Piscataway Zoning Board approves pool and gazebo variance at Mary Avenue with conditions

The Piscataway Zoning Board approved a variance for Justin Gonzales to install an 18-foot round pool and a gazebo at his property at 59 Mary Ave, Piscataway, with conditions limiting the pool setback to 8 feet and requiring the gazebo remain open (not enclosed).

Justin Gonzales, sworn and giving his address, said he had applied for a variance because the lot’s configuration and a detached garage constrained options for locating both amenities without diminishing usable yard space. "I'm here because I had applied for a variance for a pool and a gazebo," Gonzales told the board.

Board staff (Jonathan) noted the property is undersized for frontage and coverage, reporting proposed building coverage of 21.15% and that the gazebo would sit about 1 foot from the rear-yard setback while the pool would be approximately 3.5 feet from the property line based on the staff discussion. The board clarified a discrepancy in the staff report: one passage referenced 6.5 feet from the rear property line, while the required setback is 10 feet; the board and applicant discussed compromise spacing.

Jonathan recommended conditioning any approval so the gazebo remains open — i.e., not enclosed with solid construction — and said the building department would decide whether drawings are required. After discussion, the board proposed and the applicant accepted moving the pool to 8 feet from the rear property line as a compromise. A motion to approve the application with those conditions passed on roll call. The chair said the approval will be memorialized in writing and mailed to the applicant.