MILLSTONE — A lot-line change will give a local resident more land to farm.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved the change at its July 8 meeting to two properties that will take 23 acres from one brother’s lot and add it to another brother’s lot.

George Vrabel still farms his property, known officially as Lot 7.01, off Sweetmans Lane. The lot, which has a house and a pair of barns on it, will increase from 13.6 acres to 37.3 acres, officials said.

Vrabel’s brother John owns Lot 7, which has three residential dwellings on it that were built in the 1960s. His lot will dwindle from nearly 31 acres to 7 acres. About one-tenth of an acre will go to the county for a right-of-way.

Both properties have been passed down through the Vrabel family.

Board Engineer Albert Yodakis said the development potential for the site was already limited because of a stream corridor.

Attorney Kenneth Pape, who represented the Vrabels, agreed. He said under current zoning that only two lots could be created, and that there were wetlands and a large Jersey Central Power and Light Company easement on the acreage as well. There was no plan for a development proposal to be brought before the board, according to Pape.

Pape also told the board that there would be no change or intensification of use or new construction if the approval were granted. The road frontages of both lots will remain the same.

There were, however, some variances required for Lot 7.

A dwelling on the lot is only 18 feet off the property line, where 30 feet is required. Also, the dedication to the county meant the front yard was now undersized. Pape said that 50 feet was required for the front yard, and that there was now only 25.3 feet provided with the county right-of-way.

But since Sweetmans Lane is considered a scenic roadway, officials said that it is not expected to be widened.

"The county has designated Sweetmans Lane as a scenic roadway, and has asked that development be handled with a dedication for road improvements, but no [actual] road improvements," Pape said.