The owners of 56 Princeton Avenue received unanimous approval from the Wyckoff Zoning Board of Adjustment at its April meeting to add a second story to their ranch home and reconfigure the first floor to accommodate aging parents — with three neighbors appearing at the hearing to offer their support.

Attorney Bruce Whitaker argued that the property's conditions constitute a legal hardship: the 11,000-square-foot corner lot is just 73% of the 15,000 square feet required in the R-15 zone, and the corner configuration imposes two front yard setbacks along both Princeton Avenue and Vassar Street, each requiring 40 feet against existing setbacks of roughly 24 and 32 feet. "Many of these nonconformities are not being exacerbated by the proposal," Whitaker told the board. Building coverage would rise from a pre-existing 19.3% to 22.1%, and combined coverage to 22.3%, both above the respective 15% and 20% permitted maximums. [1]

Engineer Tyler Vandervalk, of Montville, noted that total impervious coverage — the broader measure of all paved and covered surface — would reach 38.8%, which remains well below the zone's 42.9% permitted limit. He described the front setback encroachment as attributable primarily to a new covered front porch designed to be level with the first floor for accessibility. [2]

Architect William Byrne, of Chester, described the design intent: the existing one-story ranch gains a second floor with two bedrooms and a primary suite, while the first floor is reconfigured to provide a ground-level bedroom and sitting area for the homeowners' parents. The porch steps down toward Vassar Street to reduce visual impact at the corner, and dormers and a cupola are incorporated to break up the massing and maintain a traditional aesthetic. The home's external envelope will be fully renovated with new siding, windows, and architectural shingle roofing. [2]

Three neighbors appeared in support. Gina Ho of 53 Princeton Avenue said she had no objections and found the design "beautiful," asking only for clarification on a broad clause in the legal notice. Board attorney Tom Garlick explained the language is standard and that the board's authority is limited to the variances specifically presented. Daniel Lleonart of 45 Princeton Avenue said the proposal would be "consistent with the existing character" of a neighborhood shifting toward two-story homes. Thomas Mack of 422 Radcliff Street said it "fits well within the neighborhood" and would produce no negative impacts. No one spoke in opposition. [3]

The board voted 6-0 to approve the application.