By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
An 80-unit, mixed use complex may be coming to the west side in Asbury Park after the City Council approved a redevelopment plan for the site at 1001 First Avenue.
This would be the next of many redevelopments on the west side of the city.
The plan calls for a five story building with 80 residential units and retail and parking on the ground floor.
The council and developers Joseph Sasson and Joseph Bossone will next negotiate a redeveloper’s agreement which will then be sent to the Planning Board for a site plan review and final approval.
At the public hearing several residents of The Lofts which is located across the street from the project on Second Avenue questioned whether sufficient parking is included in the plans.
Asbury Park Homeowner’s Association President Jordan Modell, a resident of the Lofts, asked council about parking availability.
Modell said he was “all for it, we need ratables” but was concerned that developers did not include enough parking spaces for the project.
“The west side is the epitome of Asbury Park, rich, poor, black, white, Latino, business and residents,” he said.
He said parking is already an issue in his neighborhood during the summer months.
City Planner Michele Alonso said the project’s parking ratio 1.48 per unit and is designed with an overflow area for parking. The city’s parking requirement is 1.18 per unit.
“The developer believes he has enough parking….it’s an overlay plan not typically seen,” she said.
Bossone spoke at the meeting and said he was happy to see neighbors taking an interest in the project.
“I want to galvanize this interest,” he said. “I want it to have a sense of community. There are 120 parking spaces available.”