The State Planning Commission has just approved one construction project in the Lakewood industrial park, and denied a second industrial park construction project, FAA News has learned.
The denied project is owned by the Sudler Company.
On December 7, 2017, Lakewood Township received State Plan Endorsement from the New Jersey State Planning Commission.
Back in February 2023, Township officials submitted proposed amendments to the State Plan Policy Map to the State Planning Commission. This process does not change the uses permitted to be constructed. Rather, an approval of the proposed amendment would allow for an increase in permitted impervious cover and a reduction in vegetative cover requirements. (I.e. more building on the lots).
The first project site is 5.48 acres located 350 feet from the southeastern corner of Airport Road and Cedar Bridge Avenue. The sole roadway frontage is located along Cedar Bridge Avenue.
The area of the proposed amendment is located within the ABC (Airport Business Commercial) Zone District, which permits for the development of a variety of commercial uses within the vicinity of the Lakewood Municipal Airport, such as: corporate headquarters; office parks and buildings; professional and medical offices; laboratories and research facilities; publishing; printing and reproduction; computer service centers; airports; hotels; conference centers; manufacture, assembly, compounding, processing, and packaging of various products; showrooms; warehouse outlets; retail outlets and stores; bottling plants; enameling and electroplating; restaurants; communication companies; and similar or related uses on lots with a minimum area of three acres.
The proposed amendment would not change the uses permitted. Rather, an approval of the proposed amendment would allow for an increase in permitted impervious cover and a reduction in vegetative cover requirements. (I.e. more building on the lots).
T&M Associates, the Township's Planners for the 2017 Master Plan as well as this Plan Amendment, wrote "the proposed State Plan Policy Map amendment would facilitate development on an undeveloped site located within an established industrial park in the ABC (Airport Business Commercial) Zone District of Lakewood Township. Development of this site would increase Lakewood’s competitiveness and promote job creation."
Public records indicate that 20 Airport Road LLC purchased these lots, together with a third lot, from Cedarbridge Mall LLC, on December 16, 2021, for $4,150,000.00.
The State Planning Commission voted on July 5, 2023 to accept this Master Plan amendment.
The second project site is 35.12 acres located at the southwestern corner of Healthcare Way and Towbin Avenue. In addition to fronting on Healthcare Way and Towbin Avenue, the site also fronts on Route 70.
The site is located within the M-1 (Industrial) Zone District which permits the development of uses of an industrial nature, such as: bulk storage; manufacturing or assembly facilities; warehouses; public utility uses; airports; office buildings; hotels and motels; health and human services; restaurants; laboratories; uses affiliated with the operations of the United States Postal Service; and similar uses. Quasi-public and private educational facilities are also permitted.
A portion of the site is also located within the PDNC (Planned Development Non-Contiguous Cluster) Overlay Zone District which only provides the option to use non-contiguous clustering when: 1) tree-save requirements apply; and 2) the specific development project qualifies as planned development, a subdivision, or a site plan.
The proposed amendment would not change the uses permitted. Rather, an approval of the proposed amendment would allow for an increase in permitted impervious cover and a reduction in vegetative cover requirements. (I.e. more building on the lots).
The property contains contain areas within the Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area, however, these areas were not proposed to be included in the Plan Amendment.
T&M Associates wrote that by not including areas within the Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area in the proposed amendment, the State would continue to protect sensitive environmental areas associated with the corridor of Kettle Creek.
At the same time, by granting the proposed State Plan Policy Map amendment, the State Planning Commission would act to facilitate development on an underutilized site within an Urban Enterprise Zone.
Thus, by granting the proposed amendment, the State Planning Commission would be promoting the Urban Enterprise Program and its objective of fostering “an economic climate that revitalizes designated urban communities and stimulates their growth by encouraging businesses to develop and create private sector jobs through public and private investment."
Public records indicate that the Sudler company owns these lots.
Despite excluding the Environmentally Sensitive Planning Area from the Plan Amendment, the State Planning Commission denied this plan amendment because of the environmental constraints that cut through the site.
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