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Board approves variances to allow new home on undersized Brook Valley Road lot
Summary
The board approved variances for construction of a single‑family house on an 85,175‑sq. ft. undersized Brook Valley Road lot (LoGrasso), allowing reduced front/rear setbacks, a 15‑foot shared driveway and riparian‑zone disturbance subject to reforestation and required easement documentation.
The Montville Township Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 3 approved variances allowing construction of a new single‑family home on an unusually shaped, pre‑existing nonconforming lot on Brook Valley Road, the minutes show.
Engineer Kevin Robine, P.E., testified that the LoGrasso property is an 85,175‑square‑foot lot in the R‑120 zone with a limited building envelope due to conservation easements and a no‑build restriction on the adjacent property. He told the board the application requests reduced front and rear setbacks, relief for a driveway width, and authorization for limited disturbance in a riparian zone near Surprise Lake. Robine described a proposed shared driveway with Lot 8 and confirmed the team will provide metes and bounds for a proposed septic easement.
Robine reviewed stormwater management plans and said the project can meet New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requirements where applicable. On testing, he said soil testing had been performed and that they "did not hit rock" near the proposed house location.
Attorney Steven Schepis and the applicant agreed to a reduction of driveway width to 15 feet (from 18) to preserve a rural appearance, subject to approval by emergency services. The board conditioned approval on submission of a tree‑removal and reforestation plan and the required easement documentation.
Board member Larry Lomrantz moved to approve the application subject to testimony and all professional and required reports, with the driveway width set at 15 feet if acceptable to emergency services and the reforestation plan submitted to the zoning officer; Jake Kovalcik seconded. Roll call votes were Yes from Gomilla, Lomrantz, Coklar, Pisano and Kovalcik; the motion carried.
The approval record notes required follow‑up tasks: metes and bounds for the septic easement, a reforestation plan, and compliance with any NJDEP or Highlands provisions identified in professional reports.
