Assisted
living facility proposed
JOHN BURTON
The Hub
Red Bank’s Zoning Board of Adjustment began hearing testimony on an application to build an assisted living facility on four acres of Locust Avenue property.
American Heritage Living of Shrewsbury is before the board seeking a special reasons "D" variance for the facility, which does not conform to the prevailing multi-residential use the site is zoned for.
Zoning in the area would permit single-family residences or garden apartments, but an assisted living complex is not one of the permitted uses so the variance is required.
The company’s plan calls for a 71,000-square-foot long-term care residence, containing 75 apartments, 41 of which would be studios and the other 34 one-bedroom, according to Stephen P. Aluotto of Nadasky Kopelson Architects, Morristown, speaking on behalf of the applicant.
The proposed structure would be L-shaped and 34 1/2 feet high when viewed from the street, with four stories, one of them a partially above-ground basement (due to the grade of the property), and would be 211 feet in length, according to Aluotto.
The apartments would comprise 60 percent of the structure with the remaining 40 percent of the facility dedicated to dining, TV, and exercise rooms "to promote socialization," he said.
The apartments would contain a small kitchenette area consisting of a sink, a small refrigerator, and a space for a microwave. A stove or a hot plate would not be permitted, Aluotto said.
Joseph J. Layton of Matawan, the professional planner for the applicant, said, "It’s not unlike a garden apartment for senior citizens.
"This type of housing is compatible to Locust Avenue," Layton added.
Layton also said that this project has "no detrimental effects to my knowledge." And, by state statute, senior housing is an "inherently beneficial use," he said.
Many in the audience seemed to disagree with Layton’s statement and other testimony presented that evening.
Lauren Nicosia, board president, had to ask audience members to refrain from making comments, saying there would be ample opportunity for views to be expressed at a later date.
One theme that did emerge from the questioning was a concern for public access to the river from the property and