By Audrey Levine
Variances’ terms extended
The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance last week to extend the length of time zoning variances can last from one to five years.
The ordinance allows builders, for both residential and commercial properties, to apply for zoning variances that will last five years, thus providing more time if there are problems getting money or other materials to build. In the past, once the variance expired after a year, builders were forced to go before the township committee for a second time to make another request.
The use variance is required for those who wish to build something that doesn’t necessarily conform to zoning or planning ordinances.
Donated land ‘regifted’ to state
The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance at its Aug. 14 meeting to turn over the ownership of less than one acre of land along Amwell Road to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
In a deed recorded by the Somerset County Clerk’s office in 1994, the piece of property was inadvertently given to Hillsborough Township, rather than the state. The surrounding land had already been turned over to the DOT to be used for the construction of the Route 206 bypass.
The small piece of land, which was deemed not needed by the township, will now be used as part of the bypass.
Easements OK’d for sewer project
The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance Aug. 14 to authorize the conveyance of temporary construction easements and a sanitary sewer easement at New Amwell Road, Royce Brook Road, Shady Brook Court and Garretson Lane.
The easements will allow for the installation of a sewer parallel to the Royce Brook Interceptor Sewer.
The easements and connection to the existing sewer system is required by the Township of Hillsborough Municipal Utilities Authority.

