The Bayonne Zoning Board of Adjustment on Aug. 30 approved variance relief for a two‑family homeowner at 714 A–716 Avenue E to build a two‑car garage opening onto Avenue E.

The approval allows the owner to remove two existing sheds, construct a front‑facing garage and make modest changes to lot coverage after the applicant’s engineer and architect testified that the project would slightly increase permeable surface on the lot. Board members voted unanimously to approve the application.

Applicant Francis Czernjewski, identified in the application as the property owner, told the board he planned the garage to “improve the property” and remove two sheds, adding that the house has been in the family for three generations. Czernjewski said he and his father occupy the second‑ and first‑floor apartments, respectively, and that each apartment has three bedrooms.

Architect Donald Chin testified as an expert that the proposed garage would in fact increase the site’s permeable surface by about 72 square feet because the two existing rear sheds would be removed and new landscaping added. Chin also said the existing curb cut measures about 22 feet and that its current configuration aids the owner’s ability to back into the driveway without blocking traffic.

Board professionals and commissioners discussed fence and lighting compliance. The board’s planning reviewer asked the applicant to update the report to reflect the lot‑coverage calculation and reminded the applicant that replacing an existing chain‑link fence may trigger a design exception or require return to the board if the new fence does not meet ordinance standards. The applicant agreed to replace the fence in compliance with city requirements and to install low‑maintenance evergreen shrubs.

During public comment, a neighbor asked about construction duration and noise; the applicant’s attorney deferred construction‑timing details to later contractor plans, and the applicant said he would comply with city construction ordinances regarding permitted work hours. No city permits or building permits were discussed in detail during the hearing.

After a brief closed caucus during which several commissioners characterized the proposal as an improvement to a longstanding nonconforming property, a motion to approve was called and passed. On the roll call, Chairperson DeLillo, Vice Chair Pinera, Commissioner DeRoz, Commissioner Siske Galvin, Commissioner Frayn and Commissioner Garvey voted aye. The board recorded no nays or abstentions.

Conditions attached to approval include: updating the planner/engineer report to reflect the lot‑coverage calculation; replacing the chain‑link fence with a fence that complies with the ordinance or returning to the board for a design exception if it does not; and installing the agreed landscaping and lighting consistent with board professional recommendations. The board did not set a construction schedule; those details remain subject to permitting and contractor scheduling.

The approval resolves a request for relief from the city zoning regulations applicable to a corner lot in the Transit Development District and allows the homeowner to proceed with design and building permit applications consistent with the conditions the board imposed.