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Middletown Zoning Board re-elects chair, appoints professionals and approves several variances; two hearings carried
Summary
At its March 19 meeting the Zoning Board appointed William Hibell chairman, named Board Attorney and Engineer, approved multiple residential and commercial variances including Sourour, Millman, Ricciardi sign and Rossano, and carried Team Express and Hajj & Mencio to April 27 for further testimony.
The Middletown Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 19, 2026 re-elected William Hibell as chairman, appointed Gregory Vella, Esq. as board attorney and David Hoder as board engineer, and approved several applications and resolutions during a special meeting at Town Hall.
In the governance slate, Ms. Sheridan moved to appoint Hibell as chairman; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all members present voting in favor. After two competing nominations, the board appointed Mrs. Bouw as vice chair by a 4–2 roll-call vote. The board also unanimously appointed Vella as board attorney, Hoder Associates as board engineer and Fiona Trigg as board secretary.
The board adopted resolutions for prior applications and approved administrative items, including the approval of the December 8, 2025 minutes and adoption of Resolutions #2025-102 and #2025-103. An extension of time was granted for #2023-020 (Slope 33, LLC) for two one-year periods.
On applications: - #2025-015 (Ahmed & Rebecca Sourour, 435 Navesink River Road) returned with revised plans. Testimony described a reduced pool and patio footprint, doubling the proposed cabana setback to 40 feet, additional evergreen screening, removal of a basketball court and demolition of existing stable/shed. The applicant agreed to the deed restriction required by ordinance and the board voted to approve the variances.
- #2025-028 (Paul Millman, 108 Hartshorne Road) for bulk variances to accommodate accessibility improvements at a historic house (parts dated to the 1760s/1850s) was approved after engineers described emergency access plans; a grass-paver driveway will increase lot coverage from 10.9% to 11.3% and the applicant agreed to a deed restriction.
- #2025-029 (Ricciardi Family, LLC, 616 Newman Springs Road) sought sign variances to retain two freestanding signs for multiple tenants and to move a noncompliant right-of-way sign; a sign professional testified to placement and materials and the board approved the request with conditions.
- #2025-030 (Jennifer & Alexander Rossano, 20 Park Way) proposed replacing and enlarging existing decks, removing a nonconforming shed and installing stormwater recharge; engineers confirmed retaining walls would remain at or below three feet and the board approved the variances.
- #2025-031 (Muhammad Hajj & Victoria Mencio, 27 Burlington Avenue) seeking a use variance for building height and bulk variances for a detached garage and third-floor room was carried to the April 27 meeting after the board requested additional information on flood-zone elevation and how height is measured relative to base flood elevation.
The board was notified that the Zoning Board case Sirois v. Nelson was dismissed. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
Next steps: Two applications (Team Express and Hajj & Mencio) were carried to April 27, 2026 for additional testimony or materials; other approvals included deed-restriction conditions noted in the minutes.
