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Board approves small rear‑yard setback variance for 34 Seneca Drive addition
Summary
The Old Tappan planning board approved a variance allowing the replacement and modest enlargement of an existing rear sunroom at 34 Seneca Drive, citing the lot’s irregular shape and screening; the application included testimony from the applicant’s engineer and architect and a voice vote to approve.
The planning board voted to approve a variance that will allow the replacement of an existing 13-by-14 sunroom with a two‑story addition at 34 Seneca Drive.
William Rupp, the applicants’ attorney, opened the presentation and introduced the applicant’s witnesses. Licensed engineer Kenneth Degenero testified that the lot is about 29,000 square feet and that the proposed change would reduce the rear setback from about 30.1 feet to roughly 29.2 feet—“so it's just under a foot,” he said—while the floor‑area‑ratio would rise from about 0.11 to 0.14. Degenero added that there would be no wetlands or floodplain impacts and that no trees would be removed.
Architect Joseph Donato described the work as squaring off the existing octagonal sunroom and adding a bedroom over it; he said the rebuilt sunroom area is about 196 square feet and that the proposal does not increase building height. The borough engineer and planner noted the impervious increase would be minimal (roughly 3 square feet) and that a service permit would be required.
After questions from board members and the applicant’s witnesses, a member moved to approve the application and the board recorded affirmative votes; the board stated the variance was supported by the lot shape and the orientation of the existing structure. The approval was made with the usual condition that required permits and any plan details (including the architect’s elevations and final height labels) be submitted prior to construction.
