HOWELL — An applicant’s proposal to construct a two-story office-warehouse building on Bennett Road has been denied by the Howell Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The application for a variance was filed by PRP Services, and testimony was presented to the board in November.
Board members subsequently had the opportunity to visit the proposed site.
During the board’s Jan. 12 meeting, a closing statement was made by attorney Todd Cohen, who represented the applicant.
“I believe the proposed project on behalf of my applicant does not do any detrimental harm to the surrounding community,” Cohen said.
In November, Cohen said PRP Services, which is a metal and glass partition, fabrication and installation company, was seeking a use variance to construct an officewarehouse building with associated improvements on Bennett Road.
The area is considered to be rural, according to board officials.
Zoning board members then had a chance to comment on the application.
“The goals of the Agricultural Rural Estate (ARE) zone include preservation of land and the preservation of its agricultural purpose. The application before this board is for a manufacturing facility, and they are strictly prohibited in this particular zone,” board member John Armata said.
Board member Nino Borrelli said certain parts of Howell need to be kept as they are.
“We need to preserve Howell’s rich character, and Bennett Road, which is mainly a dirt road, exemplifies that, and the proposed project is also too close to people’s houses,” Borrelli said.
Board Chairman Wendell Nanson said he agreed with the sentiments of his fellow board members.
“Bennett Road is not a road meant for such a business. It is a great concept, but this is not the right place for it,” Nanson said.
Board member Evelyn O’Donnell said the proposal serves the wrong purpose for an ARE zone.
“Bennett Road is a road that gives off that country sort of feel. As of now, [Howell’s] master plan has not accepted this area as a special economic development zone, which is what this application is more suited for, so I suggest that if and when [it does], the applicant can return,” O’Donnell said.
A motion to deny the PRP Services application was made, and Armata, Borrelli, O’Donnell, Nanson, Michael Sanclimenti and Daniel Cardellichio voted “yes.” Thomas Posch voted “no.” The motion to deny the applicant the variance was approved, 6-1.
The proposed office-warehouse building would have totaled 26,250 square feet, according to Cohen.
Engineer Michael Geller, who testified on behalf of the applicant in November, said there would be 30 employees in total, including 10 employees who would have remained on site and 20 employees in off-site locations.