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Board clears model‑train club for 1210 Cedar Street, citing long pre‑existing recreational use
Summary
The Boonton Zoning Board granted a MLUL §68 certification allowing the Northwest Jersey High Railers model‑train club to occupy the Cedar Street hall, finding the hall's recreational use dates to at least the 1920s; the board noted building repairs and normal permitting remain required.
The Boonton Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a certification under the municipal land use law that allows the organization Northwest Jersey High Railers to operate a recreational/club use at 1210 Cedar Street.
Applicant attorney Stephen Chis told the board the structure — a community hall built in 1928 according to tax records — historically hosted social and recreational activities and should be recognized as a lawfully pre-existing nonconforming use under MLUL §68. "This building was built in 1928 as per your tax records," counsel said while summarizing submitted ordinances and assessor notes.
Former municipal clerk Cynthia Rabbits testified from long personal knowledge that the hall (commonly referred to in testimony as "the hall" or by local residents) hosted weddings, summer camps, youth activities and other community events and that the building's recreational use persisted through municipal ownership. Club president Ben Furello explained the proposed occupant, the Northwest Jersey High Railers, runs model-train layouts, open houses and youth outreach; he said the club runs several annual open houses and conducts charity events.
Witnesses and the applicant acknowledged substantial building repairs will be needed — testimony referenced a buried oil tank, a failing chimney and roofing, and in‑building plumbing and electrical issues — and board members noted those matters will require normal building permits and corrective work rather than being resolved by the zoning certification itself.
Members of the public who spoke (including a nearby resident concerned about an adjacent oak and supporters praising the club's community outreach) were heard before the board voted to issue the certification. The resolution grants confirmation that the recreational/club use lawfully pre-exists current zoning, allowing the zoning officer to issue occupancy permits subject to compliance with building, safety and site requirements.
