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Obolensky withdraws subdivision request and wins approval for Crescent Road addition
Summary
The Green Township Land Use Board on Dec. 12 approved amended application LU#2423 allowing homeowner Alexis Obolensky to build an ~860 sq ft addition and two-car garage at 13 Crescent Road after he withdrew a proposed subdivision; approval was conditioned on septic verification, revised plans, a deed merger and permits.
On Dec. 12, 2024 the Green Township Land Use Board approved amended application LU#2423, allowing homeowner Alexis Obolensky to add roughly 860 square feet — including a two-car garage, mud room and pantry — to his property at 13 Crescent Road after he withdrew a planned subdivision of the parcel.
Obolensky told the board he had acquired two adjacent vacant lots and initially proposed consolidating three existing parcels into two, arguing the merger would reduce septic intensity (from three systems to two) and avoid building a separate new home. After a recess and discussion about upcoming Master Plan changes that could affect lot-size standards, Obolensky said he would take the subdivision "off the table" and asked the board to proceed only on the bulk variances needed for the addition.
Board professionals had previously recommended granting temporary waivers to allow the hearing to move forward; Engineer Fred Stewart outlined existing nonconforming conditions for the original lots: Lot 10 (0.382 acres), Lot 11 (0.331 acres) and Lot 12 (0.275 acres) where 1.5 acres is required by the zoning district. Stewart said the proposed reconfigured lot 10.01 would increase to 0.450 acres and proposed lot 11.01 to 0.538 acres but that several setback and bulk variances would remain.
The board discussed and imposed a set of conditions before approval: verification of sufficient septic capacity, submission of a revised variance plan and zoning chart, driveway permit and driveway information, county verification of bedroom size/count, filing of a deed to formally merge the lots, and professional review of the revised plan. Board Attorney David Brady advised the applicant that starting construction before the resolution is published carries a 45-day appeal risk; Obolensky acknowledged the risk but agreed to proceed.
A motion by Board member Samuel Diaz to approve the amended LU#2423 passed by roll call (Joseph Cercone, Samuel Diaz, Ms. Douglass, Jenny Kobilinski, Sharon Mullen, Rick Wilson and Chairman Scott Holzhauer voted yes). Margaret Phillips had recused earlier due to a D variance for density and was not part of the vote.
Resident Doug Van Brunt of 18 Crescent Road had voiced opposition to the subdivision portion of the application earlier in the hearing, saying additional homes would increase traffic, stress local aquifers and increase noise during construction. Obolensky responded that his revised plan for a single addition was consistent with neighborhood character.
The applicant may return in the future to seek subdivision approval; for now, he has permission to pursue construction permits subject to the stated conditions and the 45-day appeal period.
