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Zoning board approves variance for Ridgewood Boulevard homeowner, requires removal of asphalt encroachment
Summary
The Washington Township Zoning Board approved Timothy Walsh’s request to add a one-story attached garage at 452 Ridgewood Boulevard North, granting a right‑side yard variance and building‑coverage relief under conditions that the applicant remove asphalt encroaching on the neighbor’s lot (approximately 3 ft) and submit as‑built documentation.
The Washington Township Zoning Board on June 16 approved a variance allowing Timothy Walsh to build a one‑story attached garage and mudroom at 452 Ridgewood Boulevard North, subject to conditions to remove driveway asphalt that extends onto an adjacent lot and to document changes in a final as‑built survey.
Walsh told the board he and his family moved into the house last year and want an attached 12‑by‑26‑foot garage, saying the project complies with most standards but requires a right‑side yard setback variance from the 10‑foot minimum to roughly 7.8 feet. “We love our new home, but we'd love to have an attached garage like many other homes in our neighborhood have,” Walsh said.
Board engineer John Kimmick summarized a May 14 report finding an existing asphalt driveway encroachment of about 2.3–2.5 feet onto the neighboring property and a fence encroachment of about 3.6 feet. "The asphalt driveway servicing the lot appears to encroach roughly 2.3 to 2.5 feet and the fence about 3.6 feet," Kimmick reported, and recommended the encroachment be rectified as part of any approval.
Board members pressed Walsh on the encroachment and impervious coverage. The applicant said the neighbor had previously agreed to the existing condition, but members warned that neighbor consent does not resolve a legal encroachment for future owners and that the board typically looks to reduce nonconformities rather than preserve them.
To mitigate impacts and reduce runoff, the board asked that the applicant remove asphalt so the hard surface is approximately three feet off the property line, narrow the drive to avoid encouraging side‑by‑side parking adjacent to the neighbor, and document drainage grading or roof leader locations to avoid directing runoff onto adjacent properties. Walsh agreed to remove the encroaching asphalt area and to provide required paperwork. The board also noted the applicant had removed a shed that remained shown on the survey and asked for an updated as‑built to confirm that change.
After discussion the board moved and seconded approval with the stated conditions. Roll call recorded the following yes votes: Mrs. Vermaldi, Mr. Lrada, Mrs. Osman, Mr. Bellon, Mr. Padres and Chairman Gats; the motion passed. The board attorney will draft a written resolution to be memorialized at the next meeting; the board noted there is a 45‑day period in which the decision may be appealed after publication.
Next steps: the applicant must satisfy the conditions (remove encroaching asphalt, supply an updated survey/as‑built and any required soil‑movement or permit filings) before the building department will issue permits. The board said the resolution will be placed on the next meeting agenda.
