Owner withdraws boathouse application after board raises marina and lot-line concerns

Attorney Chris Colabella introduced variances for work on the boathouse at 125 Lakeside Boulevard, including a ground-floor bathroom, revised stairs, dormers for headroom and aesthetic upgrades. Owner and managing member Angel Nieves said he purchased the property with four rental units and described ongoing maintenance of the site.

The board spent substantial time reviewing the property's long history of prior resolutions and deed restrictions tied to COA (affordable housing) occupancy. Members questioned whether the boathouse had been converted to more bedrooms or units than earlier approvals allowed and whether the owner had complied with COA occupancy conditions. The board also examined a proposed floating dock and an existing cluster of boats and waverunners at the site.

Board members counted what appeared to be six boats and asked whether those slips meant the property functioned as a marina, which would trigger different regulations. The board also flagged proposed structures that would extend beyond the owner's lot line. After the exchange, Colabella said the application would not proceed in its current form. "I'm gonna withdraw the application. We'll reapply," he said. The attorney and owner indicated they will gather records (construction and tax assessment documents, NJDEP approvals) and return with a revised application that addresses the commercial-use and lot-line concerns.