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Woolwich JLUB delays decision on Hare front‑porch variance after applicant absent
Summary
The Woolwich Township Joint Land Use Board on June 20 postponed a bulk‑variance request to rebuild a front porch at 255 Harrisonville Rd after the applicant did not appear and factual questions about demolition timing and sightlines remained unresolved; the case was rescheduled for Aug. 1, 2024 without requiring re‑notice.
On June 20, 2024, the Woolwich Township Joint Land Use Board postponed action on a bulk‑variance application from William Hare to rebuild a front porch at 255 Harrisonville Road after the applicant failed to appear and key facts remained unsettled.
Attorney A. Telsey introduced the application for a front‑yard setback variance on the pre‑existing, nonconforming house and a contractor, Robert Ceasar, was sworn in to answer questions. Ashton Jones, the township planner, referred the board to a June 19 planner's letter and told members he viewed the request as more consistent with a C2 benefit‑versus‑burden variance; the applicant's attorney argued the request should be heard as a C1 hardship variance. The contractor and attorney were unable to provide a date for the demolition of the prior porch.
The board opened the matter to public comment. Neighbor Frank Grant of 243 Harrisonville Road told the board he was worried about sightline impacts if a porch is built closer to the road and said, "There has never been a front porch on this house dating back to the 1960s," describing his long residence next door. Because the board lacked testimony from the homeowner on sightlines and the timing of the prior porch removal, members agreed to adjourn the application to Aug. 1, 2024 and directed that the applicant be present to testify; the board specified the adjournment would not require re‑notice.
The adjournment passed on a roll call vote: Grasso, Juliano, Morgan, Morris, Nocentino, Rushton, Kauffman and Maugeri voted Yes. No motion maker or seconder was recorded in the transcript for the adjournment.
The next procedural step is for the applicant to testify at the rescheduled hearing on Aug. 1, 2024, at which the board will revisit the variance classification, sightline evidence and any other outstanding factual questions.
