Long Hill Zoning Board Approves Variance for Impervious Coverage Amid Drainage Concerns

The Long Hill Township Zoning Board of Adjustment convened on April 15, 2025, primarily to address applications related to bulk variances and impervious coverage issues. The board approved a notable variance request for an applicant seeking to exceed the permitted lot coverage in the R2 zone, while also discussing broader drainage and zoning issues affecting the community.

06:15The most notable topic of the meeting revolved around the application submitted by Salvatore Savvada, who requested a variance for impervious coverage at his property on Mercer Street. The applicant sought relief for exceeding the maximum allowable lot coverage, proposing a 24.6% coverage against the permitted 20% in the R2 zone. The board scrutinized the applicant’s request, focusing on the implications of the existing and proposed impervious surfaces, particularly the driveway and garage extension. The board’s legal advisor confirmed that all required notifications had been appropriately sent, allowing the board to proceed with the evaluation.

Savvada explained that the family had moved into their home in 2016, undertaking several renovations over the years. However, when applying for a permit for a new playroom, they discovered the impervious coverage discrepancy. The issue stemmed from a garage extension and the necessity of a driveway to access it. The board examined whether unused areas could be adjusted to reduce coverage, but Savvada insisted that all areas were in use.

The board’s professional noted the absence of a Certificate of Occupancy for the garage, prompting a request for an as-built survey. This survey would reveal if the garage and driveway were appropriately assessed for their impact on lot coverage. It was suggested that had the original garage application been submitted correctly, mitigation strategies could have been recommended to address the impervious coverage issue.

42:17Further discussions delved into the driveway width, which could accommodate delivery trucks like those from Amazon, and its necessity for parking and traffic management. Concerns were raised about water runoff and the lack of a comprehensive drainage system, as the property relied on a simple pipe discharging into a tributary. The board emphasized the importance of maintaining proper drainage systems to prevent overflow, highlighting that the property’s slope towards the street could exacerbate runoff issues.

20:07The board also considered the overall construction history, noting that the garage was built over existing impervious surfaces, which minimized additional runoff concerns. The expansion of a rear patio was identified as a notable change, although most improvements were seen as consistent with the original property layout.

32:40Despite these intricacies, the board found that Savvada had complied with necessary structural and water mitigation procedures, as confirmed by the stormwater management plans. The proposed drainage system, including dry wells, was deemed sufficient to manage runoff without negatively impacting neighboring properties. Consequently, the board approved the variance, with members expressing confidence in the applicant’s efforts to comply with zoning requirements.

In a related discussion, the board touched on a flexible C variance, with members largely agreeing that the applicant had fulfilled all engineering and water mitigation expectations. This sentiment was echoed by a board member who appreciated the applicant’s thorough adherence to the process. This approval was seen as beneficial for the applicant’s future endeavors, such as a potential pool installation.

37:38The board also addressed administrative matters, including a request from the planning board chairman to tackle issues during application reviews rather than waiting for the annual report. Although issues like generator placement were identified for future consideration, it was decided to defer them until the annual report due to the planner’s focus on affordable housing.

Looking ahead, the board discussed upcoming applications for May 6, which included cases involving impervious coverage and potential use variances. These applications involved properties with complex zoning histories due to lot consolidations over generations, necessitating further investigation by planning and legal teams.

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.

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