Matawan Pizza Parlor Seeks Addition

MATAWAN, NJ - Esposito's Pizza and Pasta, Route 34 will come before the Matawan Unified Planning/Board of Adjustment Jan. 8 to convene a public hearing to consider a request by applicant Tight Right LLC for preliminary and final major site plan approval with bulk "c" variances to permit the construction of two additions consisting of a total of 453 square feet to the pizza place.

The building currently is some 1,403 square feet and the application seeks to restripe the parking lot to relocate a handicap parking space and make related improvements on property located at 930 Route 34.

The hearing begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building at 201 Broad Street.

The property is located in the township's Highway Improvement District Zone and the pizza parlor will seek a variance from the borough's Land Use and Zoning Ordinance for minimum lot area of 20,000 square feet, whereas the lot consists of 8,144 square feet which is a pre-existing non-conformity.

The applicant also seeks a variance for a minimum lot width of 100 feet, whereas the lot width is 45.5 feet and for minimum front-yard set-back of 35 feet for a principal building, whereas the front-yard set-back is 14.39 feet and minimum rear-yard set-back of 30 feet for a principal building, whereas the rear-yard set-back is 0.98 feet.

Also, the applicant seeks relief for minimum rear-yard setback of eight feet for an accessory building, whereas the rear-yard set-back is 0.47 feet and off-street parking which requires at least two handicap parking spaces, whereas one space is currently existing, and one space is proposed.

As for the other parking requirements, the ordinance requires one parking space for each 2.5 seats, and the restaurant will contain 54 seats, requiring 22 parking stalls, whereas 15 parking stalls currently exist and 14 parking stalls are proposed, among other variance requests. All the requests are the result of limitations made by pre-existing non-conformities, according to the application.

A copy of the application and supporting documentation is on file in the board Board secretary's office in the Municipal Building and is available for public inspection during regular business days and hours.

Esposito's Pizza and Pasta wants to expand. Photograph by Cesare Abbate/Associated Press