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Robert Page asks to continue front-yard pole-barn variance amid home‑business, driveway and stormwater concerns
Summary
Robert Page requested a continuance for PB 2023-15 after the board and its professionals flagged an unpermitted Kings Highway access, parking of business trailers on the property, and potential impervious-surface thresholds that could trigger NJDEP stormwater review. The board granted the continuance with timelines waived.
Robert Page, owner of the property at 1512 Oldmans Creek Road, asked the Woolwich Township Joint Land Use Board on March 19 to continue his application for bulk relief to permit front-yard structures, including a gazebo and a pole barn, adjacent to an in-ground pool.
Page told the board he operates a sole-proprietorship lawn-care business and that he stores two trailers on the property—one currently containing family items and one holding business equipment. He said the proposed pole barn would be used to store sports equipment and lawn-care materials. “I have kids in several sports and need space for their equipment,” Page said while describing the project and how the barn would be used.
Planner Ashton Jones read a March 1, 2026 review letter noting that Page had not requested a home-occupation approval and that a separate determination is required before the board can grant the bulk relief he seeks. Jones also flagged discrepancies between the survey and field conditions, including a gate and an unpermitted access track off Kings Highway that are not shown on the submitted plans.
JLUB Solicitor Mike Aimino and Engineer Ted Wilkinson pressed Page on the use of the Kings Highway opening, county permitting and the construction access that would be needed to build the pole barn. Wilkinson said the main driveway had been routed to the county for safety approval when the house was built, but that there is no county permit for the Kings Highway access. He warned this could create safety and township-liability concerns if heavy construction traffic or long trailers use that path.
Wilkinson also told the board the property’s impervious coverage appears to be approaching an 11,000-square-foot threshold that would require stormwater review by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The engineer said the existing stone driveway and other on-site hard surfaces contribute to that total and recommended clearer survey documentation and engineered plans before the board acts on the bulk request.
Chairperson Grasso opened the meeting to public comment; no members of the public spoke. Page asked for clarification on what a continuance would mean; Solicitor Aimino and Planner Jones explained a continuance would allow Page time to prepare the zoning/home-occupation documentation, obtain any required county permits and correct survey or plan inconsistencies. Page agreed to waive statutory hearing timelines.
The board voted unanimously to grant a continuance on PB 2023-15 with timelines waived (motion by Matthias; second by Trautz). The board recorded a roll-call vote in favor and instructed Page to return with clarified plans and any required permits or home-occupation applications.
What happens next: Page will prepare amended plans and the required documentation identified in the planner and engineer reviews; the application will be re‑noticed as required when it is rescheduled for a future JLUB hearing.
