Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting - May 19, 2026

The Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment held a special meeting on May 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM in council chambers. The board considered four cases: one continued from a prior hearing, two new applications for bulk variances, and one for bulk and use variances. Two cases were carried to future dates, and two were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of May 12, 2026 – Approved unanimously (motion by Vice Chairman Gorman, second by Mr. Schneider; roll call: all yes).
• Resolution Z36-2025 (PSE&G) – Approved unanimously (motion by Vice Chairman O'Gorman, second by Mr. Schneider; roll call: all yes).

Announcements

• Case Z31-2025 (Tanujah Adiani at 110 Calvert Avenue East) carried to June 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
• Case Z9-2026 (Srion's Patel at 20 Deborah Drive) carried to June 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Notices will not be re-sent.

Discussion Items

• Case Z6-2026: Rajesh Kumar Patel – 96 Overbrook Avenue

  • Applicant sought bulk and use variances for a second-story addition to an existing single-family dwelling. Variances requested: FAR (max 44%, proposed 59.4%), lot coverage (max 40%, proposed 46.9%), building coverage (max 23%, proposed 38.6%), front yard setback (required 25 ft, proposed 7.2 ft and 2.3 ft).
  • Applicant testified that the extended family of seven (including elderly parents and in-laws) requires additional space, especially after his father-in-law’s fall in November 2025. The family wishes to remain in the community.
  • Planner Paul Fletcher testified that the lot is undersized (50 ft x 100 ft vs. conforming 75 ft x 100 ft), and that the same house on a conforming lot would meet most standards. He argued the FAR variance is not a true use variance and the proposal is consistent with the zone.
  • Architect Venu Patel described the design and noted that the house would be improved with new materials.
  • Board members expressed concerns about the lack of a site plan, grading plan, and neighborhood comparison. Chairman criticized the presentation as lacking specifics. The board decided not to vote and instead carry the case to allow the applicant to prepare a more complete submission.
  • The applicant agreed to extend the board’s time to act until August 2026. The case was carried to July 28, 2026 (the next available meeting, with summer schedule noted).

• Case Z3-2026: Suresh Mandenka – 97 Garden Terrace

  • Applicant sought bulk and use variances for a second-story addition to a single-family home. Variances: FAR (max 44%, proposed 64%), lot coverage (max 40%, proposed 43%), side yard setbacks (combined min 18 ft, proposed 9.54 ft; one side min 6 ft, proposed 4.77 ft), lot width (min 75 ft, proposed 50 ft), lot area (min 7,500 sq ft, proposed 5,000 sq ft).
  • Applicant testified that he and his wife and two daughters have lived in the small one-bedroom home since 2008, and that his in-laws are planning to move in next year. He is a longtime resident and active in the local BAPS temple.
  • Architect Venu Patel described the cramped existing conditions and the proposed improvements.
  • Planner John DuPont testified that the lot is historically undersized, that most neighboring lots are also 50 ft x 100 ft, and that the proposed FAR is largely due to the lot size. He presented exhibits showing that many nearby homes have been expanded similarly. He argued the variances meet C1 (hardship) and C2 (flexible) criteria.
  • Board members questioned the size of an adjacent property (93 Garden Terrace) and requested more information. The applicant agreed to carry the case for a vote only on June 23, 2026, with no extension needed.

Key Outcomes

• Case Z8-2026: Harish Gauda – 52 Alexander Street – Approved unanimously (motion by Mr. Chabra, second by Vice Chairman O’Gorman). The applicant received a 10-foot rear yard setback variance to extend an existing deck from 5 ft x 21 ft to 15 ft x 21 ft (open, uncovered). The board found the request minimal with no detrimental impact; no public opposition.
• Case Z7-2026: Michelle Campbell – 4 Fielding Avenue – Approved unanimously (motion by Mr. Chabra, second by Vice Chairman O’Gorman). The applicant received variances for a front yard setback of 28.5 ft (required 35 ft) and a rear yard setback of 43.69 ft (required 60 ft) to construct a new single-family dwelling. The applicant had revised the facade from a prior approval, and the board noted that the existing wood deck would be removed (as per the submitted site plan) and that the rear terrace would not be covered. No public opposition.
• Case Z6-2026 – Continued to July 28, 2026, to allow the applicant to submit a site plan, grading plan, and neighborhood comparison. Board’s time to act extended to August 2026.
• Case Z3-2026 – Continued to June 23, 2026, for a vote only. No extension needed.