By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
MARLBORO – Given a second chance before the Marlboro Planning Board, a physician has received approval to convert an existing home into a medical office and to construct an addition to that structure.
The structure is on Robertsville Road (Route 520), just west of Route 9 in Marlboro.
The applicant, Dr. Tusharkumar Mistry, was represented before the board by attorney Salvatore Alfieri.
Mistry’s application to convert the home to an office was rejected by board members in August due to concerns about the number of parking space and issues related to storm water management at the property.
The application was back before the board on Sept. 7. The board’s attorney, Michael Herbert, said the plan was eligible for reconsideration because of an error on the part of the board.
Herbert said the board could not reject the proposal based on parking issues. The application had what was deemed to be an adequate number of parking spaces, although some board members indicated they did not consider the parking spaces adequate for employees and patients.
Herbert said in regard to storm water issues, there was adequate testimony regarding that subject and the applicant was compliant in dealing with potential issues relating to storm water runoff from the site.
The property at 8 Route 520 is opposite and west of the Stokes Lane intersection.
According to testimony presented on Aug. 3, the first phase of the project proposed converting an existing dwelling into a 1,392-square-foot medical building. A total of five parking spaces (including one space for individuals who have a handicap) were provided.
The second phase proposed constructing a 2,198-square-foot, one-story addition at the rear of the existing home. Testimony on Aug. 3 indicated the addition would include 14 parking spaces, for a total of 19 parking spaces at the site.
During the Sept. 7 meeting, Alfieri said the first phase of the project has been modified and now proposes seven parking spaces instead of five. And, the total number of parking spaces when the second phase has been completed will be 24 instead of 19.
Alfieri said if the application was approved, Mistry should have a tenant and a proposed number of exam rooms by the time he returns for approval of the second phase. He said Mistry will address any storm water runoff issues that may arise at the property.
Board Chairman Mark Barenburg, Township Councilwoman Carol Mazzola, who sits on the board, and board members Neil Betoff, Christopher Cherbini, Rohit Gupta and Michael Slotopolsky voted to grant preliminary and final approval to the first phase of the project, and preliminary approval to the second phase of the application.
Board Vice Chairman Michael Messinger arrived after testimony was presented on the doctor’s application.
In other business, the board approved an amended site plan for Maple Tree Plaza, Route 79 near Old Mill Road. Alfieri represented Maple Tree Plaza.
When the plan was approved it was the applicant’s intention to construct a 3,080-square-foot bank at the site, but that has not occurred.
The applicant returned on Sept. 7 with a proposal to replace the bank with a 6,000-square-foot multi-tenant retail building and to add 15 parking spaces for a total of 302 parking spaces at the property. The site plan showed four tenants in the 6,000-square-foot building.
The Maple Tree Plaza application was approved in 2002 and amended in 2004. The site is currently operational with two one-story multi-tenant commercial buildings and a daycare facility.
The amended plan was approved as Barenburg, Betoff, Cherbini, Gupta, Mazzola and Slotopolsky voted yes.
Messinger voted no and said he had an issue with the total of 302 parking spaces proposed by the applicant.
“I am torn,” he said. “It is a very good application. With my own personal experience with this shopping center, I have noticed a shortage of parking. The lack of parking will have me vote no for this (amended plan), despite everything else in the application being good.”