West Orange Compiled ZBA Application 5 15 24

INTRODUCTION 1.01 Purpose This Statement has been prepared in accordance with the Township of West Orange Land Use Regulations Chapter 25, Article II: Sections 25-51.9, b. and 25-51.10, b. and c., as outlined in Section G of the Township of West Orange Application Package to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. This statement addresses the “Proposal” and “Reasons for Relief,” accordingly, and identifies the proposed “C” and “D” Variance Requirements. The property in question is known as: PSE&G’s West Orange Switching Station Block 155, Lot 26.01 325 Mount Pleasant Avenue Township of West Orange, Essex County, NJ Property Owner / Applicant: Public Service Electric and Gas Company / Noreen Merainer 4000 Hadley Road South Plainfield, New Jersey, 07080 1.02 Current Use and Existing Site Conditions PSE&G’s West Orange Switching Station (Station) occupies approximately 23.36 acres at the intersection of Mount Pleasant and Prospect Avenues. The Station has existed in this location since 1928 and has almost 100 years of operation. The entire property falls within a total of three (3) zoning districts: O-R Office Research District encompasses the Station yards and a portion of the transmission right-of-way, whereas further to the northwest, the linear portion continues off-site through the adjoining Planned Unit Residential Development (PURD) Zone and R-5 Single Family Residential Zone. The Station is bound by office and retail businesses to the north; Mount Pleasant Avenue and a golf course to the south; Prospect Avenue and commercial businesses to the east; and office and medical facilities to the west. The uses that surround the Station include the following: o To the North: Planned Unit Residential Development (PURD) Planned Shopping Center (P-C) o To the South: Single-Family Residential Zone (R-1) [across the street] Single-Family Residential Zone (R-2) [across the street] [the adjacent R-2 parcel is developed as a golf course] o To the East: Retail Business (B-2) o To the West: Office Research (O-R), Office Redevelopment Alternative (O-RA) [the adjacent O-RA Zone is within the Organon Redevelopment Area] ______________________________________________________________________ 1