The Kenilworth Planning Board voted March 13 to extend the life of previously granted preliminary and final site-plan approvals for a development at 50 Bowright Avenue.

John DeMasi, Esq., attorney for 50 Bowright Ave. LLC, told the board his client had obtained planning approvals during the pandemic but faced supply-chain delays and a withdrawal of construction financing. "My client has the financing. He's ready to go," DeMasi said, and the resolution read at the meeting noted that "financing is no longer an issue and that the applicant has secured appropriate funding."

The board memorialized a resolution granting an extension of the prior approvals to preserve the applicant’s protection from zone changes while construction documents are prepared; the resolution recorded that the original approval had been memorialized on Jan. 6, 2022 and that the applicant requested extension through early 2026. The resolution also preserved the original conditions of approval and required the applicant to continue to meet those conditions and submit final plans prior to construction.

A motion to accept the extension was made by Planning Board member Salvatore Scuderi and seconded by another member; a roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval among members present. The board also approved the text of the resolution for memorialization at the same meeting. Board members asked that the applicant keep required escrow and plan submissions current; the applicant’s attorney said he would coordinate with borough staff on outstanding plan filings and conditions.

The extension keeps the project’s approved variances and site-plan protections in place while the applicant completes updated plans and secures building permits.