973-635-0674
54 Fairmount Avenue
Chatham, NJ 07928
The Zoning Board of Adjustment’s powers are very specific and different from that of the Planning Board. The Zoning Board of Adjustment is often called a “quasi-judicial” body and its principal duties are to hear and decide on requests for interpretations of the Borough’s zoning and land development ordinances. However, like the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment functions under the authority of the Municipal Land Use Law of New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 40:55 D and the Borough's Land Development Regulations (Chapter 165 of the Code of the Borough of Chatham).
For Planning Board & Zoning Board Applications please contact Vanessa Nienhouse:
boroughclerk@chathamborough.org.
The Chatham Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall.
Variance requests that are considered by the Zoning Board of Adjustment include:
A & B Variances - An "A" variance application is filed when an applicant believes that the Borough's Zoning Officer has erred in denying a request for a permit based on the Borough’s land development ordinances. The Zoning Board is also responsible for interpretations of the zoning ordinance and the zoning map on questions related to whether or not a specific use is permitted. This type of variance is called a "B" variance.
C Variance - The most common type of variance heard by the Zoning Board of Adjustment is a variance from the bulk and dimensional requirements of the ordinance, referred to as a "C" variance or "bulk" variance. This is a commonly requested variance in town, generally associated with construction of single-family dwellings, accessory structures and additions. When building or expanding, a "C" variance may be needed because existing constraints of the property, size, area, shape or topographic conditions which may prevent compliance with the zoning regulations for that property.
D Variance - Where an applicant is seeking a use that is not permitted by the zoning ordinance, the applicant is required to obtain a “D” variance or “use” variance. There are six different kinds of "D" variances. An applicant seeking a “D” variance, must show the property is particularly suitable for the proposed use and that the variance can be granted without causing substantial detriment to the public good and won’t substantially impair the intent and purpose of the municipal zoning ordinance and municipal Master Plan.
Michael A. Cifelli - CHAIR
Regular Member 01/01/2023 -12/31/2026
Curt Dawson
Regular Member, Planning Board Member 01/01/2022 -12/31/2025
David Degidio
Regular Member 01/01/2022 - 12/31/2025
Joseph Treloar
Regular Member 01/01/2023 - 12/31/2026
Peter Hoffman
Regular Member 01/01/2024 - 12/31/2027
Jean-Eudes Haeringer
Regular Member, Recording Secretary 01/01/2023 - 12/31/2026
Christopher Tarnock
Regular Alternate 01/01/2024 -12/31/2027
Joseph Barrette
1st Alternate 01/01/2024 - 12/31/2026
VACANCY
2nd Alternate
Patrick Dwyer, Attorney
Robert Brightly, PE, PP, CME Board Engineer
Liz Holler, Minutes Secretary
Vanessa Nienhouse, Administrative Secretary
Zoning Board Agendas, Minutes, and Applications after September 1, 2023 can be found by clicking the Granicus logo. Prior agendas & minutes can be found here.