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West Milford Zoning Board approves several residential variances, conditions access and safety improvements
Summary
At its April 28 meeting the West Milford Zoning Board approved multiple residential variances — including conditioned approvals for a one‑story addition, remediation of unpermitted decks/pool, a garage with deed restriction and an accessory garage — while requiring safety and deed‑restriction conditions where noted.
The West Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a series of residential variances during its April 28 meeting, granting conditioned relief for an addition, retroactive approvals for work done without permits, a garage tied to a primary dwelling and an accessory structure on small lots.
Applicant Ahmad Jeaidi received approval for a one‑story, 245‑square‑foot addition after he and his architect said the original plans had mislabeled the space as a bedroom. Jeaidi testified the revised plan (dated March 31, 2026) shows a playroom. The board conditioned approval on adding two doors so the addition connects to the interior of the home and on a professionals’ review of the revised drawing (marked and entered as exhibit A1). The board clarified the addition may not be used as a bedroom.
The board also granted variances to Augustin Shabaj for decks, a pool and a shed that were built before he purchased the property. Shabaj told the board he bought the house “last year” and said the unpermitted structures existed at closing; he later received zoning violation notices. The board’s planner described the rear deck and pool as located roughly one foot from the property line and suggested privacy screening, replacement of the oversized shed with a sub‑100‑square‑foot structure set back five feet, and that the applicant comply with building‑department inspections and any safety fencing required by other departments.
On a narrow lakefront parcel, the board approved a use variance and bulk variances for James Kirby to construct a one‑story garage with a partially covered deck. The approval was conditioned on a deed restriction tying the garage parcel to the primary dwelling and a prohibition on plumbing in the garage, per testimony and the board engineer’s guidance.
Paul Sullivan’s request for a 24‑by‑24 accessory garage was approved subject to stormwater and drainage assurances, removal of an existing shed, and minimizing exterior lighting as recommended by the environmental commission.
All approvals were made by roll call vote and will be memorialized in resolutions that note the board conditions and the 45‑day appeal period after publication on the township website.
The board’s professionals repeatedly emphasized that approvals for structures built without prior permits do not remove building‑department inspection requirements or other public‑safety obligations; applicants were advised to secure any required electrical, plumbing, septic or fencing approvals before final occupancy.
