Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025
Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025
The Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment held a regular meeting on November 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. The board considered two cases: a bulk variance application for a rear addition at 3 Bradford Road (Case Z20-2025) and a bulk variance application for a second-story addition at 36 Rainford Road (Case Z27-2025). The first case was approved unanimously; the second was continued to December 16, 2025, pending a floor area ratio (FAR) certification.
Discussion Items
- Case Z20-2025 – Janana Patel, 3 Bradford Road: The applicant sought bulk variances to construct a rear addition to a split-level home in the RE zone. The required rear yard setback is 60 feet (proposed 47 feet), and the minimum lot depth is 150 feet (existing 135 feet, non-conforming). The architect, Joanne Montero, testified that the addition would add a sunroom and a second floor above an existing garage, resulting in four bedrooms and four baths. The board found no public opposition and determined the variances met positive and negative criteria.
- Case Z27-2025 – Vikas Sharma, 36 Rainford Road: The applicant requested a bulk variance to construct a second-story addition and a first-floor side addition on a duplex in the PRD zone. The required side yard setback is 15 feet; proposed is 5.125 feet. The architect, Robert Hernandez, described the need for additional space for a family of six, including a home office and guest bedrooms. The planner, John Chadwick, testified that the layout is a classic C-1/C-2 variance due to the odd-shaped lot (wider front, narrower rear) and that similar expansions are common in the neighborhood. The board noted that a FAR certification is required per Section 37-63.1 of the Edison zoning code, which applies to the PRD zone. The applicant’s attorney agreed to submit the certification before the next hearing.
Key Outcomes
- Case Z20-2025: Approved unanimously by roll call vote (Mr. Cerito, Mr. Chabra, Vice Chair O'Gorman, Chairman Kamba all voted yes). The applicant may proceed with the addition as proposed.
- Case Z27-2025: Continued to December 16, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. The applicant must submit a FAR certification to the zoning officer and board. If the FAR exceeds the allowed 25% (or applicable adjusted ratio), a use variance may be required, necessitating re-noticing. The existing notice for this case serves as sufficient notice for the continued date.
- Closed Session: The board entered closed session (motion by Vice Chair O'Gorman, second by Mr. Chabra) and later returned to public session to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting Transcript
As posted in the main lobby of the missile complex of Den December 18, 2024. Please join me a pleasure Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Council roll call, please. Mr. Sur Mr. Sarita? Here. Mr. Patel? Here. Mr. Gor O'Gorman. Here. Um Chabra. Chabra. Looking the other direction. Mr. Mr. Kamba. Here. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, Council. Um, all right. So good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is a regular meeting of the Township Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment. The board is composed of Edison Township residents appointed by the municipal council who volunteer their time and service to the board. Ms. Land Use Law requires a members successfully complete a land use training course administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. This board also holds in-house training conducted by our board professionals. The zoning board abides by the provision of the municipal land use law in addition to our board's bylaws. The zoning board is a quasi-judicial land use board, which differs from the township planning board. Under the municipal land use law, board members are required to be impartial and not allowed to discuss any case prior to being considered at a hearing. All applicants will have the opportunity to present their case before the board, along with the opportunity for board members and board professionals to question the applicant and their witnesses. Residents may ask questions of the applicant. The applicant's professionals and board professionals. Under the law, the chair is allowed to stop any commentary, which is repetitive, whereas an attempt to filibuster the board. Further, chair is allowed to stop any commentary that is irrelevant to the case or prohibited from the board's consideration. Once public portion is closed, all public comments are ended unless new testimony is presented by the applicant. Following the closure of the public portion, the applicant will have the right of summation on their application. Following summation, the case will go to the board for decision. This procedure has been followed by the board and is similar to the procedures followed by boards of adjustment statewide. The Ms. Land Use Law requires the board to engage in a balancing act. Is not required to strictly apply township ordinances, zoning plan, or master plan. As a board of adjustment, all variances are granted when appropriately necessary. Following all legal considerations, as has been the case of prior boards, this board will see where we're at if we are in session around 1030 p.m. I hope that's not the case this evening. The chair will not tolerate any outbursts by applicants, professionals, or the public. Further, since most cases are being recorded by a court reporter, I ask the speakers do not speak over one another. Council, uh first case on the agenda, please.
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