Planning Review Memo ZB 23 01 Williams

TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE 66 MAIN STREET, WEST ORANGE, N.J. 07052 Department of Planning and Development Tel: (973) 325-4108 SUSAN MC CARTNEY Fax: (973) 325-6359 Mayor Email: zoningboard@westorange.org TO: Zoning Board Members FROM: Paul Grygiel, AICP, PP, Township Planner DATE: January 19, 2023 RE: ZB-23-01/Williams Block: 76; Lot: 6; Zone: R-4 6 Merrywood Drive Seeking “c” variances for expansion of existing garage and house INTRODUCTION/LAND USE The applicant is requesting approval for a front yard variance to exacerbate an existing front yard deficiency to a private street and increase noncompliant lot coverage to construct an addition to an existing home. The property is irregular in shape, with street frontage on two sides as it is on a curve of Merrywood Drive. The lot area is 19,173 square feet (0.44 acres), which includes land within Merrywood Drive as the lot line extends into the street to the centerline or further. There is an in-ground pool and large paver patio in the rear yard of the property. The subject property is located in an area primarily developed with single-family residences. A multifamily residential development is also located in the vicinity to the south. Photos of the subject property are attached. SUBMISSIONS ITEM SIGNED BY DATE/REVISION Boundary Survey George R. Pronesti, P.L.S. 1/24/22 Architectural plans (5 sheets) Robert Murphy, RA 9/15/22 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.westorange.org 1

VARIANCES REQUIRED SECTION REQUIRED EXISTING PROPOSED VARIANCE 25-7.1 Minimum side 30 ft. 35.6 ft. 22 ft. “c” front yard 25-7.1 Maximum lot 40% 48.82% 51.46% “c” coverage 25-12.4 a.1 Garage Not permitted Not in required Encroaches in “c” location to encroach on yards required side a minimum front yard required front yard, side yard or side front yard DISCUSSION/RECOMMENDATIONS The applicant requires approval of at least two variances to construct a one-story addition to the side of an existing dwelling, which would be approximately 11.5 feet by 21 feet. The addition would result in the expansion and reconfiguration of an existing one-car garage to a two-car garage. The existing garage door facing the driveway in the interior of the lot would be removed. Two new garage doors facing the street would be provided instead, and the existing driveway would be expanded. New siding would be provided and would match the existing siding on the dwelling. The setback lines to the existing and proposed expanded garage on the applicant’s architectural plans are measured to the east lot line in Merrywood Drive. The architectural plans refer to the dimension as a side setback. It is noted a front yard in West Orange is measured from “the front street line of the lot and the front line of the nearest roofed portion of the building,” per the definition in the Land Use Regulations Ordinance. The definition of a “street line” in the Ordinance is “the dividing line between the street right-of-way and a lot, tract, or parcel of land which street line shall be no less than 25 feet from the center line of the street to right-of-way.” The Ordinance does not address the situation on the subject property, which has curved frontage on a street that is more akin to being a corner lot. I have calculated it as a “side front yard,” which would be typical for the side of a house on corner lot facing a side street. Therefore, strictly speaking the front yard

akin to being a corner lot. I have calculated it as a “side front yard,” which would be typical for the side of a house on corner lot facing a side street. Therefore, strictly speaking the front yard setback would need to be measured from a distance further back from the edge of pavement. It is acknowledged the existing lot and street arrangements for this lot are unique to this particular private street, but the Board and applicant should be aware of the above information. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.westorange.org 2

In addition, the existing lot coverage exceeds the maximum permitted, and is proposed to be increased by over 20 feet in width to provide access to the new doors of the proposed garage. The applicant should confirm the components included in the lot coverage calculations, and whether they include the paved area of Merrywood Drive, which would result in a higher number than the area measured from the curbline. Nonetheless, the proposed driveway width is over 40 feet, which well exceeds the typical dimension for a single-family home. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER www.westorange.org 3