Board of Adjustment — July 7, 2026

The Board of Adjustment’s minutes of this regular meeting, approved at its September 1 meeting, are on the Township’s Documents-On-Demand portal, linked from its Agendas/Minutes page, in the Board of Adjustment minutes folder. Chairman Andersen called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. Present were Chairman Andersen, Vice Chair Walch, Larry Fox, Michael Cuttitta, Richard Albanese, Sean Sullivan, Art Quade and Kenneth Iselin; Michael Pappas and Vicki Cook were absent. Also present were Township Engineer Doug Ball and Board Attorney Christopher Sobieski, with Board Planner Kendra Lelie attending via Teams.

Symrise, 170 Industrial Parkway: extension of time

The Board adopted Resolution No. BOA 2026-011, an extension of time for Symrise, Inc., Block 17, Lot 18, 170 Industrial Parkway, Case No. 2015-003A PFSP Amended. The applicant’s attorney, Janine G. Bauer of Szaferman, LaKind, Blumstein & Blader, was present to answer questions; Board members had none. It was adopted on motion of Vice Chair Walch, seconded by Mr. Cuttitta. Recorded vote: 8–0 (Aye: Andersen, Walch, Fox, Cuttitta, Sullivan, Albanese, Quade, Iselin).

Chinmaya Mission Tri-State Center, 1941 Holland Brook Road: carried

For Case No. 2025-008 AUV PFSP, Chinmaya Mission Tri-State Center, Block 70, Lot 24.02, 1941 Holland Brook Road, represented by Amanda C. Wolfe, Esq., Board Attorney Sobieski said the applicant had asked to be adjourned and the application will be carried to October 21, 2026. He said the applicant had given sufficient notice for the hearing.

15 Kenbury Road: a home addition, carried to October 6

The Board heard Case No. 2025-009A HV, Dr. Morsy Alsamadisi, Block 56, Lot 30, 15 Kenbury Road. Dr. Alsamadisi said he plans to connect the existing house to the existing garage with an addition of about 16 by 75 feet (1,200 square feet), making the garage part of the principal building, to create living space with a large kitchen and living room.

Mr. Sobieski listed the variances the application creates or involves, including:

• the garage’s side yard setback of 19.26 feet, where 25 feet is required;
• a greenhouse larger than 150 square feet with a side yard setback of 21–24 feet where 25 feet is required, standing 4 feet from the garage where 10 feet of separation from the principal building is required; the applicant agreed to remove or relocate the greenhouse heater away from the dwelling;
• three accessory buildings (garage, shed and greenhouse) on a lot of about 1.25 acres, where no more than two are allowed on a lot under 3 acres; the applicant said the shed will become a chicken coop and can be moved to the required 35-foot setback;
• recreational vehicle storage, which the applicant agreed to place behind the greenhouse, more than 25 feet from the side line and screened by 6–8-foot evergreens or a 6-foot fence, with a plan to follow;
• residential parking and commercial-vehicle rules; the applicant said the commercial vehicle he drives is stored at his place of business.

Board members and professionals discussed with the applicant that not attaching the garage would remove most of the variances. The Board’s engineer suggested a squared addition to the front or back of the house instead, which would give more usable space and bring the property into compliance. Dr. Alsamadisi said he does not have the budget for that and that connecting to the garage better suits his finances. He said the property is for his personal use, not a two-family home, kennel or other commercial use, and that if the application is approved he will record a deed with the Somerset County Clerk’s Office stating the conditions.

Four members of the public, sworn in, asked questions:

• Paul Wiehl, 53 N Branch River Road, asked about the property’s occupancy, whether roosters would be kept (the applicant said no) and about runoff (the applicant said runoff problems will be addressed).
• Patricia Krippendorf, 493 Kenbury Road, asked about a large paved area and whether a business would operate there, said the greenhouse fan runs loudly all night and its lighting is bright, and asked why the addition could not be built on the front of the house; the applicant said this is the best he can do within his budget.
• Ms. Corchick, 502 Kenbury Road, asked about use of the garage as living space and where chickens would be housed.
• John Thomas Krippendorf Jr., 493 Kenbury Road, asked whether the addition would add runoff onto his property, saying there is already too much runoff from the greenhouse. The Township Engineer suggested a seepage pit or dry well; the applicant agreed.

Chairman Andersen summarized that some variances had not been addressed and asked whether the applicant would submit revised plans addressing drainage and agree not to use the greenhouse lights and fan from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.; the applicant agreed. Mr. Sobieski summarized three bulk setback variances and multiple conditions that would apply if the Board approved the application. The case was carried to October 6, 2026, to give the applicant time to review his plans with his architect or engineer and submit new plans if variances remain, or withdraw the case if none do.

Other business

The minutes of the April 15 regular meeting were approved on motion of Mr. Cuttitta, seconded by Mr. Quade, 6–0 (Vice Chair Walch and Mr. Albanese not eligible). Eleven claims totaling $4,437.00 were approved on motion of Vice Chair Walch, seconded by Mr. Albanese, 8–0. There was no other business and no communications. The meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.

See land-use applications.

Records

• Minutes and agenda: Agendas/Minutes page of the Township’s website, which links its Documents-On-Demand portal (Board of Adjustment folder)
• Meeting video on the Township’s Granicus archive