Attorney to convert former
clubhouse into law offices
By clare MARie celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — A law practice will soon occupy the building where Freehold women gathered for monthly meetings for more than 40 years.
On June 11, the Planning Board granted approval for Herbert Ellis of Manal-apan to operate his law practice in the building at the corner of South and Institute streets.
Ellis will make Freehold Borough home for his law practice and will occupy the red brick building that has held gatherings for the Woman’s Club of Freehold since the early 1960s.
The Planning Board vote was 4-2 in favor of the application. Chairman Michael Buchalski and board members Henry Stryker III, Michael Toubin and Joseph Copeland voted for the application. Board members Sheryl Mott and Jerry Hammer voted against the approval.
Attorney Gerald Sonnenblick of Free-hold Township presented the board with an amended and revised site plan for the office. The board continued the hearing that the applicant originally brought to the board on April 23.
A resolution will be prepared by Patrick Accisano, the board’s attorney, for the preliminary and final site plan approval for a parking waiver for two parking spaces and two bulk variances for pre-existing lot conditions (minimum lot frontage and minimum lot coverage).
Initially, no on-site parking was provided as part of the application. Revisions were made to eliminate a small proposed addition to the building and add a driveway with four parking spaces. The revisions were presented to the board on June 11.
The application called for a variance for the existing 9,793-square-foot lot, slightly under the ordinance requirement of 10,000 square feet, as well as a lot width of 75 feet, which is under the required 100 feet. Sonnenblick said the plan met the requirements on the Institute Street side of the property.
Board members addressed the issue of drainage on the property.
According to project engineer Alan Saffner of Design Tec Engineering, James-burg, in order to prevent water runoff from going onto neighboring properties, he will design specific elevations and create a "high" spot at the rear of the building to direct the flow of water south, toward South Street and flow along the curb side of Institute Street.
Four dry wells were also proposed by the engineer.
Provisions for handicapped access to the building were also addressed.
In order to ensure parking lot safety while providing minimal disturbance for neighbors, lighting for the office will be low level intensity, according to Saffner.
Saffner testified that the project would have no negative impact on the neighborhood and would not pose any danger to the safety of residents. He said that in his opinion the conversion of the building from the woman’s club to an attorney’s office will be an improvement.