Zoning board reverses denial, allows equipment‑storage use at Mount Airy Road under conditions

The Bernardsville Zoning Board on July 20 voted to reverse a zoning officer’s determination and grant an appeal filed by Mount Airy Holdings LLC for property at 161‑163 Mount Airy Road (Block 119, Lot 7). The board’s resolution reverses the earlier denial and allows the proposed continuation of a nonconforming equipment‑storage and aviation‑lighting‑systems use subject to conditions.

The resolution memorialized that the property previously held a certificate of nonconformity (dated April 21, 2022) and that the applicant represented by attorney Stephen M. Merman submitted testimony and exhibits showing the site has been used for equipment storage and related activities. Applicant witnesses testified Connell Electric Inc would be a tenant, the operation would be primarily indoor storage of electrical and aviation lighting materials and that the proposed hours of operation will be 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with an anticipated staff level of up to 80 employees at peak activity.

The zoning officer’s written denial was cited in the record; the officer had concluded the new proposed use was of greater intensity than the prior nonconforming use and therefore required use‑variance relief. After testimony from planners and engineers and public input, the board found the proposed use to be consistent with the prior nonconforming use as described in the record and granted the appeal with conditions: hours limitations, indoor storage until a formal site plan is approved, submittal of a site plan and exhibits to the board within six months, payment of fees and compliance with outside agency permits when required.

The resolution was adopted by motion and roll call vote; the board’s decision is conditioned on the applicant meeting the stated submittal and permitting requirements.