Board of Adjustment Approves After-the-Fact Driveway Widening at 2 Washington Place, Johnson Dissenting

Oliver and Laurie Sanders of 2 Washington Place returned to Glen Ridge's Board of Adjustment on December 10, 2020 with the same driveway apron variance discussed at the prior meeting -- except this time, Chair Mahoney noted, the driveway had already been widened to the requested 21 feet from the previously existing 12 feet, meaning the board was being asked to approve the expansion after the fact. Board members flagged that the town's ordinance lacks clarity on whether the board is meant to review driveway widening on the homeowner's side of the property line, and questioned whether the borough can even require a permit for a driveway expansion in the first place. Secretary Erik DeLine said he would look into the question and recommend ordinance language changes to the Borough Council.

No members of the public spoke. The board voted to approve the driveway expansion, 5-1: Mahoney, Berger, Scott, Krien, and Velechko voted yes, while Johnson voted no. The board also adopted its prior month's minutes with changes, with member Berger abstaining.