Lakewood Township's Zoning Board tonight figured out how to say a firm "no" to an application which could have added 30 families and their cars onto Chestnut Street.

The applicant, SGS Development Project, submitted an application to construct 6 duplexes (total 12 units) and one triplex building (total 3 units) to the property located at the northeast corner of the Chestnut Street and Clinton Avenue intersection.

There are currently 2 houses on this 1.81 acre site.

The tract is located in the R-20 zone, which only permits single family homes on 20,000 sq feet lots, and no duplexes or triplexes. Therefore, a use variance was required. (The burden of proof required by state law to receive a use variance from the Zoning Board is stricter than a regular bulk variance from the Planning Board.) The application also seeked 7 other, lot size related, variances.

The Board expressed hesitation to the plan which could have added 16 driveways directly onto Chestnut Street.

After neighbors spoke vocally in opposition to the application, the entire Board - minus Board Chairman Abe Halberstam - voted to deny the application.

It seems that, thanks to the neighbors speaking up tonight, the Zoning Board "got the message" stronger because, as previously reported here on FAA News, the last time an application was presented for 6 houses on Chestnut Street, 3 members of the Board were in favor of the application.

In July, the Board is also scheduled to hear an application for a new cul-de-sac off Chestnut Street, across from Evergreen Avenue, with 28 duplex units.