West Milford zoning planner refers 2025 year-end report to governing body, urges review of garages and commercial zones

West Milford — Kenneth Ochab, the Zoning Board Planner, presented the board’s 2025 year-end report at the March 24 meeting and urged follow-up review by the Planning Board on two zoning issues: front-yard garages (particularly in Upper Greenwood Lake) and commercial zoning along Lincoln Avenue and Greenwood Lake Turnpike.

Ochab reported that the board processed 25 applications in 2025, including 12 bulk-variance requests and three use-variance requests. He said accessory-structure variance requests and deck-related appeals had declined after the township’s 2024 zoning amendments governing decks and accessory buildings, and he called those amendments “functional” in guiding the public about permitted work.

The Zoning Board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 5-2026 and refer the 2025 Year End Report to the governing body for the Planning Board’s consideration. The planner recommended that the Planning Board examine whether zoning changes would better serve residents along Lincoln Avenue and Greenwood Lake Turnpike and consider policy guidance on garages that sit in front yards in parts of Upper Greenwood Lake.

The referral now goes to the township governing body and the Planning Board for any zoning-text or map changes they may propose; the board recorded no dissent on the motion to refer.

Provenance: reporting based on the planner’s presentation and the board’s recorded referral vote in SEG 007–SEG 008.