Rules eased on sheds, gazebos

MARLBORO - The Township Council has adopted what its members called a resident friendly ordinance on Oct. 4.

The change amends the township code as it relates to accessory buildings and structures.

Prior to the adoption of the ordinance, the accessory buildings and structures code required corner lots and lots that front on more than one street to have accessory structures set back twice the required frontyard setback mandated for the principal structure.

Accessory structures include sheds, pools and gazebos. In order to place those structures within the prohibited area a resident would have to obtain a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The process of obtaining a variance would take time and result in an expense for the resident, with no guarantee that a variance would be granted.

Under the terms of the change in the municipal code, "accessory structures in second front yards shall be set back the same distance from the street line as the principal structure is required to be set back."

As long as accessory structures meet the requirements of the amended ordinance, a homeowner will not have to seek a variance to construct that structure.

In a previous discussion of the amendment, Township Attorney Andrew Bayer said the recommendation had come from the zoning board and that the board's planner recommended it.

The Planning Board reviewed the change and found it consistent with Marlboro's master plan, according to a report signed by Planning Board Chairman Peter Bellone.