Waldwick board approves deck and kitchen addition at 51 Longview Drive despite existing setback violation

The Waldwick Board of Adjustment on Thursday approved a variance allowing an addition and rear deck at 51 Longview Drive, despite the property’s existing rear-setback nonconformity.

The applicant described the project as a ground-floor expansion of the kitchen and dining room with a proposed 21-foot-6-inch deck totaling about 340 square feet. The board’s moderator said the application changes only lot coverage and the rear setback, which was “already violated.”

Board members asked technical questions about the deck and confirmed the lot is undersized. No members of the public raised objections during the hearing. After a short exchange on the details, a board member moved to approve the application and a second was recorded; the roll-call votes in favor recorded eight “yes” votes and no recorded “no” votes.

The moderator cautioned the applicant that the formal resolution will be published at the next meeting and that the public has a short window after publication to seek an appeal. “You are approved. You are free to apply for your building permits,” the moderator said.

The approval permits the owner to apply for building permits but does not remove the publication-and-appeal step that follows resolution adoption.

Next steps: the resolution will be drafted and placed on the agenda next month for formal adoption and publication; the applicant may then proceed with permit applications but should expect the short appeal period that follows publication.