Kenilworth planning board approves Durham School Services bus facility at 251 Monroe with conditions

The Kenilworth Planning Board voted to approve a use variance and site-plan application allowing Durham School Services to base and maintain school buses at 251 Monroe Avenue after testimony from the applicant’s engineers, traffic consultant and the bus operator.

The application, presented by attorney Larry Cali for 251 Monroe Owner LLC, covers reuse of Building 33 and surrounding paved areas on the roughly 43.4-acre industrial site. Cali told the board the proposal was “a nice feel good case” and described the project as limited to bus storage and related operations on a portion of the property.

The board approved the application by roll call (motion by Mr. Ladadi; second by Mr. Mazzeo). Because the matter required a D1 (use) variance, the mayor and council liaison stepped down for the hearing and seven voting members considered the case; all seven voted yes.

Why it matters: board members and professionals said the proposal is for a narrow, operational use — parking, dispatch and limited maintenance — that supports the public function of transporting students while locating activity internally on an existing industrial site. The applicant will remove several small buildings, add pavement and install perimeter controls while keeping maintenance and fueling indoors.

Key facts and conditions - Applicant/owner: 251 Monroe Owner LLC; attorney: Larry Cali. The board heard engineering, traffic and planning testimony from Robert Fruid (Dynamic Engineering), Connor Hughes (traffic), and planner Paul Rickey. Amy Abdelkader testified for Durham School Services as area general manager. - Site and legal approvals already obtained or pending: Union County planning board approval (July 2024, per testimony), an individual NJDEP flood-hazard permit (Aug. 2024), and a pending NJDEP wetlands LOI. The applicant said the DEP reviewed and approved stormwater and flood-hazard submissions. - Use variance: The board heard that bus parking and operations are not a permitted use in the Industrial Zone as written; attorneys and the planner framed the request as an inherently beneficial use tied to school…