Anew office building may soon be coming to Route 9 south in Freehold Township. The Planning Board has directed its attorney to draw up a positive resolution that will be voted on at a future meeting.
The resolution will pave the way for an office building to be constructed where the Sunrise 9 Motel once stood. The motel was demolished in 2001 after a fire damaged the building.
The property on Route 9 south is across the highway from a Work Out World training center in the Freehold Mall shopping center.
The application for the office building was heard at a recent meeting.
Attorney Martin Pfleger, representing the applicant, 9 New Yankees LLC, presented an application seeking preliminary and final major site plan approval with existing variance conditions to construct a two-story, 10,000-square-foot office building with related site work to include storm water management, parking for 42 vehicles, a loading zone, landscaping, lighting and signs.
According to a report prepared by Senior Township Planner Guy F. Leighton, four variances were required because the lot is undersized.
The variances are as follows: the application provides 1.5 acres, where 3 acres are required; the plan provides for a 200-foot lot frontage, where 300 feet are required; the plan provides 201 feet for lot width, where 300 feet are required; and the plan provides 327 feet of lot depth, where 400 feet is required.
According to a report prepared by Township Engineer Joseph Mavuro, waivers were required as follows: the plan indicates slopes of 3:1, where the ordinance permits slopes of 4:1 maximum; the applicant is not proposing sidewalks along the frontage of the site; therefore, a waiver was required from the board.
The property is in a CMX-3 (commercial, mixed use) zone.
Improved updated lighting and what was described as “intense” landscaping are part of the plan, according to Pfleger.
He said the lighting would comply with the wishes of the Freehold Township Historic Preservation Commission, which advised in a letter to the Planning Board that the “overall design is consistent with traditional architectural styles found in Freehold Township”
The commission’s letter adds, “We agree with Ned Gaunt (the architect representing the township) that the design of the site lighting does not complement the building and another style of fixture should be specified.”
Gaunt’s report stated that the building design is “quite attractive and is consistent with the objectives of the town’s design ordinances.”
It adds, “Traditional materials and details are incorporated throughout the building’s exterior, resulting in a strong architectural character.”
Gaunt’s letter added that the choice of colors “enhance the design solution.”
Pfleger said the building is “in keeping with the surrounding neighborhood and would present no detriment to the area.”
Members of the board suggested that a freestanding sign be lowered at least 5 to 10 feet from its planned height of 25 feet.
“Be creative,” board Chairman Robert McGirr advised.
Board members complimented the office building’s design and said they were looking forward to seeing it built, but they asked that the applicant “get the signs under control.”

