Grossman Steck September 4

Peter G. Steck Community Planning Consultant 80 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040-1252 (973) 762-6568 Steckplan@gmail.com September 4, 2026 PLANNING EVALUATION RE: Max Grossman Board of Adjustment Application ZB 26-01 Block 146, Lot 72 15 Alan Street Township of West Orange Introduction Max Grossman and his wife reside in the single-family dwelling at 15 Alan Street. He is seeking approval from the Board of Adjustment to expand his free-standing garage in the rear of the property by increasing the “footprint” 8 feet further to the front and by adding a second level under a gambrel roof with a dormer. The purpose of the expansion is to better accommodate his existing accessory woodworking hobby and home occupation and to accommodate this personal pickup truck. (Mr. Grossman has been the woodshop teacher at West Orange High School for the last 11 years.) Because the proposed expansion involves variances from the dimensional standards for an accessory structure as well as home occupation standards, Mr. Grossman is seeking both a “use” variance and dimensional variances. This Planning Evaluation has been prepared on behalf of Mr. Grossman. It concludes that the statutory proofs are present that warrant approval of the requested variances. This Planning Evaluation is being provided in advance of planning testimony anticipated to be presented on September 17, 2026. Description of Existing Conditions Lot 72 in Block 146 is a 40.00 foot by 119.62 foot rectangular lot with an area of 4,784.8 square feet. It is situated on the north side of Alan Street, one lot in from the intersection with Valley Way. The lot contains a small single-family dwelling and a free- standing two-car garage as shown on Plate I. The garage has a side setback of 5.13 feet and a rear setback of 4.65 feet with a further intrusion into the rear setback built by the prior owner. Without the small rear addition, the existing garage has dimensions of 18.74 feet in width by 19.18 feet in depth. Description of Existing Use As previously indicated, Mr. Grossman is a woodshop teacher at West Orange High School. He uses his woodworking skills at home for his own enjoyment and as an accessory home occupation. In his garage he creates unique pieces of furniture, repairs furniture, and crafts other wood items such as toys and kitchen utensils for his own use and for sale. He has been engaged in

e occupation. In his garage he creates unique pieces of furniture, repairs furniture, and crafts other wood items such as toys and kitchen utensils for his own use and for sale. He has been engaged in this activity since 2018 with no signage and with no adverse comments from anyone in the area.