Nearly 200 Homes Proposed For Route 34 Tract
Builder wants 199 homes at Route 34 and Allaire Road, scheduled to pitch zoning board
A local developer is scheduled to pitch to the Wall Board of Adjustment a nearly 200-unit townhouse development targeting a tract on Route 34.
A division of Red Bank-based K. Hovnanian Homes wants to build 199 townhouses on a 37-acre vacant plot at the state highway and Allaire Road. Twenty percent, or about 40 homes, would be reserved as affordable housing units, according to the proposal.
The property is not zoned for residential development, so K. Hov Shore Acquisitions – the company set up to make the pitch – is asking the Board of Adjustment for a variance in order to build the homes in what is now zoned for commercial purposes.
That could prove sticky. In order to grant the variance, K. Hov has to prove that their development is “particularly suitable’’ for the location and promotes the general welfare of the community. It also must prove that the proposal does not cause a “substantial detriment,’’ to the community, according to the first planning review of the site, prepared by Cheryl Bergailo of Taylor Design Group.
Bergailo’s report is not favorable. The report says that the request for the variance is so large that it would be, in effect, a re-zoning of the site. It recommends that the board consult its attorney for advice on whether it would be exceeding its authority in granting it.
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The Zoning Board of Adjustment is scheduled to hear the K. Hov proposal at its regular meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at town hall, 2700 Alliare Road.
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“The Board should seek counsel from the Board Attorney regarding whether it has the authority to grant a variance so expansive in nature and impact that it infringes upon the governing body's exclusive power to zone,” it says.
It says the targeted plot has historically been designated for office or research use, dating back to 1999. It says the proposal is inconsistent with the township’s state-mandated Affordble Housing plan, which calls for development in other areas of town where exclusively affordable units would be built, not inclusionary developments such as the one proposed.
Lincoln
2:06 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
What does this possibly do for the town? Wall need more traffic and building on open space like they need another dumpy motel on 35. Who is making money from this? If Hovnanian want to build anouth thing in town how about a $5million donation to the school system or town recreation to help the tax burden?
Mickey Brewster
6:02 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Im sure it'll be approved and they'll send the kids to Central school. Just like last time.
Kevin
8:38 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
200 homes on that section will crush the traffic on that circle. It should not even be considered unless they are paying to remove that traffic circle
Ralph
9:23 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Crush traffic, add to the school crowding ect., not sure it is worth the tax revenue the town will get from the project.
Allenwoodie
6:44 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
No way!! We have to fight this! If this sounds like a bad idea to you, and it should, show up at the planning board meetings and fight this!!!!
Ralph
8:39 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The WaWa sounds better than this and that was a bad idea. What about open space? Want to raise my taxes for something good? Raise them to preserve land. K Hov. Can find other tracts of land and ruin some other town. Next we will be talking about eliminating the circle and why don't we throw in a bridge also to help the traffic flow. Has anyone travelled 34 lately?
type writer
9:57 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Don't turn Wall into Brick Township. Don't do it.
Tom Coyle
12:43 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
200 new homes in Wall? Good thing we didn't close one of the four, already crowded, elementary schools.
Mark Richert
5:36 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Hey Patch, learn to write please. A copse (small forested area) isn't "vacant." A trash strewn lot, a torn down building are "vacant." I guess the Patch would want Yellowstone, or Allaire park, built upon as both of those parks are "vacant" and clearly need a better use.
Joseph Fekete
6:49 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Bad idea. To much traffic already. I hope this plan fails
Nicholas Sullivan
5:35 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Those 200 homes would only be a problem on the school system if everyone of them actually had kids at the same time. Apple Ridge used to have two busses for Old Mill. It is now down to one and even that is not full of just Apple Ridge anymore. The town would actually benefit from having expensive houses being built and for sale. If people want a Whole Foods, the town needs more people all year round. Everyone here is complaining about the town but then, whenever the school budget comes up for vote, they vote no. They complain about taxes but they want more from the town without paying for it.
Dixie
1:13 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
We have plenty of empty houses now that no one is buying. We are not complaining about the town,we are complaining about what the "Newbies" are doing to it. Go back where you came from. Oh,you can't,you've already ruined it.....
JMS
11:29 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
NO MORE BUILDING IN WALL - PERIOD
Dixie
1:09 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Has anyone traveled that area of Wall on a Sunday afternoon in the summer? It is the direct route to the Parkway North!!! Are they out of their minds? The "tourists" can't maneuver the Allenwood Circle now for God's sake! Or,they could just destroy the "vacant lot",put in curbing and plastic pipes sticking out of the ground and then let it sit dormant for a few years. We've seen so many developements end up like that,very attractive. And if Mr.Sullivan is so desperate for a Whole Foods,perhaps he could move to a place that already has one! He could go to a local farm stand while we still have them in Wall. I grew up here and I used to love it. I want to live in Old Wall Township.