Fourteen Chapin Ave. townhouses proposed
By JOHN BURTON
Staff Writer
RED BANK — If the first meeting of the new year is any indication, 2001 stands to be busy for the borough’s Planning Board.
At Monday’s meeting, the board began the year hearing an application to construct a 14-unit townhouse development on Chapin Avenue. But, as with a number of applications heard last year by the board and the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, it was met by opposition from area residents.
Charles B. Hembling of Red Bank, and John Bitman of Little Silver, principals in Red Bank Ridge, have applied to the board for a site plan approval, design waivers, and a number of variances to be permitted to construct the townhouses.
Hembling and Bitman told the board they had considered a number of possible projects for the property, but decided on the 14 two-story, attached, single-family dwellings because they believed it was the best plan to maintain the integrity of the surrounding neighborhood.
"We considered a number of possibilities," Hembling said. "We thought this would be consistent with the neighborhood."
The property is 2.37 acres, and is currently undeveloped.
"It used to be a broken down boarding house [ was located there, which was torn down] and since then it has been a place where people dump garbage and park trucks," said Hembling, describing the property’s uses.
The plan calls for each unit to have two bedrooms, a one-car garage, a full basement and a deck overlooking the river, Bitman said.
Bitman said he and Hembling have had a long involvement with the borough, especially on the west side where they own a number of properties on Bridge, Maple and Shrewsbury avenues.
They said they considered garden apartments, a permitted use in the zone, but decided on the proposed plan to help encourage home ownership, Bitman said.
There are environmental considerations concerning the project that the board, as well as the developer, must take into account.
The property, which abuts the river, has areas of wetlands protected by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Also on the property is a 35-foot drop to the river protected by a coastal bluff.
Elizabeth Waterbury, the engineer representing the applicant, assured the board and audience the land would be protected and that she has been in discussion with the DEP.
During the testimony of the engineer and developers, there were angry rumblings and barbed comments from the audience.
Later, a number of residents said this was the wrong type of project for the neighborhood.
The area, with the exception of the nursing home Avante at Red Bank, is primarily composed of single-family homes, and that is how the residents would like to see the property developed.
"You’re basically taking what is a cul-de-sac, and now you’re going to land this project right there," said Robert Alvarez of Knight Street. "You could have made as much money with single-family homes."
"This is bringing such an impact to that neighborhood," concurred Wendy Spinner, who lives on Chapin. "We’re not against you developing this. That’s what this country is based on. It’s just the size."
Alvarez also said these dwellings, which will probably go for about $175,000, will not attract those interested in staying in the area for any length of time.
"What this is going to attract is people coming and going," he said.
Hembling tried to assure the residents that this development is conducive to the community.
Richard B. Thompson, the attorney representing the applicants, suggested a meeting be held to allow residents to express their concerns.
"We’re more than happy to meet with everyone," Thompson said.
McKenna said he thought that was a good idea, that he has known Thompson for almost 20 years, and the neighborhood residents will find him quite accessible.
Board member Daniel Mancuso also assured the audience that there will be ample opportunity for them to ask questions and make comments.
"You’ll have as much time as necessary," Mancuso said.