A proposal to build more than 300 townhomes at a former Avaya property in Lincroft has neighbors worried. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
A plan to build out a vacant property in Lincroft with more than 300 homes has neighbors concerned and “real nervous” about the impacts of such a large development in one of Middletown’s more tranquil areas.
Plans submitted by Four Ponds Associates call for 342 residential units — 274 of them townhomes and 68 apartments — on the 68-acre property most recently used as an office of business technology giant Avaya.
While the plans are under review by the township’s planning department, nearby residents full of questions and concerns are banding together in opposition to develop the sprawling tract on Middletown-Lincroft Road, which is now the site of a 352,000-square-foot office building, according to property records.
“I think the entire village and Lincroft is so upset by this,” said Bill Elliot, who lives on Seagull Lane, which abuts the Avaya property. “We can’t understand why this property was selected. It really makes no sense.”
Before concerns about traffic, safety and a general disturbance to the area’s makeup, Elliot said he and others want to know, from an official perspective, at least, what the vision is for that property.
A similar plan was submitted to the township last year, but was never completed. Elliot said neighbors and members of the Lincroft Village Green Association, a non-profit advocacy group, were told that the issue was “put to bed.”
Now the developer has submitted this proposal, which Elliot said “came out of the blue.”
The worry is that a major residential development could adversely affect property values, traffic and safety, he said.
“It’s going to have a tremendous impact on our property values. It will just tower over our homes,” Elliot said. “To be honest, we can’t get a straight answer. We’re starting to get really nervous.”
Why can’t these developers build single family homes on 1/2 or 3/4 acre lots? Why can’t they make the homes, not monsters, but for the average family? I would buy a 2200 sq. ft. house! That is what needs to be built ALL through monmouth county. No more houses that cost what most of us can’t afford!
Ew. Terrible idea. Let alone that there’s already a saturation in the market of properties no one can buy but Lincroft Elementary cannot handle another influx of kids. Can we PLEASE stop building things we don’t need?
Erica –
I agree – but if a developer came into Middletown & built 2200 sf homes on 68 acres at a 1/2 an acre each, lets face it, they wouldn’t be affordable. They would start at $750 in Lincroft. Affordable housing is not something you are ever going to see in Monmouth County, it’s just a sign of the times.
Jen Woods
Affordable housing going up at Red Banks Cedar Crossing.
Just don’t drive down Catherine street to see these homes or you will spend an hour at the local car wash getting all the mud off your car.
However if pavement doesn’t come soon you might be able to come down and see our street garden.
Jenny Miller? Didn’t we go to HS together?
Did you call the Borough Engineer? I read about your street, sounds pretty bad. What did Jennifer Beck say? Maybe you should call someone from NJDOT in Freehold & file a formal complaint. Good luck!
I don’t know did we? which school?
RBR, but then you left to go away to school, right?
Hey ladies, I don’t mean to interrupt, but I have been following Jenns delema too. Jen, you need to go to a council meeting with your neighbors, tell your story at the public portion and get it on the record. This is crazy that they can’t put a temporary patch on.
Cindy, do you know when next meeting is, because i would love to send my husband to it.
Also, do you know Ed Zipprich?
I hear he is a person to contact, since Gary at public works very rarely holds to any promise that you get out of him, at least concerning this situation.
thanx
Jen, The next council meeting is this coming Wednesday, March 16th at 6:30pm in Borough Hall. I would suggest you bring others & pictures. You’ll have to wait until the end of the meeting to speak at the public portion and that could take a while. I believe RB will be presenting their budget and the council will also be discussing the proposed Community Garden and taking a vote on that. Come and sit in support of the Garden. We need resident support! Here is Ed’s email address: ezipprich@redbanknj.org
The only right solution here is for the town to hold a referendum on the construction. Lay out a few different options on the table and vote on it.
I know that won’t happen, but that is really the only just solution to this problem.
Jen, yes thats me RBR
Cindy thanks for the info, will let my husband know since he is the one who makes comments and is frustrated by this street, it is pathetic, he’s lived on this street for over 40 years and never been paved