The single-family home proposal, presented by Jatah House LLC, underwent several revisions before earning the board’s approval. The applicant’s representative, Benjamin Wi, and architect, Nihal Javar, detailed the changes made to meet the board’s previous feedback regarding setback, coverage, and height requirements. Despite these modifications, a floor area ratio (FAR) variance was still necessary due to the undersized lot. The final plans included a reduction of the home’s total floor area by approximately 200 square feet, bringing the FAR calculation to an acceptable 0.287 from a previous 0.305.

The board’s discussion hinged on this FAR variance, with members seeking a thorough understanding of the new square footage and its implications. Mr. Wi assured the board that the changes, which included pushing back a bedroom and removing an extension, did not significantly alter the character of the building. The applicant’s testimony emphasized that the proposed home would not negatively impact the community and would be aesthetically pleasing, adding value to the neighborhood and aligning with Edison’s municipal land use law’s purposes.

The board’s approval of the single-family home proposal was not without scrutiny. Council members compared the footprint of the proposed house with nearby buildings, noting that the 2477 square feet footprint was within range of surrounding structures. These deliberations, however, did not hinder the approval of the proposed plan.

In the second part of the meeting, the Council turned its attention to Phoenix Realty and Management LLC’s application for a school bus depot. The proposed site at 651 King George Road currently houses a one-story garage and existing monopole. The plan included minor site improvements such as lighting, landscaping, and fencing repairs along with the layout for 33 buses and 10 employee parking stalls.

The Council’s concerns centered on potential noise and the assurance that all work would be performed inside the building. Asach Bajani, owner of Phoenix Realty LLC, addressed these concerns, verifying that all work would be done indoors and operating hours would minimize disturbances to neighbors. The Council also reviewed the proposed site plan with professional engineer and planner, Mr. John Dupont, who clarified the relief and variances sought for the project and explained the layout for bus storage.