Residential project will replace nursing home
Zoning Bd. approves Riverview Terrace on West Front St.
BY MELISSA KARSH Staff Writer

RED BANK - The Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved the site plan for a condominium development on West Front Street Nov. 1.

The application for a 27-unit, fivestory residential development, Riverview Terrace, had been bifurcated, with the bulk and "d" variances being heard and approved previously.

"This is an improvement over what's there," said board member Thomas Williams. "We are going to have four affordable housing units and that's important."

With the approval of the three "d" variances, the applicant, West Front Street Partners, was seeking approval for additional minor "c" variances.

These variances included a multifamily building setback with 10 feet being provided and 25 feet required; and several setbacks from the side and rear lot lines including no setback from the east property line; percentage of two and three bedroom units with 80 percent of two and three bedroom units permitted and 96.3 percent being proposed, according to borough engineer Richard A. Kosenski's Nov. 1 review letter.

Board member Josephine Lee also said she found the new application more attractive than the Meridian Health Systems nursing home that is currently located at 55 W. Front St., across the street from Riverside Gardens Park.

"I had mixed feelings about this application," said Lee, but she said she found the new application fairly attractive. "What is currently there is more of a blight on Trinity Church next door."

The application also required design waivers including a landscaping strip along the side and rear of the property; and parking within a front yard area with five parking spaces being proposed between White Street and the building, according to Kosenski's review letter.

While the zoning board members were supportive of the application, Historic Preservation Committee (HPC) Chairman George Bowden spoke out against the application.

"I feel that it is out of scale and character [with the rest of the neighborhood]. We [HPC] ask you to reject the application for this variance and all of the variances in general," said Bowden.

He said the building would impact the Trinity Episcopal Church, 65 W. Front St., located next door.

Bowden said Trinity Episcopal Church, which was built in 1850, is the oldest church in Red Bank and is a candidate for the National Historic Register.

Board Chairwoman Lauren Nicosia disagreed with Bowden and said instead of hiding Trinity Episcopal, the new design would complement the church.

"I think the applicant has made a lot of improvements over the weeks. I think that this structure will complement and improve that area," she said.

The Board approved the application with a list of conditions including that the applicant would utilize good faith efforts to place utilities equipment underground and conduct a Building Department review of ADA accessibility to the building.

"I don't think it's going to be a quick start so to speak for the construction," said the applicant's attorney Peter S. Falvo.

He noted that some residents of the nursing home had not yet moved out of the building.

Although Falvo said construction would not begin in the near future, he also said the application had already received a Two River Water Reclamation Authority sewer ban exemption.