A unanimous zoning board approved an application May 28 to build a 24-by-24 detached garage behind a home at 26 Adam Boulevard in Sayreville.

The vote formalized board discussion about setbacks and driveway alignment after the applicant said he would change a proposed driveway to run along the right side of the property from Adam Boulevard to the rear. "I'm looking to put a 24 by 24, garage, detached garage in the backyard," applicant Salvatore Reno told the board during the hearing.

The board and the zoning office identified three variances the applicant would seek, including exceeding the allowable accessory structure square-footage and lot-coverage limits. Board members discussed side-yard and rear-yard offsets and accepted a recommendation from the zoning office that the garage be set five feet from the side property line. The applicant confirmed the structure would be used for "vehicle storage and children's storage" and said it would include no electricity or plumbing.

Neighbor Ricardo Fontanella of 42 Eugene Boulevard, who said he lives behind the applicant's property, asked where the garage would sit; Reno replied the structure would be in the back right-hand corner, "five feet off the property line." Fontanella raised questions about height and the driveway; Reno said the planned walls are 12 feet and the driveway would lead from Adam Boulevard directly to the new garage.

After closing the public portion, a board member moved to approve the application "with the conditions testified to." Another member seconded. Roll call recorded unanimous "yes" votes from board members Mister Green, Mister Kaczynski, Mister Esposito, Mister Emma, Missus Gottstein, Mister Castle Grant, and Mister Bellick. The chair said the approval was conditional and that the board would memorialize the resolution at the next meeting before the applicant proceeds to obtain permits.

The approval included the conditions discussed at the hearing: the five-foot side-yard offset, adherence to the zoning office's recommendations, and any other conditions the board's memorializing resolution will state. The applicant was told he may start permitting work once the resolution is memorialized at the following meeting.

Board members did not indicate any alternative uses for the garage and confirmed on the record that no business use, plumbing or electricity would be allowed unless separately approved.