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Board pauses on balconies after engineers find several under 10-foot setback
Summary
Amzac's amendment adds usable balconies and terraces to apartment buildings; engineers identified roughly 40 balconies and several spots where balconies are closer than the township's 10-foot building-to-curb guideline. The board requested structural and safety mitigations and continued the hearing to Sept. 8 for detailed review.
The applicant's architect and engineer reported that new full balconies and private terraces are proposed on the apartment buildings; an exhibit shown to the board locates 40 new balconies and 12 private terraces. Several proposed balconies would be closer than the township's 10-foot separation from curb/edge of pavement — in a few locations as close as about 4.4 to 5.7 feet — prompting safety and code questions from board members and staff.
Architect Michael Lawson said the balconies are usable outdoor spaces stacked vertically and supported on posts with open space beneath, not Juliet rails; the engineer suggested curb stops, reinforced footings or 18-inch raised structural elements at the curb as potential mitigations. Board planner/engineer staff asked the applicant to provide structural drawings, a crash‑protection assessment and revised plan sheets. The board recessed and set a continuation to Sept. 8 so professionals can evaluate whether a variance or different design (Juliet rails or infill) is necessary.
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