Remember back in March, when we told you the Strahan garage controversy was finally over? Well, apparently, it’s not.
In a dispute that’s run for eight years, the Montclair Board of Adjustment ruled in March in favor of David & Carrie Greenbaum of 91 Lloyd Rd, and against the building of a colossal garage by neighbors Michael and Jean Strahan.
The Greenbaums had argued that Montclair township was wrong to issue building permits for a taller garage with fewer architectural detail than originally approved by the board of adjustment.
But David Greenbaum tells us the town has now backtracked on that decision, and that the Strahans now have their OK for the structure.
Montclair Township’s “Bob McLaughlin has issued 2 new building permits for Jean Strahan to complete her garage Mahal after our successful contest of all the previous building permits, all of which were determined by the Board of Adjustment to be improvidently granted,” David Greenbaum said.
“Our OPRA requests remain unfilled. McLaughlin has not responded to our calls or emails for now 2 weeks.”
The couple have written to Mayor Jerry Fried, inquiring how the building permits, so recently deemed “improvidently granted,” managed to be, nevertheless, granted.
“We are awaiting a clear understanding of the town’s position on the following: How can new building permits be issued under these circumstances? How will the town address the irrefutable violation of Town Ordinance 347-27.1?” the Greenbaums ask Fried in their letter, dated June 25.
The Strahans have built a 20-car garage on their property, which differs from their originally granted permit for an 8-car garage, said Greenbaum.
“The issue right now is that there is this attempt to defraud the town – the board of adjustments didn’t approve what’s there right now, but the town continues to play dumb even though the structure isn’t legal,” he said.
A key bugbear for the Greenbaums is a massive retaining wall, “in excess of 16 feet high” on the Strahans’ property, which contravenes a township ordinance which allows retaining walls of only up to 4 1/2 feet high.
Is anyone else out there having a property-related tussle with high-powered neighbors and Montclair’s building department? How do you reckon this Strahan garage controversy will end? Tell us in the comments.
its about “who you know” not about rules and regulations…….
this is NJ people!
I have heard dozens of horror stories about McLaughlin. The guy sounds more a like an egomaniac than a building inspector. I even talked to one contractor who refuses to do work in the town because he’s heard of this inspectors reputation.
Strahan Garage Controversy NOT Over
Since that March story I have been in a funk. I’ve been in and out of therapy. I’ve tried antidepressants, electro-shock treatment and herbal supplements. I’ve had foot massages, acupuncture and enemas. Nothing–nothing!–has been able to fill the void in my life that opened up as soon as I heard that Greenbaum no longer had anything to complain about.
But now… I’m alive! I’m young again!
“Aaaaaah, sweet mystery of life at last I fooooooound youuuuuu…”
Why would the EX Mrs. Strahan want that garage and fence now? Does Mr. S. store his cars there as a provision of the divorce? And I thought that house was for sale. The town ought to be ashamed for bending the rules in favor of “name” persons with outsize tastes.
The “town” has no shame.
Very fishy. How can they issue a building permit after the Board of Adjustment turned down the Strahans. hummmmmmmmm
My guess is the Strahans went back to the town and said the garage was for bicycles and got the thumbs up.
The rest of us have to settle for another digit.
What does the little kid in the photo have to do with this?
I heard that Jean moved out. Maybe Mr. Strahan moved back in?
I don’t think that the neighbors care what is put into this garage, but rather the size of it.