Board authorizes resolution drafting for mixed‑use Parsippany Road project after revisions and conditions

The Parsippany‑Troy Hills Board of Adjustment authorized the drafting of a resolution (to be finalized later) for a proposed mixed‑use building on Parsippany Road after the applicant submitted revised plans and agreed to several design changes.

Applicant representatives said the revised plans (revision dated Dec. 5, further revised Feb. 5 in the hearing record) reduced the building length from 90 feet to 75 feet (resulting in a 40‑by‑75 foot building dimension), introduced a green space and tenant recreation area, removed a small bump‑out in the front elevation, and relocated HVAC equipment to a screened rooftop platform. The project team stated the building footprint is approximately 3,000 square feet per floor and that parking calculations reflect 22 proposed spaces (the ordinance required 19) including two EV charging locations; trash will be contained in a masonry enclosure with a solid wood gate.

Several technical items were highlighted by the board engineer and planner. The applicant reported revised earthwork calculations indicating roughly 1,700 cubic yards of soil will be moved, which will require a major soil‑moving permit and export of material. The board’s planner and engineer also raised concern about an undersized buffer: the ordinance calls for a 25‑foot parking/buffer setback for the adjacent residential property but the plan shows roughly 17 feet in places, which the applicant agreed to address through added landscaping and by adjusting fencing (including a step‑down from 6‑foot to 4‑foot height within the front setback). The sidewalk/curb design across the front elevation and ADA ramping were discussed at length; the board sought consistent curb heights and grade transitions and the applicant agreed to adjust the curb and provide required ramping/railings where slopes exceed local thresholds.

Other points resolved or agreed during the hearing: the architect withdrew the larger signage variance and revised the three tenant signs to 3x11 feet to comply within the 100‑square‑foot total, rooftop condensers will be screened with a solid guard (requested by the planner to reduce sound), and the applicant committed to remove an unnecessary sidewalk extension at the rear doors. The board asked the applicant to provide additional topographic information for final drainage calculations; dry wells and manholes were added to the drainage plan as shown in the revised sheets.

At the meeting the board voted to authorize the attorney to draft a formal resolution capturing the conditions and agreements reached; the resolution will be finalized and returned to the board for adoption at a subsequent meeting. The motion to authorize drafting passed by roll call among members present.