By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Two new building contracts were approved this week by the Asbury Park Planning Board.
One is a Dollar Tree store Main Street between Third and Fourth Avenues. Developed by Fasano Properties, it will also include 11 onsite parking spaces for one building and in the other near the Fourth Avenue side a building with ground level retail and four apartments on the second floor.
That building will have nine on site parking spaces.
Project Manager and Vice President of Real Estate Development William Stuckey testified about changes that were made to the project since the original plan was granted preliminary approval by the planning board in June.
One main change was that the uses of the two buildings were “flip flopped” from the original plans putting the Dollar Tree near Third Avenue where a mattress store operates and the mixed use building near Fourth Avenue.
“It cleans up the entire street and improves the aesthetic,” Stuckey said.
There will also be a large mural on the Third Avenue side of the building and representatives said they had contacted local artist Porkchop about the artwork.
There was only one condition included for the final approval and that was a test of the viability of a truck being able to enter and exit the parking lot next to the Dollar Tree for loading.
The agreement stipulates that loading will only be done after hours.
However, several board members were concerned that the truck would not be able to maneuver and wanted to see a test run.
The plan also calls for high capacity bike racks to be installed, along with benches and landscaping.
The lighting was also an issue with Board Member Sara Anne Towry saying she did not want the Dollar Tree sign to be lighted, but only back lit instead.
The four apartments will each have a balcony and dedicated tenant parking will be in the rear.
By giving each apartment one parking space developers had to cut down on parking for retail customers.
But Stuckey said an investigation found there are 137 on street parking spaces in the surrounding area.
“Customers will be able to find a parking space,” he said.
Architect Benjamin Fasano said the facade will be red brick on the the first level and stucco on the second.
He also said the design includes aluminum awnings and green trim bands in keeping with the Dollar Tree brand.
“The Dollar Tree will be a welcome addition,” he said.
Fasano also said the new buildings will provide more security in the neighborhood.
The engineer said remediation of the former site of a Getty Station where the retail/residential building will be, is ongoing.
The other approved project is a townhouse complex on Springwood Avenue, the former site of the Turf Club. The complex is being developed by Interfaith Neighbors, Inc. It includes 10 townhouses with a total of 20 units and off street parking.
Paul McEvily, Associate Executive Director of Interfaith Neighbors explained that each townhouse includes a one bedroom apartment on the ground floor and a two to three bedroom townhouse on the second.
Owners will be able to rent out one unit and live in the other.
McEvily said this will be the organization’s seventh project in the city.
The project, which has five buildings, will be completed in three phases.
Each unit will have its own front door which will be accessed from the front porch on Springwood Avenue.
Units have balconies in the front and terraces in the rear.
Engineer Brian Grant presented site plans that include a rain garden for storm water management and permeable pavers in the parking lot.
Arborvitae trees will be planted along the parking area, from Atkins Avenue to Adams Street, along a three foot fence. Each townhouse deed will stipulation that property owners are responsible for their own maintenance.
