Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW) is proud to announce that Roosevelt J. Donat, Special Counsel at MSW, secured unanimous preliminary and final site plan approval, including 14 C variances and two related waivers, for a new residential infill development at 53 and 55-57 North 5th Street in Newark’s Fairmount neighborhood.

The approval permits construction of a new three-family dwelling on Lot 31 and a new four-family dwelling on Lot 32, adding seven dwelling units—including studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes—to an underutilized, fenced-in property in the West Ward. The site is located in Newark’s R-3 Residential 1-4 Family/Townhouse Zone, where three- and four-family residential uses are permitted.

The approved relief addresses dimensional, site-design, landscaping, lighting, entrance-orientation, parking, and driveway standards for the two-lot development. Project features include ADA-accessible units on Lot 32, rear-yard parking with an ADA parking space, HVAC equipment, screened trash enclosures, and in-unit laundry closets.

Attorney Donat worked closely with a talented applicant-side project team, including STNG 1 as applicant/owner; Patrick M. Lesbirel, A.I.A of Brick City Reconstruction as architect; Dr. Bahman Izadmehr, Ph.D., P.E. of Development Engineering, LLC as civil engineer; Michael Pronesti of Pronesti Surveying, Inc. as surveyor; and John McDonough of John McDonough Associates. MSW also recognizes the dedicated support of Stephanie McLeish and Mia Lobozzo, whose contributions were essential to the project’s success.

MSW is proud to help advance thoughtful housing opportunities that return underutilized urban properties to productive neighborhood use and support continued investment in Newark’s residential communities.