BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer
KEYPORT — What should be done with Aeromarine? It’s a query that’s generating more questions than answers.
Future plans for the redevelopment of the historic site were up for discussion June 24 during a Unified Planning Board hearing.
“Should it be residential? Industrial? Commercial? A museum of maritime and aeronautics history?” asked Rowland Seckinger, chairman of the local Environmental Commission.
The hearing, which started 2 1/2 hours later than anticipated, was meant to allow public input into the process of revamping the former World War I aircraft facility, as well as to review the redevelopment plan for the site compiled by Ken Bowers, a professional planner with Phillips, Preiss, Shapiro Associates Inc.
Bowers’ plan is still in the draft stage. Once done and approved by the Unified Planning Board, it will serve as the guidelines by which developers can build on the property.
Seckinger also commented on the problematic landfill that currently sits on the majority of the site’s 62 acres.
“Based on the contract buyer’s assertions that there will be a $20 million remediation cost, the present value of the land is less than zero,” said Seckinger.
Still, the land’s contract purchaser, Century Land Group, has big plans of its own for Aeromarine, plans that differ from the borough’s.
The main differences can be boiled down to three areas: The borough wants a road along the shoreline, while the developer wants a walkway; the borough wants a mix of restaurants, shops and residential uses, and the developer wants only high-end townhouses starting at $500,000; and the borough wants 30 acres of open space, while the developer is offering about 16.
Attorney Michael Gross spoke on the developer’s behalf.
“This exercise is not based in reality,” said Gross. “The current owner doesn’t have the money to clean up the site. Public money isn’t available right now to clean up the site.”
Century Land Group has made it clear they are willing to clean up and cap the landfill.
“This plan simply does not work,” said Gross of the borough’s ideas. “If you adopt it, no developer will bid on it.”
“How do I know if other developers won’t bid on it unless we go through the process?” asked Planning Board Alternate Tony Vecchio.
“You shouldn’t go through the process unless you know it will work,” said Gross.
Century and the borough agree that approximately 500 townhouses would be acceptable for the property.
Board of Education President Ed McNamara spoke about the possible influx of school children as a result of 500 townhouses.
“I almost went into cardiac arrest when I first read about the plan,” said McNamara, adding later, “We’re not very good around here at code enforcement. We have to do it right now so we don’t have problems later.”
Bowers responded that it was impossible to conduct a school impact report at this time, but added, “Single-family homes have far more kids than condos, and condos have more kids than townhouses. Beyond that, it’s difficult to quantify. The denser and more expensive, the lesser the impact. The price of a high-density townhouse is on par with a single-family home. So why would you opt to raise your child in a place with no yard and play structures?”
Resident and Borough Historian Jack Jeandron responded.
“I grew up most of my formative years at 42 First St., a home right on the bay. It was a wonderful experience. … This plan has all the amenities for recreation: trees, a park, [so] why not lots of children?”
Resident John Van Zweden also spoke about the possibility of children at the development.
“I think we need to temper our zeal for new ratables,” said Van Zweden. “We’re so close to New York. I know people who are willing to raise their families in tiny apartments. This would be like a mansion to them.”
Ultimately, nothing was decided at the meeting. And due to the late hour, the Planning Board opted to continue the hearing on July 14 at 7 p.m. At that time, Councilman Robert Bergen said, he plans to give an informal presentation on the subject.
“I’m just like all of you,” Bergen said to the crowd, noting he has children in the school system. “I’m not here to promote anything for Keyport if I didn’t think it was positive.”