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Zoning board approves Fisher Street use variance to allow medical offices at former hardware site
Summary
The Sayreville Zoning Board granted a use variance June 24 to allow medical offices at the Fisher Street property, approving phased conversion options while setting limits on doctors and operating hours and requiring removal of outdoor storage; final memorialization set for July 22.
The Sayreville Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 24 approved a use variance to permit medical offices at a multi‑lot commercial property on Fisher Street formerly occupied by a hardware store.
Attorney George Presler represented the applicant, Fisher Street Associates, and planner/engineer Walter Hopkin gave the board a site overview, saying the property (block 169.01, lots 6.02, 7.01, 8.01 and 9) would not change its footprint. "There are currently 41 parking spaces on the site which currently support both the hardware use and then also the medical use," Hopkin testified, adding the applicant would seek permission on one encroaching space but expects 40 usable spaces after adjustments.
Presler and Hopkin described a two‑phase approach: one phase would keep the existing hardware store while converting two vacant suites to medical offices (estimated at four doctors total, with parking calculated at 37 required spaces); a second option would convert the entire building to medical use with a maximum of eight doctors, for which the site would provide 40 parking spaces. The applicant also said seasonal outdoor display areas used by the hardware store would be removed if the site converted fully to medical use.
Owner Alexander Conti told the board he has no tenant yet but said he had been approached by medical providers, including a dental specialist. Board professionals clarified that any change beyond the conditions discussed — such as adding a ninth doctor, new signage, or different hours of operation — would require the applicant to return to the board.
Board members asked about proposed hours and patient flow; the applicant agreed to a starting schedule of 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sunday. On the record, Hopkin and the applicant said they would limit the number of doctors on site to the levels that parking supports and agreed to remove off‑site sheds and relocate a fence that encroached across a property line.
No members of the public spoke in opposition during the hearing. The board voted to approve the use variance, with the memorialization of the resolution scheduled for the July 22 meeting; after that date the applicant may proceed to obtain required permits and begin phased tenanting.
The approval includes conditions the board asked be reflected in the resolution: limits on the number of physicians per phase, adherence to the parking plan, removal of identified outdoor storage and compliance with any signage, hours or tenant changes that would require subsequent board review.
