MANALAPAN – The Manalapan Planning Board has granted minor site plan approval to the Millhurst Mills home improvement center at 17 Sweetmans Lane for what an attorney described as “aesthetic improvements” to a business that has operated in the township since the early years of the 20th century.
During a June 28 meeting, Millhurst Mills was represented by attorney Frank Accisano and engineer John Ploskonka.
Accisano said the applicant was seeking “aesthetic improvements” to what will be identified by a sign as the Millhurst Design Center. In addition to the sign, other improvements will include new doors and an awning. Variances were requested and granted for facade signs and for the storage of small filled propane gas tanks at the property.
Accisano said Millhurst Mills sells grills and in conjunction with that, the applicant requested and received permission from the board to establish two spaces at the site – one in front of the building and one on the side of the building – where customers will be able to bring an empty tank and exchange it for a full tank of propane gas.
The propane tanks provided to customers will be filled offsite and brought to Millhurst Mills, Ploskonka said. He said the operation at Millhurst Mills would be similar to the propane tank exchange at other local home improvement centers. Ploskonka said the full tanks of propane gas would be stored in locked cages.
In commenting on the plan, board member Richard Hogan, who is Manalapan’s fire official, said the fire code dictates how many propane tanks may be stored in one cage.
“We will review (the gas tank storage) in our annual inspection” of the site, Hogan said. “This project is a definite improvement. Many residents shop at Millhurst Mills and have done so for years. They have made many improvements to the site. I am in favor of the application.”
No one from the public commented on the application.
Board member Barry Fisher made a motion to approve the Millhurst Mills application. Chairwoman Kathryn Kwaak, Vice Chairwoman Daria D’Agostino, Mayor Jack McNaboe, Township Committeeman David Kane, Barry Jacobson, Todd Brown, John Castronovo, Fisher and Hogan voted “yes.”