Planning board conditionally approves variance for lakeside deck at 1 Johnson Avenue

Kelly Darling, a homeowner at 1 Johnson Avenue, told the Hopatcong Planning Board she and her husband seek a 22-foot deck to "enhance our outdoor living space and to enjoy the beautiful views of Lake Hopatcong." The board focused on the proximity of public utility wires and asked the applicant to secure written confirmation from JCP&L before permits are issued.

Darling said the utility provided guidance and had not forbidden construction: "They did not say that we cannot have a deck. They provided guidance on the size, and we're currently looking to get approval from them as well." The contractor testified JCP&L requires a 7.5-foot right-of-way from the pole center and 12 feet clearance where power enters the house; the applicant revised the decking to sit about 8.5 feet from the pole to meet that requirement. Board members said a JCP&L letter confirming conformance should be a condition of any approval.

After discussion, a motion to approve the variance passed with the condition that the applicant provide written confirmation from JCP&L about the clearance and safety standards before construction permits are issued. The board recorded multiple "yes" votes during roll call. The next procedural step for the applicant is to submit the JCP&L document and then seek permits from the borough building office.