Family will rebuild home destroyed by fire
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - A family that was displaced as a result of a fire last summer will now be able to get their house back.

On Aug. 17, a two-family dwelling on the corner of Cozzens Lane and the local connector road burned down due to an electrical fire that started in the basement. The house was co-owned by Donald Caruso and his daughter, Beth, with Beth living in one unit and the other rented to her cousin and her cousin's three children. Although there were no personal injuries, a dog died in the blaze, and the house was determined to be uninhabitable and therefore demolished.

Last Thursday, the North Brunswick Zoning Board of Adjustment approved use and bulk variances so that the Carusos can rebuild another two-family dwelling on their property.

Although the Carusos purchased the home in September 2004, the property lies in a commercial location. Their application asked that a house be constructed because a house already existed there, there is a residential character to the neighborhood, a buffer exists to shield noise and traffic and the driveway would wrap around to the back of the house, thus creating less traffic toward Cozzens Lane.

"There is no real way this lot can be qualified as a commercial lot because of the use and way to get there," said James Gaspari, a licensed architect and professional planner. "There is no access from here, and any kind of commercial use would disturb the residential use of what is already there."

Gaspari said that the house will have a porch on the front and vinyl siding and will be approximately 3,400 square feet, similar to the other houses on the street.

"You see what you get, nothing complicated. In my opinion, it fits in best with the houses in the neighborhood," he said.

He also testified that there would be no detrimental effects to the surrounding community, which includes a two-family house, an adjoining house with a porch in the front and a Verizon Wireless store.

"I think it's the right thing to do in this neighborhood. There is no detriment whatsoever. The positive side, the positive criteria, is the fact that this will eliminate an empty lot that will collect debris and need maintenance and it will give a residential use to people who use it, namely my client, and become a ratable," Gaspari said.

The only issues needed to be addressed were public improvements along Cozzens Lane and shade trees along the edge of the property. Carl Branchiforte, the Caruso's attorney, said that curbing could be installed in the front of the house and that one or two trees would most likely be acceptable to his client.

"I think this area is probably not critical because in the area, honestly people shouldn't be walking," board Chairman David Sirna said in regard to possibly adding sidewalks along the road. "There shouldn't be a connection because it's not leading anywhere."

After the unanimous vote, Beth Caruso seemed relieved. She said her intentions are "to move back in once it's done."