Aberdeen condo hearing delayed due to late taxes
Planning Board also
postpones final approval of Orchards subdivision
ABERDEEN — A Planning Board hearing on a Route 34 condominium complex has been postponed until January.
The hearing on Greenwich at Aberdeen, a proposed 64-townhouse complex on Route 34 south near the Morganville border, was continued from Dec. 6 to Jan. 3 because of delinquent property taxes.
About 40 residents showed up for the Greenwich application, only to be informed that the application would be carried to Jan. 3.
Greenwich developers are seeking preliminary approval to construct 64 residential, two-bedroom townhouses with garages. The applicant is seeking variances for setbacks, a recreation area, and slope requirements.
The application was continued because property taxes were outstanding at the time of last week’s meeting. "Right now, the taxes are not up to date," said board Chairman Ron Igneri. "They are [negligent] for a whole year’s worth and are a substantial amount."
The applicant apparently thought that the matter had been resolved as of that afternoon.
Board Attorney Michael Leckstein said, however, that the board was supposed to receive a letter verifying that the taxes had been paid Thursday, the day after the board meeting. He said the township never received such a letter.
"In all my years on this board, we’ve never heard an application with outstanding taxes," said Sobel.
Tim Gillen, the board engineer, also said that the applicant had "not furnished the architectural drawings." He added that he received the required information for a storm drainage analysis the previous day, but did not have enough time to review the information.
The board and audience members expressed their displeasure with the application that could not proceed.
"We’ve turned down applicants for not signing plans, never mind for not paying taxes," said board member Jim Lauro.
"Not paying taxes is a burden on everyone in town," added board member Councilman Vincent Vinci, drawing a round of applause from the audience.
The board also continued a hearing on the Orchards at Aberdeen, a proposed 51-single family housing subdivision off Matawan Avenue, Grove and Myrtle streets in the Cliffwood section, until Jan. 17.
The Orchards application, which has already received preliminary approval, still has three outstanding issues which must be settled before it can receive final approval: sanitary sewer fee contributions, contributions to Matawan Avenue reconstruction, and homeowner association documentation.
"There are a lot of items still to be finalized," said board member Robert Axelrad, who added, "I have reservations about granting final approval."
"Continuing the application is a way for the board to have control over issues to completion" of the project, added Mayor David Sobel.