Kenilworth Planning Board appoints 2026 professionals, raises secretary pay and approves conditioned subdivision at 252 Boulevard; Monroe hearing postponed

The Kenilworth Planning Board on an evening meeting read and approved resolutions appointing the board's attorney, planner and engineer for 2026, raised the planning board secretary's salary and approved a conditioned minor subdivision for 252 Boulevard, while postponing a separate Monroe Avenue subdivision because required architectural plans were not filed.

The meeting opened with the chair noting compliance with the state Open Public Meetings Act and reading a notice that the schedule had been posted at Borough Hall and provided to local newspapers. The board then unanimously approved the minutes and reorganization items.

The board read resolutions selecting professional firms for the coming year. "Whereas the planning board has selected the firm Scruent C. Humbach as planning board attorney for the year 2026," the chair read as part of the attorney resolution. The resolutions likewise named a planning firm (recorded in the public record as Iyer/"Iron" Rule and Associates) and Center State Engineering as the planning board engineer, each with terms set to expire 12/31/2026 and subject to a professional services agreement and publication in a legal newspaper as required by state law. Each appointment was moved, seconded and reported as approved by the board.

The board also approved a personnel resolution appointing Kathleen Majid as planning board secretary effective Jan. 1, 2026, for a four-year term at a salary of $6,000 per year. The motion passed on roll call; members on the record answered "Yes."

On land-use business, the board heard Application 24-009 from applicant Eric Chavez for a minor subdivision at 252 Boulevard. The applicant's representative, Steven Hale, and the project engineer presented plans showing the existing lot split into two parcels (the north lot shown at roughly 50 by 100 feet, about 5,000 square feet, and the other at about 75 by 100 feet, roughly 7,500 square feet). The plan proposes removing an existing nonconforming garage (reported in the presentation as about 681 square feet) and adding a new detached 12-by-20-foot (240-square-foot) garage and driveway, and installing required street trees.

Planner testimony explained the only remaining variance is an existing front-yard setback (about 19.48 feet where 25 feet is required) tied to the long-standing configuration of the existing dwelling. The planner recommended the board could grant the variance on a "C1" (practical difficulty) basis, saying the dwelling has been in place for many years and that demolishing parts of the house to achieve strict compliance would create a hardship.

Board members questioned driveway placement, tree locations and parking counts; several members said the board prefers to see at least a conceptual design for any new dwelling so new construction will be visually differentiated from an adjacent newer house. After opening the public portion (no public speakers on this application) and closing it, Mayor Karlovich made the motion to approve the minor subdivision with conditions that the applicant provide concept designs and that the planner and engineer verify the new dwelling would be differentiated from the neighboring home. The motion, seconded on the record by Mrs. Gutierrez, passed on a roll-call vote with listed members recorded as "Yes." The board made the condition part of resolution compliance so it will be reflected in future building-department review.

The board then took up Application 25007530, a corner-lot subdivision on Monroe Avenue. The applicant's witnesses included Ed Deck (engineer/surveyor) and a builder; their submission proposed dividing an existing parcel into two approximately 6,500-square-foot lots. During the technical review planners and engineers raised issues requiring clarification, including the number and placement of street trees, HVAC buffering and impervious-coverage calculations. Board professionals also noted that architectural plans were not provided with the submission on time.

Because the architectural drawings were missing, a board member moved to postpone the Monroe application so the planner and engineer can review complete materials. The motion to postpone was seconded and approved; the board set the matter for re-hearing on Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m., and directed the applicant to submit the required architectural plans (the public record shows the building department contact as Wanda Grimaldi for electronic submissions). Several neighbors who attended the Monroe hearing voiced concerns about reduced front-yard setbacks and the potential change in neighborhood character. Resident John Lobianco, who said he has lived on Monroe for 60 years, told the board: "I love Kenilworth," and urged the board to preserve 25-foot setbacks.

What happens next: the 252 Boulevard approval will be implemented with the condition that subsequent building permits and design details be reviewed by the planner and engineer as part of resolution compliance. The Monroe Avenue application was postponed; the board listed the next hearing date as Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. for further consideration if the applicant supplies the missing architectural materials.

Votes at a glance: the board recorded unanimous approvals for the 2026 professional appointments (attorney, planner, engineer) and for the appointment of Kathleen Majid as planning board secretary (salary $6,000/year). The board approved Application 24-009 (252 Boulevard, Eric Chavez) with the condition that design concepts be submitted for planner/engineer review. Application 25007530 (Monroe) was postponed to Feb. 24 due to missing architectural submissions.

Board members and professionals named on the record included Chair (unnamed on the transcript), Vice Chair Greg David, Mayor Karlovich, Mary Colvin, Mike Scuderi, Frank Mazzeo and professional witnesses such as John Miller (engineer) and planner representatives; residents who spoke included John Lobianco and David Gomez. The meeting adjourned after the scheduled business.