Edison Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – August 25, 2026

The Edison Township Zoning Board of Adjustment held its regular meeting on August 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The board considered six applications, including three for single-family home variances, two for public utility infrastructure upgrades, and one for a religious-use amendment. Several cases were carried over from prior hearings. The board denied two applications and approved four, with votes reflecting careful deliberation on safety, neighborhood character, and statutory criteria.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes of July 7, 2026, and July 28, 2026, were approved unanimously via roll call.
• Resolution Approvals: Resolutions Z-15-2026 (Swan Nujan) and Z-53-2019 (American Outdoor Ford Denial) were adopted unanimously.

Announcements

• Case Z-31-2025 (Tanujia Adiani): Carried to October 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
• Case Z-8-2024 (Ultimate Collision): Carried to November 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sacred Foundation (Z-8-2025) – Public Hearing Portion: Approximately 15 residents spoke, split between supporters (many from the Hindu community seeking a closer temple) and opponents (primarily from the adjacent Park Gate condominium community). Opponents emphasized safety hazards from wrong-way traffic on Park Gate Drive, citing personal near-accidents and a photograph showing a vehicle exiting the wrong lane. Supporters argued the temple is a small tenant (2,800 sq. ft.) and offered to voluntarily avoid using the north entrance, with conditions including signage and a six-month look-back. The board heard that the original approval (October 2025) required the north entrance to remain permanently closed; the applicant sought to amend that condition. Several residents noted that the traffic conflict is a landlord-tenant issue, not a zoning matter.

Discussion Items

• Case Z-2-2026 – Emma Craw (194 Washington Ave): Minor subdivision with bulk variances for two single-family homes. Attorney Thomas Barlow summarized that the proposal fit the neighborhood of undersized, nonconforming lots. The board's motion to disapprove cited failure to meet positive/negative criteria and zoning standards (minimum lot 7,500 sq. ft., width 75 ft., etc.). Vote: 6–1 (denied).
• Case V-10-2026 – Middlesex Water (83): D6 height variance for a 10-foot height increase (to 55 ft.) for a silo and building at water treatment plant. Attorney Richard Skolnick argued the project is driven by federal/state PFAS mandates and is an inherently beneficial use. Testimony covered stormwater improvements, parking, and tree coordination. Vote: Unanimous (approved).
• Case Z-6-2026 – Rajesh Kumar Patel (96 Overbrook Ave): Bulk and use variances to demolish an existing home and build a new two-story dwelling. Variances included FAR (proposed 55.4% vs. 40% max), lot coverage (27.5% vs. 23%), front yard setbacks (6 ft. on Briar, 21 ft. on Overbrook). Applicant’s planner Paul Fletcher noted improvements from prior application (reduced FAR from 59.4% to 55.4%). The applicant agreed to cap FAR at 0.50 as a condition. Vote: Unanimous (approved).
• Case Z-14-2026 – Priyang Patel (37 Gurley Road): Bulk and use variances for a new two-story home with one-car garage. Variances: FAR 0.487 (max 0.44), height 32.5 ft. (max 32 ft.), lot coverage 27% (max 23%), rear yard 22.9 ft. (min 30 ft.), lot area 7,111 sq. ft. (min 7,500). Planner John DuPont testified the lot is undersized and irregular, and the new home will match recent nearby constructions. Vote: Unanimous (approved).
• Case Z-11-2026 – NJ American Water (2160 Oak Tree Road): Use variance and site plan to expand an existing booster pump station (non-conforming use in OSRC zone). Engineer Joseph Bon Giovanni testified the project involves 635 sq. ft. increase (building to 1,600 sq. ft.) and minimal impervious coverage (938 sq. ft. increase). Planner McKinley Mertz classified the use as inherently beneficial, meeting positive criteria, and concluded no negative impacts due to heavy buffering and 575-ft. setback from residences. Vote: Unanimous (approved).

Key Outcomes

• Denied: Z-2-2026 (Emma Craw) – Motion to disapprove by Vice Chair O’Gorman, seconded by Schneider; vote 6–1 (no only from Mr. Sadaha).
• Approved: V-10-2026 (Middlesex Water) – Motion by Vice Chair O’Gorman, seconded by Siddata; unanimous.
• Denied: Z-8-2025 (Sacred Foundation) – Motion to deny by Vice Chair O’Gorman, seconded by Schneider; vote 6–1 (no from Mr. Johnny).
• Approved: Z-6-2026 (Rajesh Patel) – Motion by Mr. Chabra, seconded by Schneider; unanimous with condition FAR ≤ 0.50.
• Approved: Z-14-2026 (Priyang Patel) – Motion by Vice Chair O’Gorman, seconded by Siddata; unanimous.
• Approved: Z-11-2026 (NJ American Water) – Motion by Vice Chair O’Gorman, seconded by Cerrito; unanimous.