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Zoning board approves variance for new home at undersized 54 King George Road
Summary
The Warren Township Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance allowing Myrtlewood, LLC to remove an existing dilapidated house and build a new home at 54 King George Road, finding the lot’s size hardship and public-safety and visual improvements justified relief.
The Warren Township Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 2 unanimously approved a variance for Myrtlewood, LLC to build a new single-family home at 54 King George Road on an undersized lot.
Attorney John Sullivan presented the application, saying the property is in the R-65 zone and that the lot’s area (51,351 square feet) falls short of the 65,340-square-foot minimum. Sullivan said the applicant will remove the existing structure and meet all bulk standards except for lot area.
Board Planner Michael Pessolano, offered as an expert witness, told the board the application satisfies both the c(1) and c(2) variance standards. He said the lot cannot be feasibly enlarged (c(1)) and that replacing a blighted house, relocating the driveway from busy King George Road to Thoresen Road, and meeting the remaining bulk requirements advance the purposes of zoning under c(2). “Adding to ‘harmonious zoning,’” Pessolano said, was among his professional findings.
Engineer Richard Nusser described the parcel as roughly 1.18 acres with frontage on King George and Thoresen roads and testified that township-required dedications will reduce the lot to about 49,145.6 square feet after an 8.5-foot right-of-way dedication on King George and a 15-foot roadway easement on Thoresen. Nusser said utilities will be placed underground and that prior underground storage tanks had been removed and certified.
Frank Russo, principal for the applicant, confirmed site cleanup (removal of concrete and fill) and said he intends to build the house rather than sell the lot. He also confirmed the driveway will be on Thoresen and that the site has an existing sewer connection; the on-site well will need relocation.
A neighbor, Raymond Seto of 3 Thoresen Road, asked whether wildlife had been removed from the boarded building; Russo responded that the structure had been boarded and there was nothing inside.
Board attorney Mark Peck, Esq., reminded members that “the only variance here is for undersize lot” and recited the c(1)/c(2) criteria. During deliberations several members said removing the rundown structure and relocating the driveway would benefit the neighborhood. A motion to approve was made by Mr. John Villani, seconded by Mr. Michael Galbraith; roll call showed votes in favor from Villani, Galbraith, Rica, Volante, Otto, Cooper, Calvo and Mulkins, with no votes opposed.
The board recorded the approval and set its next meeting for April 6, 2026.
