MANALAPAN – The long-awaited construction of a new Old Silver Tavern on Freehold-Englishtown Road (Route 522) in Manalapan may be ready to get underway.
That was the message delivered to the members of the Planning Board by attorney Frank Accisano on June 27. Accisano represents James Lawson, who plans to build a new restaurant at the site.
The Old Silver Tavern, a landmark in Manalapan for decades, was recently demolished as part of a plan to construct a new building. The tavern and restaurant had been closed for years.
Accisano previously said a plan for a new restaurant on the site was approved by the board in 2014.
He appeared before the board on June 27 to request a one-year extension of time for the preliminary and final major site plan approval that Lawson received five years ago.
The extension of time was granted in a 9-0 vote by board members.
The board’s attorney, Ron Cucchiaro, explained that the extension of time the board granted to Lawson protects him from any zone change that could occur on the property.
Cucchiaro said no zoning changes are contemplated at the location where Lawson plans to construct the new restaurant.
Accisano said all approvals from outside agencies, including Monmouth County and the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority, have been secured.
“We expect to start construction shortly, including the sewer line,” Accisano said.