BRICK – An apartment complex for seniors on a busy road has been proposed by a developer, but residents are concerned about traffic and safety.
The case was heard at the Brick Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, which also had a case that night about a special setback for a fence on Jeanette Drive.
The Zoning Board is the governing body that oversees the way property is used, and the developers of the proposed apartments want a use and bulk variance. Variances are requested if a developer wants to do something with the land that’s currently not allowed.
The site of this proposed complex is located on Block 869, lots 26, 6, 6.01, and 5. In other words, the site will be at 1855 Route 88, which is across the street from Bruce Lane, and down the road from Walmart and Wawa. As of right now, there is an abandoned gas station on that plot of land.
The zone where the proposed complex would be located is listed as B-2, meaning that it is for general business, not residential, which is why they have to apply for a use variance to set up apartments. On top of that, the building proposal, which was put forth by a company named 1855-1867 RT 88 Associates LLC, is taller than the permitted height for the zone that it will be in, which is why they had to submit a height variance.
Several residents showed up to the meeting to speak out against allowing such a building to be put up at all, but the meeting ran out of time and the public portion will be held at a future meeting. The process of explaining the different situations the project is facing and taking the time so that the developer’s representatives can answer the board’s questions took up the majority of the meeting. Due to the fact that they ran out of time, nothing was voted on; however, the board did suggest that the company address some of their concerns before they meet again.
The Board had several concerns about the proposal overall, not just the specific reasons why they were requesting a variance. A lot of their major concerns had to do with traffic on Route 88. It was noted by several members of the board that the highway does not have enough room for a proper turn-in lane for people who would need to turn left into the complex. Not having this available would cause a back-up on 88 and could make an already accident-ridden area of the highway even more dangerous.
The second concern about the overall proposal regards queueing in front of the building. It was repeatedly asked by members of the board if there is a chance that the queue might spill out onto the road. The response from the company’s representatives was ‘no’ because of the extended entrance to the property.
Three other concerns with the property had to do with line-of-sight issues, emergency vehicle issues, and accommodations for the elderly who would rent these apartments. The main concern with the accommodations was that the five-foot-wide hallways would be too small for walkers and wheelchairs.
The issue involving emergency vehicles, such as a fire truck, is that if they were attempting to move or leave the property, they would have to back out of it before they could turn around, making their accessibility limited. Add on the fact that there could be cars in front of the building for pick-ups/drop-offs, which could make rescue more difficult.
The final concern that was voiced by the board was the issue of line of sight and privacy because the property is very close to a residential area on Robbins Court. It was recommended by the board that the company have a test done before their next meeting with the board.
The next meeting regarding this case will take place on June 3.
