Mixed-Use Development Proposal Sparks Discussion at Berkeley Heights Zoning Board Meeting

Overview: The Berkeley Heights Zoning Board meeting on November 21, 2024, focused on a proposed mixed-use development on Springfield Avenue, which features a three-story building with a restaurant and residential units. The project, located across from the former Berkeley Plaza site, seeks several zoning variances, including for density, height, and parking. The proposed structure aims to address community needs while adhering to zoning standards, though it requires modifications due to its location in the HB Zone amidst a largely DD-zoned area.

Berkeley Heights Zoning Board Grants Two-Year Extension for School Bus Depot Traffic Study

Overview: The Berkeley Heights Zoning Board convened on October 24, 2024, addressing several applications, including a request for a two-year extension on a traffic study for a school bus depot, issues surrounding property expansion and driveway regulations, and A discussion about stormwater management and property line disputes.

Berkeley Heights Zoning Board Considers Settlement to Avoid Costly Litigation Over Development Dispute

Overview: The Berkeley Heights Zoning Board meeting focused heavily on the settlement of ongoing litigation involving a contested development project on Mountain Avenue. The board deliberated on the merits of a proposed settlement agreement to resolve the dispute, which would allow for the construction of four single-family homes alongside an existing church. This settlement arose from previous board decisions denying subdivision and variance relief, which led the applicant to file a complaint challenging the board’s decision as arbitrary and unsupported. The potential for the litigation to broaden into federal claims under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act further complicated matters, prompting the board to weigh the risks and costs associated with continued legal battles.

Berkeley Heights Zoning Board Reviews Pearl Street Rehabilitation Plan

Overview: The Berkeley Heights Zoning Board meeting on August 22, 2024, saw a detailed examination of a contentious rehabilitation project for a property on Pearl Street, which dominated the discussion. The meeting also covered other significant zoning applications, including a property on Liberty Avenue, but the Pearl Street project garnered the most attention due to its complexities and neighborhood impact.

Berkeley Heights Zoning Board Tackles Construction Concerns

Overview: In the latest Berkeley Heights Zoning Board meeting, the board examined several significant construction and renovation projects, with particular attention to an application for a property on Cellan Block, questions about soil movement in the Cinnamon Ridge area, and a debate on the development of a retaining wall and associated permits. These discussions brought to light concerns about adherence to zoning regulations, transparency, and the impact of construction activities on the local environment and community.