Little Falls Board Denies Zen Real Estate Building Application

In the most recent Little Falls Planning Board meeting, the Board denied the application from Zen Real Estate LLC for various variances required for their property development. This decision was reached due to a lack of affirmative votes. Zen Real Estate’s application had been a continuation from a previous hearing, and revised plans were presented which included a 20-foot setback and a 30-foot height, intended to address concerns about visual impact from neighboring properties. However, discussions at the meeting revealed persistent concerns about the visual impact of the rooftop and the safety of potential installations. Despite suggestions to condition any screening to the review and approval of the planner, the board could not resolve the variances being sought, leading to the denial of the application.

The board also engaged in discussions about a property in the B1 Zone, proposed to remain as a single-family home, which was situated on Cedar Grove Road. The orientation of the home was debated, with conflicting views on whether the front was Cedar Grove Road or Hudson. Variances for setbacks were a focal point of this discussion, and a physical survey of the property was introduced. Public comments were opened, but there were no speakers. The attorney for the property clarified the variances being sought, and after a debate focusing on the D1 use variance and the C variances, the board voted to approve the application. The approval was significant in that there was mention of the potential future rezoning of the property and surrounding properties to r1b.

Another matter involved a new application from Roger and Wendy McNeil for a D1 variance and several C1 variances to construct a new home. The McNeils’ attorney expressed confusion regarding the property’s zoning and highlighted the family’s long history with the home. While the architect presented plans that complied with flood zone requirements and discussed the addition of a fence that may require a variance, the board did not reach a decision on this application.

Furthermore, the board delved into proposed changes to a residence which included several extensions and an elevation of the foundation to meet flood elevation requirements. The architect assured the board of the home’s compliance with the special flood hazard area ordinance and addressed concerns regarding the height of the building, flood vents, and the conversion of a pantry to a laundry room. Discussions also covered the property’s connection to public utilities, the need for proper drainage, and a survey of the property. While the public had the opportunity to address the testimony, no one stepped forward. The board members continued to express concerns about the impact on the neighborhood and requested more information before rendering a decision.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
James Damiano
Planning Board Officials:

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording