BOATHOUSE STALLED BY HYDRANT ISSUE
Geoff Johnson’s unfinished Boathouse at Red Bank, and a rendering of what it’s to look like, below. (Click to enlarge)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
While the Red Bank government is working to show that the town is “open for business,” a West Side property owner is among those who say the door still isn’t open wide enough.
“I would have to agree with everyone who’s ever said Red Bank is difficult to do business with,” said Geoff Johnson, who has approved plans to build a kayak and canoe rental and boat club on the banks of the Swimming River, at the north end of Shrewsbury Avenue.
Johnson’s Shrewsbury Avenue property, as seen from the Middletown side of the Swimming River.(Click to enlarge)
Because Johnson’s property is at the end of Shrewsbury Avenue’s antiquated water line, a fire hydrant out front doesn’t deliver enough pressure for use in case of an emergency, borough officials have told him.
A replacement of the existing 4-inch main with an 8-incher is on the drawing board, and expected to be done by the end of the year. But until there’s adequate service to the hydrant, Johnson can’t proceed with construction.
The town says it’s on him to come up with an interim fix if he wants to continue building, Johnson tells redbankgreen.
So Johnson, 55, is faced with having to fork over beaucoup bucks for backup system, or lose a season of construction progress while waiting on the borough.
One interim fix calls for a temporary water connection to a point in the main with better pressure that officials say Johnson would have to pay for. According to Johnson, fire inspector John Drucker also told him he could rent a pricey 43-foot, 21,000-gallon water tank and park it in his yard until the main is replaced.
That option is not only expensive, but an eyesore and safety hazard, he said.
“It’s a spectacle,” he said, and, “it’s an enormously expensive undertaking.”
Johnson, a retired Manhattan-based architect, said he has poured his savings into the three-story structure, dubbed the Boathouse at Red Bank, which is to feature indoor kayak and canoe storage on the ground floor, rental offices on the second and an office and lounge for a private boat club on the third. He envisions the club as a “Monmouth Boat Club, but for kayaks and rowing” instead of sailing.
With building approvals from the borough and state Department of Environmental Protection in hand since 2008, Johnson’s slowly laid the framework for the boathouse and is ready to finish it.
But “I am sitting on hold because of a lack of flow of a fire hydrant,” said Johnson, who lives in the Navesink section of Middletown. “I’d like to do a little arm-twisting and get them to yield on this. That tank is horrendous, in both appearance and cost.”
The property, which faces the west side of the Galleria at Red Bank, also features a Victorian-era house that Johnson has renovated into two rental apartments. But to lose another season of activity on the river would have a major impact on his wallet, Johnson said.
So far, Johnson has laid the foundation for the building and is currently working on installing the parking lot’s curbing and lighting. He had hoped to have the building’s frame erected by July, but the substandard flow has slowed the project’s pace, and Johnson is hoping the borough will reconsider the options given to him so he can get to work and open for business in time to catch summer business.
“I’m going to do everything I humanly can and try to move the ball down the court,” Johnson said.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 07:30:45
I hope a solution can be found and Geoff can at least frame the project this construction season. Geoff has cleaned up this water front property from an eye-sore to what could be a great asset to Red Bank and Kayak enthusiasts.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 07:30:56
Good Luck Geoff.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 07:54:36
It’s heartwarming to see that bureaucracy is alive and well and thriving in Red Bank. If I go to the Red Bank Taj Mahal on Maple, where might I find the ‘Business Prevention’ Department? Or is that everyone’s job?
Jun 09, 2011 @ 09:02:54
May I ask how there cannot be enough water pressure to the new construction to house kayaks and rowboats, but the building behind it on the same property can exist, and it houses people?
Would it not be possible just to have a pump to use the river water in case of a fire?
Jun 09, 2011 @ 09:25:25
seems like he did’t pay someone off
Jun 09, 2011 @ 09:42:29
@alicia woods – Because he is adding an entirely new structure to the site – water pressure that was adequate before is no longer enough. N.J.A.C. 5:21 et seq sets out the water pressure at the hydrant for various types of residential structures (there would be similar requirements for commercial structures). These are set under the state Uniform Construction Code.
Grow up, everybody – this is not The Man trying to take away your fun. It’s fire safety. The developer is a retired architect and should know better. It’s up to a developer to be sure that the site and his plans are up to code before he puts a shovel in the ground.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 09:56:23
Nice touch suggesting ‘everybody grow up.’ I’ll keep that in mind.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 10:01:19
Mom (A.Woods) I believe you would need a permit from NJDEP to draw water from the river for any type of water removal activity. & IF they would allow it (prob. not) it would cost a fortune. Just sayin!
Jun 09, 2011 @ 10:35:39
Thanks. I didn’t know…….that is why I asked.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 11:19:06
@Peter J. Lyden III
NJAC 5:21 is the Residential Site Improvment Standards, they apply only to NEW Residential Sites, this is a commercial site.
5:21-1.3 Intent and purpose
(a) It is the intent and purpose of these rules:
1. To reduce the multiplicity of standards for residential subdivisions and site improvements
which currently exists in this State in order to eliminate unnecessary increases in the cost of housing
where there are noncommensurate gains in the protection of public health and safety;
5:21-1.5 Scope and applicability
(a) These rules shall govern any site improvements carried out or intended to be carried out or
required to be carried out in connection with any application for residential subdivision
Jun 09, 2011 @ 11:38:54
To the Ladies Woods- in case of a fire, most fire depts, at least those in towns near large bodies of water, have pumps and on their pumper truck that allow them to syphon from said water body where hydrants are not available. The issue is that the commercial building doesn’t have strong enough pressure for the sprinklers that the code requires(which are not required in residential buildings- therefore the house is somewhat exempt).
Jun 09, 2011 @ 12:03:39
@ Patrick Mason:
Understood – that’s why I mentioned that there are (most likely) requirements for businesses as well. My laziness in not researching further.
Just trying to make the point that there are valid life-safety reasons – and existing laws – why someone just can’t put up a building wherever they wish – especially in proximity to a residence. I’m no fan of big government, but this is basic stuff. A developer doesn’t get a pass just because people like the use he proposes.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 12:52:22
Thank you. I now understand a little more. It was so nice of everybody to explain this. Usually when I ask a question here, I get accused of being negative, and destructive, and never do get any answers. This was a pleasant surprise. I really appreciate this!
Jun 09, 2011 @ 15:46:49
I too wish a temporary fix could be made so this business could proceed. Mr. Johnson has made a nice improvement already and the proposed business is something a waterfront town should be embracing.
It is unfortunate that when any project gets bogged down some folks always talk about payoffs. Quite simply it appears the owner’s experts did not do their homework when putting together the proposal.
Jun 09, 2011 @ 16:37:49
a fire hydrant out front doesnt deliver enough pressure for use in case of an emergency, borough officials have told him.
does that mean that nice green house is in danger also?
Jun 09, 2011 @ 18:20:08
Hopefully the town gets around to putting in the 8 inch main sooner rather than later.
I really, really hope this gets resolved. This type of business would be just great to have at that spot. Don’t give up, Geoff!