December 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Minutes - WEHI

Klein: N Mayor McCartney: Y *The application was denied at the December 11, 2025, Planning Board special meeting. * PB-24-16 Essex County Country Club Block: 156 Lot: 1 Zone: R-2 350 Mount Pleasant Avenue The applicant, Essex County Country Club proposes a number of improvements to an existing pool house building on the subject site. The improvements include the expansion of a covered walkway, construction of an open-air covered bar area with a grill area, expansion of existing patio, and construction of pergola with seating underneath. PRESENTATION The attorney for the applicant, Lisa John-Basta, stated the site measures approx. 176 acres in size. It is the oldest country club in the state of New Jersey and has been located at this site in West Orange since 1917. The property has been built with a golf course and a club house and other structures including a pool house and a pool patio area since 1978. The application is to do some renovations to the existing pool house and some improvements within the pool house area. The bar that is being proposed is not the primary use and it is also open to the public. In the permitted use schedule, there is a clear column that says permitted principle uses, golf course and golf clubhouse. There’s another column that says permitted accessory uses which states customary accessory building or structure related to the principal use. The applicant submits the pool house is an accessory use to the principal use of the golf course and golf clubhouse. The purpose of notice is to identify the nature of the application to be considered, not if you are going to get a liquor license. The attorney also introduced Exhibit Al Amendment Application Filed 4/09/24 and Exhibit A2 Filing Application Amendment 10/10/24 that were marked during the meeting. The notice the applicant submitted states the pavilion is being constructed for a bar seated area. They also included they are continuing to sell alcohol from the premises. The golf course itself is licensed to sell alcohol. Both structures, the club house and pool house, are also licensed. BOARD QUESTIONS PROFESSIONALS QUESTIONS PUBLIC QUESTIONS GENERAL DISCUSSION PUBLIC COMMENT