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Mahwah board approves variances for 800 Wyckoff Ave. after plan revisions to cut impervious surface
Summary
The Board of Adjustment granted "C" variances to the Kathleen MJ Harmon Living Trust for 800 Wyckoff Avenue after applicant-submitted revisions reduced impervious coverage by 453 sq ft to 42.9%; the board cited driveway turnaround and traffic safety in approving the plan, voting 5-0.
On July 22, 2026 the Township of Mahwah Board of Adjustment approved "C" variances for the Kathleen MJ Harmon Living Trust at 800 Wyckoff Avenue to permit exceeded lot coverage and a reduced front-yard setback, following revised plans presented by the applicant’s engineer that reduced impervious area.
Applicant counsel David York and engineer Michael Roth, P.E., P.P., described specific reductions: the rear patio was cut by 109 square feet, side walkways by 80 square feet, a raised garden area (126 square feet) was removed, and the driveway backup area was reduced by 138 square feet. Mr. Roth said the changes "remove 453 square feet of impervious surface, reducing the impervious coverage to 42.9%" and told the Board the revisions "propose no detriment to the public good, in his opinion." (Mr. Michael Roth, President, Roth Engineering LLC.)
Board members focused on driveway turnaround and neighborhood traffic safety on Wyckoff Avenue. Board member Mr. Kearney said he was "more inclined to allow the applicant to keep the driveway as is for safety purposes, in order to have ample space to safely get in and out of the driveway as Wyckoff Avenue is a busy County Road." Township Engineer Michael J. Kelly, PE, advised that a turnaround area is needed and would be "more advantageous to keep the driveway as it is today" for safety and ease of use.
After discussion the Board moved from the public hearing into a work session and voted to approve the applicant’s revised plan. The motion was made by Mr. Sitar and seconded by Mr. Taylor; a roll call vote recorded five ayes (Mr. Kearney, Mr. Lockwood, Mr. Serna, Mr. Sitar and Mr. Taylor). The public hearing had been continued from May 6, 2026 and was closed before the work-session vote. The Board did not request additional changes beyond those presented. Minutes of the July 22 meeting are to be provided to the Board for approval at the regular meeting on August 5, 2026.
