Montville Zoning Board approves pool, shed and fence variances for homeowner citing child safety

The Montville Township Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 3 approved variances that will allow Susan Sabatino to install an in-ground pool, shed, a reduced landscaped buffer and a 6-foot privacy fence at 21 Gunthers View.

Sabatino, the applicant, told the board she has four children and said safety and privacy motivated the request. “I have 4 kids and I want to put a swimming pool in,” she said, adding that coyotes on her property make it unsafe for the children to play unsupervised.

Attorney Steven Schepis, representing the applicant, reviewed a title investigation showing the township owns a 16.5-foot parcel on Alpine Road and noted wetlands in the rear yard area. Engineer Erman Suljic, P.E., described the relief sought as 'C' variances for deficient setbacks from an unimproved private roadway (Alpine Road) for the pool and shed, a reduced landscape buffer, and an over-height fence. Suljic said the project would include French drains around the pool patio to manage runoff and a short retaining wall.

Board professionals asked for clarifications. Jamie Giurintano, P.E., asked that infiltration/drywell performance be verified on the plans and requested notation for proposed landscape lighting; David Novak, P.P., asked for tree-removal details. Schepis agreed to add the as-built drywell information, address outstanding items in the board engineer’s report, and include tree-removal and replanting notes. He also said the design would comply with the ordinance regarding a safety fence if any retaining wall exceeds 30 inches.

A motion to approve the application, subject to the testimony and all professional and required reports, passed on a roll-call vote: yes — Rebecca Gomilla, Larry Lomrantz, Ibrahim Coklar, Ryan Pisano and Jake Kovalcik.

Next steps: the board’s approval is conditioned on the plan revisions and required professional reports being submitted and satisfied by the board’s professionals.