To much applause from a crowded meeting room, the Lakewood Township Zoning Board of Adjustment last Monday night overwhelmingly denied an application that could have added 250 cars to existing Cross Street traffic.
Application ZB No. 4391, submitted by 560 Cross Street LLC sought approval to construct 66 duplex housing units (plus 66 basement apartments), a shul, a mixed use retail/office building and 3 stormwater management lots on the existing 14.15-acre parcel of land located on Augusta Boulevard and Cross Street.
The property is currently partly vacant and partly occupied, surrounded by residential buildings and wooded areas.
The parcel is in the M-1 Industrial Zone which does not allow duplex dwellings as a permitted use. Therefore, the application required use variance relief in addition to Preliminary and Final Major Subdivision with bulk variances.
The project’s property line abuts existing adjoining single-family properties in the Fairways senior development. Thus, buffer area of at least 30 feet in width, as measured from the property line toward the proposed use, is required. The application sought a design waiver from providing this required buffer.
Numerous area residents voiced opposition to the application citing traffic congestion concerns. Neighbors also specifically opposed the requested buffer waiver.
Ultimately, the Board overwhelmingly denied the application. Avraham Naftali was the sole vote in favor.
The Board also heard testimony on Application ZB No. 4387 for bifurcated use variance to construct single family and duplex residential units with a maximum residential density of 7.25 residential untis per acre in the R-20/12C cone where duplex dwellings are not allowed. As shown in the map below the project site is off Cross Street closer to Massachusetts Avenue, where over 70 units are under construction and another 100 units have already been approved.
The application got contentious, with Mr. Naftali offering a motion to deny. After no second to the motion was offered the Board agreed to hear additional testimony on the proposal at a future date.
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