MANALAPAN — Two developers have presented plans for ambitious mixed-use projects on Route 33 in Manalapan.
During a town hall meeting on April 8, representatives of Cardinale Enterprises and Stavola Enterprises presented their ideas for developments at Route 33 and Millhurst Road, and Route 33 and Woodward Road, respectively.
Vito Cardinale of Cardinale Enterprises introduced his concept for Manalapan Crossing — a residential-commercial development that he wants to develop at the corner of Route 33 and Millhurst Road.
Under previous owners, a proposed development at the site was to have been known as The Village at Manalapan.
Cardinale, of Millstone Township, said it is likely that the type of development he is proposing in Manalapan will be built in western Monmouth County or in neighboring Middlesex County.
In broad terms, the plan calls for multiple buildings with retail uses — restaurants and stores — on ground level and several floors of apartments above them. The concept includes 900 one- and two-bedroom rental apartments.
Some buildings at the site would only contain apartments, he said.
Speaking about the young adults who might one day live in Manalapan Crossing, Cardinale said, “Kids want to live in a building and walk downstairs and find what they want. They are not buying houses like we did. I would like to build this in Manalapan. This is a great thing for this town.”
Other aspects of the plan include a grocery store/supermarket, a hotel and banquet hall, a bank, a design center and executive offices, an arts and exhibition center, a health and wellness center, and a neurological research center with housing.
Architect David Minno described the idea behind Manalapan Crossing and said the residential component would likely attract young married couples, millennials, and older adults who have sold a home and have no children living with them.
The developer’s projections account for some children who would live in the apartments.
Traffic engineer John Rea said the improvements that would be made on Route 33 and Millhurst Road to accommodate the project would include a new intersection on Route 33 at the boulevard entrance to the development, and the construction of several traffic signals on Millhurst Road.
The planned road improvements and the phasing of the project’s construction would be considered in greater detail if and when an application for Manalapan Crossing is presented to the Planning Board.
Township Attorney Roger McLaughlin said the proposal for residential uses at Manalapan Crossing would require a zoning change to be made by the Township Committee because residential uses are not permitted on the property under the current zoning.
In response to questions from residents, Cardinale’s representatives said efforts would be made to have public-transportation buses service Manalapan Crossing and take commuters to New York via Route 33 and the New Jersey Turnpike, and they said the municipality could use an adjacent piece of property to provide commuter parking.
Michelle Roth, a former mayor of Manalapan, raised issues about the total square footage of the Manalapan Crossing development and the traffic that would be generated as a result of its construction. She said the potential savings on a homeowner’s municipal taxes would be minimal.
“We are going vertical [with the apartments]. It is looking like Starrett City in Brooklyn and not like Manalapan,” Roth said.
During the second presentation of the evening, attorney William Mehr detailed a development concept on behalf of Stavola Enterprises.
Speaking about an undeveloped 66-acre parcel at the corner of Route 33 and Millhurst Road, Mehr said the firm would like to build a 117-unit townhouse neighborhood and a commercial center that would include a market, additional retail space and two office buildings.
The plan would require a zoning accommodation from Manalapan because a residential use is not permitted in the Special Economic Development zone that is in place. At the present time, about 300,000 square feet of commercial space is permitted on the parcel, according to Mehr.
In response to a question from Roth — who asked if Mehr’s client would consider eliminating the residential units and building the 300,000 square feet of commercial space that is permitted on the tract — the attorney said his client would not consider that option.
Of the 117 three-bedroom townhouses, 12 would be affordable housing units — sold at below market rates to individuals and families whose income meets regional guidelines established by the state, according to the presentation.
Rea said improvements would be required at Route 33 and Woodward Road to accommodate the development. As presented, the only access point to the townhouse neighborhood is from Route 33. The townhouse portion of the site abuts the Knob Hill golf course.
Mayor Jack McNaboe, Deputy Mayor Mary Ann Musich, Committeeman Ryan Green and Committeeman Jordan Maskowitz listened to the presentations. Committeewoman Susan Cohen was not present.
Musich said the town hall meeting was where the elected officials were hearing the plans for the first time.