An architect’s rendering of the proposed condos.

The would-be developer of 12 proposed townhouses at the western ends of Drs. James Parker Boulevard and Bank Street told he planning board last week that he’s simply following the Red Bank master plan in not preserving three vacant single-family homes there, the Asbury Park Press reported Sunday.

From the story:

Experts for developers RW at River’s Edge LLC argued at Thursday’s Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting that the project fits the intent of borough zoning.

But the concept of demolishing single-family homes on the west side and replacing them with townhouses has raised concerns among Mayor Pasquale “Pat” Menna and others who want to see development and rehabilitation of single-family houses encouraged.

On the other side are property owners who said the borough’s master plan, which guides development, prompted the investors to buy the land and propose the project, which they contend largely conforms to the two zones it is in.

“We were induced to buy the property based on the master plan and (borough) zoning,” said George Whelan, of Little Silver, one of the principals of RW at River’s Edge LLC. “It clearly has a vision of creating multifamily zoning along the river.”

The property lies in two zones: the RD zone, which permits a minimum of six units per acre of attached, two-family garden apartments and townhouses, and the RB-1 zone, which allows attached or detached single-family homes. The proposed townhouses would be in the RD zone, while the multifamily building is proposed in the RB-1 zone, officials said.

Whelan told the board the existing homes, one of which had been used as a five-room boarding house at one time, are in poor condition.

“The government hasn’t got the money to rehabilitate them, and the task falls to the private developer,” said Whelan, who also questioned whether the boarding house would have passed an inspection.

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