Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting – November 25, 2025

This special meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment addressed three applications, including a residential addition, a duplex site plan approval, and a large single‑family home with multiple variance requests. The board also approved several resolutions and handled procedural announcements.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of October 14, 2025, were approved unanimously via roll call (7‑0).
• Resolution Approvals: Five resolutions for one‑year extension or approval of prior applications were each approved unanimously:
  • E 22‑2023 (Edison Infinity)
  • D38‑2023 (Shinoi Construction)
  • C31‑2024 (Big Fish 1918 LLC)
  • Naneshwar Savante
  • Z26‑2025 (Salesh Patel)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Case Z19‑2025 (Jessica Lasky): Two residents spoke:
  • Steven Applebaum (37 Giggleswick Way) questioned the lack of a secondary egress from the proposed unfinished basement, expressing safety concerns. The applicant’s architect testified that the IRC does not require an outside entrance for an unfinished basement, but the owner agreed to install a Bilco door if the basement were ever finished.
  • Karen Bornez (284 Central Avenue) noted she received a hearing notice for November 18 but no written notice of the rescheduling, and asked about setback requirements and sidewalk/curb installation plans. The board confirmed proper notice and that a sidewalk would be installed.
• Other Cases: No public comment was offered for Case Z27‑2025 or the continued Case Z25‑2025.

Discussion Items

• Case Z27‑2025 – Barak Savan (4 Brandywine Court): The applicant sought bulk variances (floor area ratio from 37% to 40% and lot coverage – later corrected to 23.5% vs. 20% – but no footprint expansion) for a second‑story addition on a ranch‑style home to accommodate a growing family. The planner testified that only two ranch homes exist on the block (50 homes), and the proposed FAR of 0.40 (4,100 sq. ft.) is within the range of surrounding two‑story homes (4,000‑4,600 sq. ft.). The board questioned the lot coverage number and the architect’s error, and the applicant agreed to submit corrected plans. No public comment. The motion to approve included conditions: no additional kitchen, single‑family use remains, and an amended variance application to correct the building coverage figure. The vote was unanimous (6‑0; Mr. Chabra arrived late and did not vote).

• Case Z19‑2025 – Jessica Lasky (286 Central Avenue): This was a bifurcated application seeking preliminary and final site plan approval for a duplex (two units) on a site that already received a use variance in 2023. The applicant’s engineer and architect testified that the plan requires no additional variances, reduces impervious coverage by 3,000 sq. ft., and complies with all setback and stormwater requirements. Changes from the submitted plans (adding an unfinished basement, relocating HVAC condensers) were introduced as new exhibits (A2 through A5) to be submitted by the next day. The board conditioned approval on the basement remaining unfinished, no outside basement entrance, no future finishing or kitchen addition, and submission of the corrected plans. The vote was unanimous (7‑0).

• Case Z25‑2025 – Vivian Piera (1651 Woodlands Avenue): The applicant proposed a 14,346 sq. ft. single‑family home (French chateau style) on a 1.17‑acre lot in the RAA zone, requiring four variances: FAR (28% vs. 15% permitted), building coverage (15.3% vs. 10%), impervious coverage (27.1% vs. 25%), and combined side yard setback (40 ft. vs. 50 ft.). The architect described amenities including an indoor pool, media room, and six bedrooms. The board expressed concerns about the FAR being nearly double the allowable, especially given a prior subdivision resolution that stated no further bulk variances would be sought. The applicant requested a continuance to work with the township engineer on stormwater review and to potentially reduce the home’s size. The case was carried to February 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. No public comment was heard.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (Z27‑2025): Motion by Mr. DeVay, seconded by Mr. Patel. Approved unanimously (6‑0). Conditions: correct building coverage number, no additional kitchen, single‑family use.
• Approved (Z19‑2025): Motion by Mr. DeVay, seconded by Mr. Patel. Approved unanimously (7‑0). Conditions: basement unfinished, no outside entrance, no future finish/kitchen, submit revised plans (A2‑A5) by the next day.
• Carried (Z25‑2025): Continued to February 17, 2026, for stormwater review and potential design revisions.
• Announcements: Cases Z32‑2024 (Sachin Patel, withdrawn), Z13‑2025 (Lake Home Renovations, carried to Dec. 16, 2025), and Z2‑2020 (Lamar Advertising, carried to Dec. 16, 2025).