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Holmes granted renewal of 2011 bulk variances for 930 Aura Road lot
Summary
The Elk Township Planning & Zoning Board unanimously renewed bulk variances for Harry and Serena Holmes at 930 Aura Road, finding the undersized lot was preexisting from a 2011 subdivision and conditioning approval on required permits, a grading plan, wetlands letter and a deeded conservation easement.
The Elk Township Combined Planning & Zoning Board unanimously approved a renewal of bulk variances for Harry and Serena Holmes on Dec. 18, 2024, for property at 930 Aura Road (Block 54 Lot 26.03) in the Rural Environmental zoning district.
Attorney David Thatcher, representing the applicants, told the board the parcel was created with an undersized configuration in 2011 and the current application seeks to reinstate the expired minimum‑lot‑size and minimum‑lot‑width variances. Thatcher said a newly prepared survey (Exhibit A1) showed the lot width at the building line measures 150.71 feet, which he characterized as a "de minimis" shortfall from prior measurements.
Board Engineer Steven Bach had earlier recommended waivers to several checklist items in his Oct. 30, 2024 review, including requiring a survey signature block, a full zoning schedule, historical‑structure documentation and 20‑foot contour mapping. The board granted waivers for completeness, but conditioned any building permits on submission of outstanding technical items. Thatcher agreed on the record to provide a grading plan and a Gloucester County Health Department septic approval prior to issuance of building permits, and testified that a wetlands Letter of Interpretation had been submitted and was pending issuance.
Mr. Hughes moved to grant the bulk variance, Mr. Wolf seconded, and the board voted 9‑0‑0. The approval was explicitly conditioned on compliance with the Bach review letter dated Sept. 13, 2024 and testimony on the record: a completed grading plan before a building permit, septic approval, a wetlands LOI, installation of a 25‑foot vegetative buffer (minimum 80 feet long) adjoining the camp, and a deed indicating the conservation easement to be provided to the board solicitor and planner for review.
The board solicitor swore the applicants before testimony, and there were no public speakers during the hearing. The record notes professionals and the applicant agreed to provide the documents required by the board before permits are issued. The board secretary will include the conditions in the written resolution to be memorialized following the meeting.
