Zoning Board of Adjustment — January 7, 2026
At its 2026 reorganization the Board swore in five members, elected Baumann chair and Pochtar vice chair, and appointed its professionals, all 7-0. It decided, 7-0, that ministers' residences at New Testament Ministries, 40 Whitenack Road, are a permitted accessory use; approved a lot-coverage variance at 37 Gold Blvd.; found the CIG Mt Airy subdivision incomplete; and memorialized seven December approvals. One member of the public spoke.
- Development
- Government
Meeting recording
Recording plays on the township archive
This meeting does not play on this page. The township's recording is complete and plays in full on the township's own channel.
What happened
What the record shows
Attendance and oaths
Present: Baumann, Kraus, Ladyzinski, Lindeman, Pochtar, Silver and Trapp. Absent (excused): D’Andrea and Herrera. Board Attorney Christopher J. Sobieski swore in Karl Kraus (regular member, term to December 31, 2029), Benjamin Lindeman and Elizabeth Silver (regular, unexpired terms to 2027), Susan Trapp (regular, unexpired term to 2028) and John Ladyzinski (Alternate #1, to 2026). Nancy D’Andrea, listed on the agenda as Alternate #2, was absent; she was sworn in on February 4.
Reorganization
Every vote was 7-0 (Aye Baumann, Kraus, Ladyzinski, Lindeman, Pochtar, Silver, Trapp) or carried with all eligible members in favor.
- Officers: Chairperson Baumann, Vice Chairperson Pochtar, Vice Chairperson Pro Tem Kraus.
- Professionals: Board Attorney Steven K. Warner, Esq., of Savo, Schalk, Corsini, Warner, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher (Res. #26-01); Board Engineer Thomas J. Quinn (Res. #26-02); Board Traffic Engineer John J. Jahr, Bright View Engineering (Res. #26-06); Board Planner David Schley; Secretary Joanne Slaman. The township’s contract-award notice gives not-to-exceed amounts of $20,000 (legal), $5,000 (engineering) and $5,000 (traffic engineering).
- Rules and calendar: 2026 Rules and Regulations (Res. #26-03), the 2026 meeting schedule (Res. #26-04) and the Policy of Adequate Notice (Res. #26-05). Official newspapers: the Bernardsville News and the Courier News.
Applications
See land use applications. Each vote was 7-0.
- ZB25-031 New Testament Ministries, 40 Whitenack Road (Block 2301 Lot 32): an interpretation of “clergyman’s residence,” a conditional use in the R-1 zone that the ordinance does not define. The applicant proposed converting two floors of existing school rooms into residences for eight permanent ministers, with space for five visiting ministers, and no exterior changes. Sobieski said no conditions can be imposed on an interpretation and the resolution reflects only the current request at this location. The Board decided the use is not a permitted principal use but is a permitted accessory use, customary and subordinate to this house of worship, based on the concept plans and testimony.
- ZB25-019 Chander, 37 Gold Blvd. (Block 5701 Lot 11): a lot-coverage variance to replace a deck with an enclosed addition on a lot limited by wetlands, with a green roof for runoff, conservation and riparian-zone easements, and an annual green-roof maintenance letter. Approved under the c(2) criteria.
- ZB25-035 CIG Mt Airy LLC, 180-188 Mt. Airy Road (Block 2401 Lot 3), preliminary and final major subdivision and “d” variances: deemed incomplete; Schley’s memo listed eight open items. Second completeness hearing set for February 4.
Resolutions memorialized
Seven December approvals, each 4-0 (Aye Baumann, Kraus, Pochtar, Trapp; Ladyzinski, Lindeman and Silver ineligible): ZB25-026 Shah, ZB25-030 Stoddard, ZB25-024 Bond, ZB25-027 DeVries, ZB25-021 Barbieri, ZB25-028 D & E Window and Door, LLC and ZB25-029 Borsuk.
Minutes and other business
The December 3 minutes were adopted. Kraus, Pochtar and Silver volunteered as the landscaping committee for The Pingry Corporation (ZB24-024, 131 Martinsville Road) under a condition of its 2025 approval. Chairwoman Baumann cancelled the January 15 special meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:09 PM.
Public participation
One person spoke. Todd Edelstein of Riverside Drive, on the New Testament Ministries interpretation, was concerned that the number of residents could grow over time to families rather than individuals. No one spoke on ZB25-019.
Records
- Minutes (township document page; reorganization and memorializing resolutions attached)
- Agenda, reorganization and agenda, regular session (township document pages)
- Notice of decision and notice of 2026 contract awards (township notices)
- Video on the township’s YouTube channel. This page follows the Board’s minutes.