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Montville Zoning Board amends resolution language on fire-hydrant recommendation and grants variances for two home projects
Summary
At its March 19 meeting the Montville Township Zoning Board of Adjustment amended a previously approved resolution to add language addressing a fire official’s hydrant recommendation and approved variances for a second-story addition at 21 Millers Lane; a driveway-variance application was carried to June.
The Montville Township Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 19 amended a previously approved resolution for 10 Nowak Lane to include requested language about a fire official’s recommendation for installing a fire hydrant, and approved variance relief for a second-floor addition at 21 Millers Lane.
The board discussed Resolution ZD/C12-25 (Atkinson, 10 Nowak Lane), including a request from Mr. Schepis to change Condition No. 9 to reference the fire official’s recommendation for installing a hydrant on Nowak Lane. Howard Pashman, Esq., the board’s counsel, told the panel the board’s authority does not extend to enforcing the fire code and cautioned that added language could create ambiguity about which rules apply; Rebecca Gomilla supported Schepis’s requested revision. The board voted to adopt the resolution as amended (motion by Gomilla; second by Ryan Pisano).
On a separate application, the board heard James Simonsen’s request for 'c' variances to add a second story at 21 Millers Lane. Simonsen asked for a front-yard setback of 25.3 feet where 47 feet is required and side-yard setbacks of 6.8 feet (west) and 17.7 feet (east) where 20 feet is required. Engineer James Slate and applicant Simonsen said the lot is undersized and nonconforming and noted the neighboring parcel is owned by JCP&L and will not be developed. Planner David Novak requested corrections to the zoning table; engineer Jamie Giurintano said the project will apply as a state "permit by rule" and that no additional stormwater controls are required. No members of the public spoke for or against the proposal. The board approved the application subject to professional reports (motion by Kovalcik; second by Gomilla).
The board also carried ZC13-25 (Bharat Patel, 86 Windsor Drive), a driveway setback request (0.5 feet where 5 feet is required), with notice preserved to the June 3, 2026 hearing. Minutes of March 4, 2026, and a set of invoices for professional and trust billing were approved during the meeting.
Votes at a glance • ZD/C12-25 (Atkinson, 10 Nowak Lane): resolution amended and adopted to include the requested language regarding the fire official’s hydrant recommendation (motion by Gomilla; second Pisano). Vote recorded as yes—Gomilla, Kovalcik, Pisano, Cain. • ZC07-25 (Simonsen, 21 Millers Lane): variance relief for second-story addition approved subject to required professional reports (motion by Kovalcik; second Gomilla). Vote recorded as yes—Gomilla, Kovalcik, Lomrantz, Pisano, Cain. • ZC13-25 (Patel, 86 Windsor Dr.): carried with notice preserved to June 3, 2026. • Minutes (March 4, 2026) and invoices: approved on roll call.
Board counsel advised applicants that final permit activity should wait until the written resolutions are filed. The meeting adjourned by unanimous motion.
