Planning board approves façade amendment for 136 Main Street, limits brick to front portion

The Metuchen Planning Board on Monday approved an amendment to a previously granted site plan for a mixed-use building at 136 Main Street, allowing brick only on the building’s front portion and a Hardie-style siding on the rear.

Attorney Larry Lavender opened the applicant’s presentation and introduced the applicant, who testified under oath. Applicant Helder Asencio told the board: “So, we're asking to have brick in the front of the building only and the remaining three sides be Hardie plank.” He said a rear carport and a second-story living area would make full brick on the upper rear elevations structurally difficult and costly because of the additional steel framing that would be required.

The board referenced a planner memo from Chris Cassenza (the borough planner). Cassenza indicated relief was acceptable for the rear elevation but recommended preserving a consistent, Main Street-facing appearance by keeping dimensional brick on the primary massing and allowing thin-brick veneer (installed with furring to simulate dimensional brick) on the foremost side portions.

Members discussed whether the return to seek relief was an oversight in the original plans or a legitimate hardship discovered during preconstruction estimates. Board members acknowledged the original approval required brick on all sides but accepted the applicant’s explanation that the second-floor brick condition was impractical and would impose significant additional cost and structural complexity.

Before voting, the board clarified that all other conditions of the original approval remain in place and that any façade details (including exact brick veneer treatment and Hardie-style siding color) would be subject to planner review. Miss Kuskowski made the motion to approve the amended façade as described; Ellen seconded. The roll-call vote recorded yes votes from Miss Clarkson, Miss Conn, Mr. Dileia, Miss Gelber, Miss Kuskowski, Mr. Lifson and Mr. Ericson; the motion passed.

The amendment allows: dimensional brick on the front façade; thin-brick veneer (with appropriate furring and detailing to simulate dimensional brick) on the front portion of both side elevations; and Hardie-style fiber-cement siding on the rear portion and rear wing where the carport is located. The board instructed the applicant to coordinate final colors and detailed sections with the borough planner prior to permitting.

The decision resolves the façade treatment question for the 136 Main Street project and leaves the remaining approved site-plan conditions unchanged. The planning board meeting record shows no public comments on this item prior to the vote.