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Record of Proceedings

Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting - June 30, 2026

Zoning Board — Tuesday, June 30, 2026
BodyEdison, New Jersey
SessionZoning Board
DateTuesday, June 30, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:37:16

Transcript — Verbatim
0:16

Township Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting of June 30th, 2026 is now in session.

0:22

Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice posted in the Home News and Tribune on December 4th, 2025, as opposed to the main lobby and municipal complex on December 4th, 2025.

0:36

Please join me in the pledge allegiance to the flag.

0:55

Madam Secretary, roll call, please.

0:58

Mr.

0:58

Carly.

1:00

Ms.

1:00

Knight.

1:01

Mr.

1:01

Magaletta.

1:02

Here.

1:02

Mr.

1:03

A.

1:04

Here.

1:04

Mr.

1:04

Chaba.

1:05

Here.

1:06

Mr.

1:06

Patel.

1:07

Here.

1:08

Mr.

1:08

Schneider.

1:09

Here.

1:09

Mr.

1:09

DeVay.

1:10

Here.

1:11

Mr.

1:11

Sadaha.

1:12

Here.

1:12

Vice Chair Gorman.

1:13

Here.

1:13

And Chairman Cumba.

1:14

Here.

1:15

Madam Secretary Minnesota for consideration.

1:18

Minutes of June 23rd, 2026 for approval.

1:23

What's the board's pleasure?

1:25

Motion to approve the minutes.

1:27

Second.

1:28

Motion made by Mr.

1:29

Schneider, second by Mr.

1:30

Patel.

1:30

Roll call, please.

1:31

Mr.

1:32

Chabra.

1:33

Yes to the motion.

1:34

Mr.

1:34

Schneider.

1:35

Yes to the motion.

1:36

Mr.

1:36

Patel.

1:37

Yes to the moose.

1:38

Mr.

1:38

DeVay.

1:39

Yes to the motion.

1:40

Mr.

1:40

Sadaha.

1:41

Yes to the motion.

1:41

By Cheryl Gorman.

1:42

Yes to the motion.

1:43

And Chairman Cumba.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use█████████████████████████████████████████████54%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████13%
Procedural████████9%
Transportation Safety██████7%
Public Safety████5%
Environmental Protection███4%
Water And Wastewater Management███4%
Community Engagement██2%
Public Engagement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting - June 30, 2026

The Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment convened on June 30, 2026, for a special meeting with a robust agenda. The board heard four cases, including a major utility substation application (PSENG), two residential variance requests (garage addition and home expansion), and a contentious gas station redevelopment proposal involving a convenience store and 27 variances. The board approved the first three applications unanimously and continued the fourth to September 29, 2026, to allow the applicant to address public and board concerns. A previously scheduled case was also postponed.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes of June 23, 2026 were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Case Z37-2025 (Ali Enterprises) : Extensive public comment from residents within 200 feet and beyond. Key concerns included:
    • Traffic and pedestrian safety: intersection already at Level of Service F; proposed improvements questioned.
    • Property value impacts: no study provided; residents fear decline.
    • Environmental risks: soil and groundwater contamination from decades of gas station use; board's engineer requested environmental impact study three times but not submitted.
    • Lighting and noise: proposed sign height (23.5 ft vs. 8 ft allowed), light spillage, vacuum noise.
    • Crime and safety: nearby burglaries, concern about convenience store becoming a hub for loitering and crime.
    • Zoning violation: project requires a D1 use variance; residents argued it does not meet legal criteria and cited a prior denial of a similar application.
    • Stormwater management: impervious coverage reduction claimed but disputed; no detention or retention proposed.
  • Residents also raised concerns about school bus stops, youth exposure to vaping/tobacco, and ADA compliance.

Discussion Items

  • Case Z5-2026 (PSENG substation) : Applicant presented cleanup testimony from civil engineer Michael Blake on gas line interference, responded to board engineer comments, and introduced new renderings (Exhibit A10). Security expert Jerry Sansaverino testified on risk assessment and coordination with police. Planner Jim Higgins qualified the use as inherently beneficial, citing township master plan support. Board questioned and accepted testimony. Public portion had no speakers. Motion to approve carried unanimously.
  • Case Z13-2026 (Jeremy Ginnethal garage addition) : Applicant sought one bulk variance for side yard setback (proposed 3.55 ft vs. 6 ft required). Testimony from applicant and planner John Chadwick noted similar garages in neighborhood, no public opposition, and de minimis impact. Approved unanimously.
  • Case Z9-2026 (Shiran Patel home addition) : Requested variances for FAR, lot coverage, and building coverage to accommodate multi-generational family. Testimony from architect Robert Wanthouse and planner John DuPont emphasized family need, compatibility, and no adverse impacts. Approved unanimously with conditions to submit revised plans.
  • Case Z37-2025 (Ali Enterprises) : Applicant's attorney Jason Tuvel proposed hearing public comments first, then continuing matter. Public portion was extensive. Applicant's engineers responded to questions on traffic, lighting, stormwater, and environmental remediation. Board allowed continuation to September 29, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • Case Z5-2026 (PSENG substation) : Approved unanimously (7-0). Motion included all testimony and conditions from April and June hearings. Applicant to provide electronic exhibits.
  • Case Z13-2026 (garage addition) : Approved unanimously (7-0). Motion cited de minimis variance and no detriment.
  • Case Z9-2026 (home addition) : Approved unanimously (7-0). Conditions: submit revised variance application, FAR certification, and updated architectural plans.
  • Case Z37-2025 (Ali Enterprises) : Continued to September 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM in council chambers. Applicant agreed to submit revised plans at least 10 days prior and extend board's time to act. No further notice will be sent.
  • Case Z8-2024 (Ultimate Collision) : Not heard; rescheduled to July 7, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Attendees were informed that no additional notice would be sent.
  • General: Board reminded participants of rules for decorum and public comment timing (6 minutes per speaker).

Meeting Transcript

Township Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment Special Meeting of June 30th, 2026 is now in session. Adequate notice of this meeting as required by the Open Public Meetings Act of 1975 has been provided by the annual notice posted in the Home News and Tribune on December 4th, 2025, as opposed to the main lobby and municipal complex on December 4th, 2025. Please join me in the pledge allegiance to the flag. Madam Secretary, roll call, please. Mr. Carly. Ms. Knight. Mr. Magaletta. Here. Mr. A. Here. Mr. Chaba. Here. Mr. Patel. Here. Mr. Schneider. Here. Mr. DeVay. Here. Mr. Sadaha. Here. Vice Chair Gorman. Here. And Chairman Cumba. Here. Madam Secretary Minnesota for consideration. Minutes of June 23rd, 2026 for approval. What's the board's pleasure? Motion to approve the minutes. Second. Motion made by Mr. Schneider, second by Mr. Patel. Roll call, please. Mr. Chabra. Yes to the motion. Mr. Schneider. Yes to the motion. Mr. Patel.

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