn-FeiqP-Vkl7q8UHqqm1xpg46ExzHBFQwPYdFhioPSqXePXUJ8kX3cIESRpD-OnP2Wx16xjDL-A1YZcsbGdyIS5GWW-1gWHHm-rtJYdCjPTndI~YT-~La9tfDo8J~PM6cSx2HIfC52INn7BXHGUufepxDC3iAo1hlW9iov1r5ytPZfs7q~s9D7-mm2bOVsUg7KXAUgZ2upo5gaMUzZWBy1PFPkUDE44DdpneePObRk9IEgjBUqDt4CeY202od11iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Clifton, NJ","date","2025-06-18T00:00:00Z","article","After public hearings, the Clifton Zoning Board of Adjustment moved to adopt several resolutions and to deny one site‑plan application at its June 18 meeting.

The board adopted resolutions approving bulk variances for an outdoor pergola at 43 McArthur Drive (applicant Robert Bender); variances for an addition at 11 Cresthill Avenue (applicant Yehuda Allman); and variances for an addition at 131 Crystal Avenue (applicant Nathaniel Abitol). Each resolution passed on roll calls recorded in the meeting minutes.

Separately, the board voted to deny the preliminary and final site plan for Glee Land LLC at Route 46, a proposed storage facility. The motion to deny passed on the record. The clerk will enter the board’s approved and denied resolutions into the official minutes and notify applicants per the municipal procedure.

The board then approved minutes from its prior meeting and adjourned.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Zoning Board of Adjustments 6.18.25","oneSentenceSummary","The board adopted resolutions approving pergola and house‑addition variance applications and denied a storage‑facility site plan; roll calls were taken and the minutes reflect final motions.","taxTitle","Clifton , Passaic County, New Jersey","taxId",2755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6189959,"Zoning board denies use variance for two‑family on Chestnut Street; vote falls short of five‑vote requirement",3049,714000,3763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5053389-11e2a137e65fae236d71bbec735a3115&start=714&end=3763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5053389-11e2a137e65fae236d71bbec735a3115/thumbnail_714000.jpg","/articles/6189959/Clifton/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Zoning-board-denies-use-variance-for-twofamily-on-Chestnut-Street-vote-falls-short-of-fivevote-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189959-574cee6006a073a5793300ad36b55e8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776323290&Signature=lUaCZWGtBRo~AA6FlnXls21Jo7ApPgDNCjsLD7T3VLeEw1xg8j8J6X7sr7VFjPVXRu0Ql3onyfXSE0zlrAKZMbhYjizAKJUvnSOX9fjq94YFD1vcElwhTXJPdLFUQUz~rVHUzXOvkM5IbckIOoDz3h1xX1SYKpRBUb7Sq7-J-gMoguiW77wkC9bSl5IrZFn91wD6f7HfSKrAHvwayjLsmRhUmZvuzyjyg-RLZaosgqoeOMOOwmH4jaCme7xqIG5QUagwLvzldTpsZX4Bjqm7hjAIVVG0TzgdYcNbmO01WF9w7oFWWNDmVZb9msbV3i~dnsRe4EZZ1qqXKe7xKchKOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clifton Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 18 declined to grant a D‑1 use variance requested by JLM Chestnut Street LLC to subdivide a parcel and build a two‑family dwelling in an M‑1 industrial zone; the motion to approve received four votes in favor and three opposed, short of the five votes required by statute for a use variance.

Dominic Einaral, counsel for the applicant, introduced engineer David Fantina and planner Alexander Dougherty, who said the application includes a minor subdivision and a two‑family building on proposed Lot 15. Planner Dougherty presented an eight‑slide exhibit (marked A2) showing the site’s context and argued the property is a “missing tooth” in a largely residential fabric and that surrounding lots include two‑family homes on 50‑by‑100 parcels. Dougherty urged the board to apply the Medici (D‑1) analysis and found prongs of site suitability and public benefit were satisfied.

Key project commitments on the record included moving the proposed building 19 feet forward to enlarge rear yard area, providing parking to meet RSIS, performing required soil testing before installing stormwater controls, and reducing the building width so the combined side‑yard setback would total 16 feet by resolution compliance. The applicant also agreed to limit each unit to two bedrooms per the zoning officer’s recommendation and to replace several trees with native plantings if required.

Board members probed lot area, lot width and setback issues. The proposal would have created a new lot of roughly 5,000 square feet where the M‑1 and the RB‑1 (residential) zoning districts meet; the RB‑1 district’s standards (including a 75‑by‑100 expectation for two‑family homes) informed much of the discussion. David Fantina testified the units would be roughly 1,100 square feet each prior to the recent width reduction and that each unit would include two bedrooms, a garage and internal circulation. Fantina and the applicant’s engineer described existing and proposed drainage measures, and committed to required soil testing and stormwater controls.

After lengthy debate and a motion to approve by Vice Chair Molnar (seconded by Commissioner Eisenman) that incorporated the applicant’s commitments and the Graviano report as conditions (including a deed restriction limiting units to two bedrooms), the roll call produced four votes for approval and three against. Because a D‑1 use variance requires five affirmative votes under New Jersey land‑use law, the application automatically failed and was denied.

The denial leaves the property in its current M‑1 zoning status. Counsel and the planner noted the owner could pursue other uses allowed in M‑1 or revise and return with a different application, but the board made no formal direction on next steps beyond the recorded denial.","The board failed to approve a use variance application from JLM Chestnut Street LLC to subdivide property and build a two‑family home in an M‑1 industrial zone. The motion to approve received a 4‑3 favorable vote but did not meet the five‑vote threshold required for a D‑1 use variance, resulting in automatic denial.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6189964,"Zoning board approves second-floor addition at 217 Rutherford Blvd., requires attic remain unfinished",518,164000,682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5053389-11e2a137e65fae236d71bbec735a3115&start=164&end=682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5053389-11e2a137e65fae236d71bbec735a3115/thumbnail_164000.jpg","/articles/6189964/Clifton/Passaic-County/New-Jersey/Zoning-board-approves-second-floor-addition-at-217-Rutherford-Blvd-requires-attic-remain-unfinished","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189964-04586a44b827afed34431b73f9051af8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776323290&Signature=UTq5okjGiBs6WhbDtcehO1fvtFSKMpIflX5l58B-oh10NGs~AyottB9Hqg0lCv5YZ3lFhU6-08wnT4a9rgAl-4wGyv2TFxJx15QbllbCfyZyfyTIF~xY~cXYMUrHTifDIyiyWvS4lkStFyEeNJLK69lOgecFEfPdnqM3VAZ9IvtVyyrroIJ7r9FgUpH17d5aRKc9mZ83jRV9NDVKnKyfuU6sZ6NUobCcTYVxYpbpTpUU8aoXqo3BtB0Wg2Ag5EhT4PS2QaVmf2Ni3KkkD~jgtK3hpRvaYPR4U37EDUf493XKyWN~TzrMfixe~YixEilIkwOYNLFiDmLktbZjnnckMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clifton Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 18 approved variances allowing owners to add a second floor at 217 Rutherford Boulevard and convert part of the garage into living space, with conditions that the attic remain unfinished and protective bollards be installed where a garage bay will become interior space.

The approval came after architect Jacob Weiss testified for the applicant, saying the owners were not expanding the home’s footprint but were adding a second story to provide bedrooms. “We’re not really expanding the footprint at all, just a slight overhang in the back,” Weiss said. He testified the existing side yards are deficient but would not be reduced; the application sought relief to increase vertical space only.

The board’s action followed technical testimony about three variances: relief for the house’s side-yard shortfalls, a variance for locating living space where a garage space currently exists, and a determination that a small dormer and stairwell make the structure a two‑and‑a‑half‑story building rather than a single story. Weiss described the attic/headroom at the ridge as “under the ridge might be like 6 and a half feet or 7 feet,” and said the dormer provides stairheadroom rather than new living area. He also told the board the family plans to convert one of the two garage parking stalls into a playroom, leaving three total on‑site parking spaces (two in the driveway and one in the retained garage bay).

Board members asked about crash protection and structural reinforcement where a driveway would abut interior living space; Weiss said the applicant would “reinforce the wall” and install bollards to prevent vehicle impact. The board also sought a condition to keep the attic unfinished. Commissioner Braid, who moved to approve, accepted an amendment making the attic storage-only; that amendment was incorporated before the roll call.

Following roll call, the board approved the application by majority vote. The board’s motion included the conditions discussed on the record: the attic must remain unfinished and serve only as storage, and protective bollards (or equivalent reinforcement) must be installed between the driveway and the new interior space. The applicant was also required to reflect those conditions in the permit and final building plans.

The approval resolves the variances for 217 Rutherford Boulevard without changes to the home’s footprint or front/rear yards. The record shows the board accepted the architect’s testimony that no lot coverage variance was requested and that the intent is to keep the house “in character with the neighborhood.”","The Clifton Zoning Board of Adjustment approved variances for a second‑story addition and interior conversion at 217 Rutherford Boulevard, imposing conditions that the attic remain unfinished and protective bollards be installed where a former garage bay becomes living space.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Zoning board adopts several residential variances and denies storage‑facility plan in unanimous/near‑unanimous votes

Zoning board denies use variance for two‑family on Chestnut Street; vote falls short of five‑vote requirement

Zoning board approves second-floor addition at 217 Rutherford Blvd., requires attic remain unfinished