Hewitt Gas application paused after board finds merged lots; hearing to be re-noticed for May 26

The West Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment voted April 28 to adjourn and re‑notice a proposed gas station and convenience‑store redevelopment after the board discovered that two parcels had been merged, creating multiple principal uses on the same tax parcel.

Counsel Wade Baldwin introduced the Hewitt Gas LLC application for preliminary and final site‑plan approval and a use variance for a gas station and attached convenience store. Owner Manjip “Manny” Bajwa described the intended operation as a typical Hewitt Gas location selling fuel and fresh deli items; he said the store would typically have three employees on duty and proposed hours roughly 4 a.m. to midnight.

During testimony, the board attorney and professionals identified inconsistent address references and a tax‑department email confirming a 2020 merger of block/lot entries (block 3509, lot 17 merged with lot 15). That merger, the board concluded, changes the legal status of the site and creates multiple principal uses that must be noticed and considered together. The board instructed the applicant to submit an amended site plan addressing parking and lot‑status questions and directed staff to re‑notice the application for the May 26, 2026 meeting.

The board emphasized that use‑variance relief for a gas station is a discretionary grant that will require the applicant to satisfy statutory standards and that, when re‑heard, the application will need at least five affirmative votes to pass the use‑variance portion. The board also requested the applicant resolve the address/lot numbering ambiguity with the tax collector and to provide clearer parking and circulation plans in the revised submission.

No final action was taken on the use variance at the April 28 meeting; the application will return with updated materials and new public notice.