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Planning board approves small addition and porch renovation at 104 Chinquapie Avenue
Summary
The board granted a use/expansion variance and approved a modest rear addition, porch renovation and driveway adjustments at 104 Chinquapie Avenue, subject to stormwater and reviewer conditions and verification of an abandoned well.
The Hopatcong Planning Board approved a use-variance application allowing a modest rear addition, a renovated front porch and expanded parking at 104 Chinquapie Avenue, with conditions addressing stormwater, reviewer comments and verification of a sealed well.
Applicants represented by attorney Dan Serafini and project representatives (including architect/engineer Tom Brady and owner Michael Chillella) described the proposal as a roughly 580-square-foot rear addition to create two bedrooms and a full bath, renovation of the existing front porch and additions of modest parking. The owners said the existing house (records suggest a 1935 build) lacked a full bathroom and was under conventional mortgage size; the addition is intended to create a livable, marketable dwelling.
Board members and staff discussed nonconforming lot conditions: the lot is smaller than current zoning standards (existing lot area and width nonconformities), and the front-yard setback of the existing porch is approximately 21.4 feet where 25 feet is required. The applicants asked the board to treat the updated porch as consistent with prevailing setbacks along the block.
Technical review items focused on stormwater and grading because the site sits on a slope that currently drains toward neighboring properties to the northeast. Staff asked the applicants to submit testimony or details that show any new roof leaders and grading will be routed to the street or otherwise not adversely affect the lower neighbor; the applicant said contours and grading will direct stormwater toward the street and that they would address the engineering reviewer’s comments. The architect confirmed the existing well on the lot will be abandoned and suggested the board may require verification that the well was properly sealed.
The board voted to approve the application after confirming that the applicant would address the township engineering comments, provide documentation about the sealed well and supply stormwater/grading testimony to ensure no negative runoff onto neighboring properties. The board’s approval included conditions for staff to verify those items before final permits are issued.
