SCOTCH PLAINS — After an extended discussion, the zoning board of adjustment last week gave its approval for a homeowner to install an in-ground swimming pool in his back yard.

John Cicero said the rectangularshaped, 12-foot by 24-foot pool would be situated six feet from the side-yard property line, necessitating a variance because the minimum setback is eight feet. David Benedetto, a neighbor who lives behind the Cicero property, asked whether the new pool would be too close to the rear property line, but was reminded by Board Chairman Craig Peskin that the hearing was for a sideyard variance, not a rear-yard variance. Mr. Benedetto also raised a concern about potential drainage issues, specifically from the Cicero back yard on to his own property. Board Attorney Vince Loughlin said that, under state law, no construction is permitted that would result in increased water runoff.

When the board appeared set to wrap up the brief hearing and vote, several board members raised a variety of questions, including the positioning of a planned fence around the back yard and additional drainage matters. An extended discussion prior to the board’s vote to approve the application centered around the actual dimensions of the pool and whether the six-foot setback would be smaller when a deck around the perimeter of the pool was included in the calculations.

Mr. Cicero said there was no plan for a wide pool deck, but the renderings submitted to the board were unclear on how wide any type of ground-level border around the pool would be. Board Vice-Chairman Dan Sullivan said that if the pool deck was wider than the several inches claimed by Mr. Cicero, the entire pool would have to be shifted away from theside-yardpropertylinetocomplywith that variance. Mr. Peskin finally said that if there are any problems with the positioning of the pool and potential deck, it would be worked out with the building department when permits are issued.

A hearing on an application to construct a cell-phone tower on Jerusalem Road was postponed until the board’s Thursday, December 7 meeting. CX Towers Leasing LLC is looking to construct a 160-foot-high cell tower on the property owned by New JerseyAmerican Water Co., which wants existing cell antennas removed from its water tank and has made space available nearby for a separate monopole to be built. The plan is for the new pole to be located within a 35-foot by 35-foot compound surrounded by a 10-foothigh, barbed-wire fence. The initial hearing in October was abruptly halted due to discrepancies in some of the plans that were submitted, and CXTowers’ attorney requested a postponement of the hearing until next month.