By KENNY WALTER
Staff Writer
LONG BRANCH — A developer has gained approved to construct 46 residential units above the existing Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway on Third Avenue.
During the April 19 meeting, the Long Branch Planning Board approved an application by DKD Investments for the mixed-use project located in the heart of the city’s Transit Village District, across from the train station and a block from Monmouth Medical Center.
“That district was created in order to encourage development and economic vitality in relationship to the train station, as well as the hospital,” project planner Andrew Janlw said. “This project couldn’t be more on point with those objectives.
“It is directly across from the train station, there is a commercial component that will remain, there will be a substantial upgrade to the facilities, and the applicant has proposed a new streetscape.”
The project includes 31,000 square feet of commercial space, which includes the existing Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants, as well as 46 residential units and an underground parking deck to accommodate 70 cars. The project includes 32 one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom apartments and two three-bedroom apartments.
Project engineer Brent Neil Papi Jr. also said there is an existing office building and two single-family homes that will be demolished, as well as a portion of the rear of the existing commercial space. There will also be landscaping improvements as well as buffering improvements and the construction of a wall as part of the project.
The applicant sought several bulk variances for setbacks and driveway access.
In 2013, the City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance designating the zone around the railroad station as a Transit Village District.
The district, bordered by Ocean Boulevard and Bath, Prospect and Chelsea avenues, would have four sub districts: a mixed-use core, higher density medical/residential transition, lower density residential fringe and a medical village.
However, the Planning Board recommended changes to the Transit Village ordinance, calling for lower density housing west of the Third Avenue train station and requiring developers who do not meet parking requirements to pay into a fund for accessibility improvements, which was approved by the City Council last year.
Board member Edward Thomas said the project perfectly encapsulates the goals of Transit Village.
“This is the first application in the Transit Village zone that perfectly matches exactly what we are trying to promote,” he said. “This is exactly what the Transit Village notion is.”
However, Kelly Tierney, who owns the next-door building, which include residential units and John’s Pizza, said the proposal includes the commercial dumpster that will be located too close to her property.
“The refuse containers are right behind my property, three feet away,” she said. “Why should I have to endure this nuisance odor from his building?”
Board attorney Martin Arbus said city professionals indicated the proposed location was the best area for the refuse area.
The New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Transit Village initiative provides incentives for municipalities to redevelop or revitalize the areas around train stations using design standards of transit-oriented development.