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Edgewater board hears duplex plan for 1160 River Road amid steep‑slope and drainage concerns
Summary
At a May 6 Board of Adjustment meeting, an applicant seeking approval to build a two‑family duplex at 1160 River Road presented site plans while nearby residents raised steep‑slope and drainage worries; the board requested missing drainage calculations and did not record a final decision on the application.
The Borough of Edgewater Board of Adjustment on May 6 heard testimony and public comment on an application to construct a two‑family duplex at 1160 River Road.
Mark Sokolich, representing applicant Samer Shalaby, called engineer Robert Mueller of Hubschman Engineering, P.C., who described A1, the site plan dated April 23, 2026. Mueller said the lot is 5,792 square feet in the R‑2 zone (minimum 5,000 square feet), that the design places two‑car garages and driveways at the front of each unit, and that the sloped property has about a 14–15‑foot change in grade between River Road and North Glen. "We submitted drainage calculations to the Boro Engineer and he was okay with the drainage calcs," Mueller said, and he added that required drainage work would be complied with.
The board pressed the applicant for additional details. Vice Chair Haig Shirinian and other board members were listed on the roll; Board member Ms. Louloudis said Colliers (the borough engineer) had not received the drainage calculations and asked that the applicant forward them. Ms. Gregory asked for a missing table line and clarified a listed maximum height of "68.53" feet; Richard Gannon asked whether an underground stream existed on the site (Mueller said not to his knowledge).
Neighbors who spoke during public comment said they were concerned about hillside stability if the site is disturbed. Wanda Silva of 15 Rockwood Place cited the borough ordinance limiting disturbance of steep slopes and asked what "extraordinary circumstances" would allow such disturbance. Pamela Burns, also of 15 Rockwood Place, asked, "What are the plans to avoid additional steep slope disturbances?" and warned that her house could slip down the hill; she and other speakers noted an existing crumbling wall and the risk of instability.
No final vote on the 1160 River Road application was recorded in the minutes. The board set its next regular meeting for June 3, 2026; applicant counsel Mark Sokolich waived time constraints for the hearing.
