Zoning board approves new sign for Somerville Automotive Realty with conditions

The Somerville Borough Zoning Board on May 7 approved a permit for a new business sign at 1044 Route 22 for Somerville Automotive Realty LLC, subject to the board planner’s standard conditions and the conditions noted in the board engineer’s report.

At the hearing, the applicant’s representative (S7) presented a May 4, 2026 letter and told the board, “we agree to abide by all of the conditions that were noted in the letter as far as how the sign is gonna be manufactured.” The representative said the proposed sign’s luminance has been reduced and that the signage is dimmable “so if there is an issue, we can address it.”

The board also reviewed two operational issues flagged in reviews: a sea container on the rear of the property that had been installed without approval and fire-lane striping that the fire official asked to be repainted. The applicant committed to remove the container within about a month and to comply with all fire-code requirements, and the board made those commitments conditions of approval.

The representative noted a possible encroachment into the state Department of Transportation right of way in front of the site and said the applicant will pursue a highway-occupancy permit from the DOT; the representative said the applicant will revise the layout if the DOT declines to permit the encroachment. The board recorded that securing any needed state approvals is the applicant’s responsibility.

A motion to approve the application was moved and seconded; the board approved the sign on roll call. The approval was recorded as subject to the planner and engineer’s standard conditions and the items noted above. The board indicated a formal resolution memorializing the approval will be prepared next month.

The case was heard as application 2025022z for Somerville Automotive Realty LLC (1044 Route 22, Block 92, Lot 26.01).