Somerset council approves amendment to 4822 Cumberland Avenue permit, replacing patio with smaller deck

Somerset — On Oct. 20, 2025, the Town Council of Somerset voted to approve an amendment to a previously granted building permit for 4822 Cumberland Avenue, allowing the property owners to replace a large rear patio with a smaller deck.

The applicants, Matt Kovner and Yael Friedkin, told the council they chose the smaller deck to preserve more of their yard while retaining most of the previously approved water-filtration measures. "We love the property and the yard... we decided to just do a much smaller deck," said Matt Kovner, a property owner and co-applicant.

Town staff presented the technical review. Steve Servo, the town staff reviewer assigned to the application, told the council the change reduces the impervious surface area and reduces the volume of stormwater the site must manage. "The volume of stormwater that needs to be managed is being reduced from about 4,200 gallons to 3,400 gallons," Servo said. He also said on-site stormwater management capacity decreases from roughly 4,460 gallons to about 3,820 gallons but still provides roughly 400 gallons more capacity than required under the town's review calculations.

Architects on the project (introduced by the applicants as George Vow, Nancy Wilder and Zebo) confirmed the micro-infiltration trench that was part of the original plan will be retained in a reduced size; staff characterized the original trench as somewhat oversized for the newly reduced area. Staff noted the civil engineer completed final sizing calculations late and mailed them to council members the day of the hearing. Council members asked that the engineering documentation be accepted for record and that staff ensure the final calculations are on file.

Council discussion focused on ensuring the revised trench and filtration meet the original objectives for stormwater management. Council President Barb moved to approve the amendment; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The transcript records the verbal "Aye" responses but does not record a formal roll-call tally; the record therefore notes approval and that a permit may be issued subject to the usual 30-day appeal period unless opposition is filed.

Project status and timing: the applicants said construction is underway on the two-story addition approved earlier and that the overall project had an estimated completion date in February 2026. The revised deck dimensions discussed at the hearing were noted in staff materials as approximately 19 by 6 feet with a typical infiltration-trench depth of about 5 feet; the civil engineer's final calculations were submitted late and were to be incorporated into the record.

The council closed the hearing on the amendment and proceeded to adjourn the special meeting.

What happens next: staff will file the engineering documentation with the project record and, barring an appeal within the statutory period, the permit amendment will be finalized and implemented as approved.