The Avaya property hearing saw more than 200 people in attendance, but no decision was made by the planning board. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI

More than 200 people, some wearing t-shirts with a red slash through the number 342,  turned out for Wednesday’s planning board meeting on a proposal to build 342 housing units at a disused Avaya office complex, the Asbury Park Press reports.

It was the first of many expected meetings that will take place over the course of months, Township Planner Jason Greenspan told the newspaper.

The proposal to build 342 units on the 68-acre property on Middletown-Lincroft Road has residents concerned about its impact on the sewer system. Rick Brodsky, attorney for developer Four Ponds Associates, said his client “will certainly pay its fair share” should a new pump station for the system should one be needed.

From reporter the Press:

Over the course of several months, the Planning Board is expected to spend some time reviewing Four Ponds’ traffic study, its environmental impact study, and the project impact on the neighborhood’s sewer capacity, said Anthony Mercantante, township administrator.

“We’ve raised some questions about some of the data they have presented,” Greenspan said Monday. “They’ll have an opportunity to respond.”

The Township of Middletown Sewerage Authority is currently studying how much of the neighborhood sewer capacity is reduced by rain water infiltrating the system through broken pipes or connections, said Rick Brodsky, an attorney representing Four Ponds.

The findings, which Brodsky anticipates will be complete in four months, will help determine the extent of repairs the authority will need to perform ,and how much capacity Four Ponds will need to add so the neighborhood’s sewer needs are met.

The proposal doesn’t sit well with neighbors or township offficials.

Saying it’s part of an “archaic and ridiculous” state mandate to provide affordable housing, Mayor Tony Fiore criticized the state’s affordable housing council for forcing municipalities to add more housing even if they have enough.

Neighbors, on the other hand, are worried the addition of nearly 350 units in a quiet section of Lincroft will disrupt the area’s quality of life and add major traffic and safety problems.

The hearing was adjourned to the board’s June 1 meeting, the paper said.