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North Caldwell Zoning Board approves variances for 356 Central Avenue with conditions
Summary
The North Caldwell Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 11 approved variances to allow second-story infill and porch/stoop alterations at 356 Central Ave., permitting limited increases in impervious coverage and a reduced side-yard setback, subject to six conditions including removal of a driveway encroachment and a 10-foot A/C setback.
The North Caldwell Zoning Board of Adjustment approved variances for renovation work at 356 Central Avenue at its Feb. 11 meeting, allowing second-floor infill, a new stoop and modest increases in impervious coverage under specified conditions. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Gary Irwin, the applicants' representative and a sworn qualified witness, told the board the lot is irregular — 116.25 feet wide where 125 feet is required — and that the proposal seeks a side-yard setback variance plus relief for lot/impervious coverage for the first 175 feet of the lot. Irwin said principal-structure coverage would remain within the ordinance limits (12.79% existing, 13.86% proposed with 15% permitted) and described modest second-story infill areas of about 8.9 feet and 8.6 feet on opposing corners. He argued the project "would be de minimis as it would not result in any environmental issues or any detriment to the neighborhood."
Board Engineer Candice Davis and members probed measurements, stoop roof projections and existing encroachments. The record shows a discrepancy between the applicants' requested overall impervious coverage (31.36%) and the denial letter (31.32%); the board required that the portion of a stone driveway extending beyond the property line be removed. Davis advised the minor-development threshold for stormwater management would not be reached by the proposal.
Board Member Mara Dooskin moved to approve the application with six stipulations; Rick Berger seconded. The board’s conditions require, among other items, that the applicants "waive the 5% lot coverage reserve," limit maximum lot coverage to 31.36%, set a side-yard setback of 13.9 feet, ensure the front stoop does not encroach further than the existing 48.5 feet into the front setback, remove the portion of driveway beyond the property line and maintain a 10-foot setback for A/C units. The motion carried unanimously with six affirmative votes (Chairman Robert Augustitus, Rick Berger, Mara Dooskin, Scott Wormser, Roxana Demel and Timothy Fisher).
The board also recorded that the house was built in 1978 and that some nonconformities (impervious coverage and a 14.1-foot side-yard) predate the current ordinance. No additional formal appeals or follow-up hearings were scheduled at the meeting.
