REVISED LOFTS PROJECT WINS OK
The mixed-use residential, retail and restaurant project was scaled down from the version approved in 2006. (Click to enlarge)
By MOLLY MULSHINE
Red Bank’s zoning board has been convinced, and the MW West Side Lofts project is off the hook for 51 of the parking spots its developers originally proposed.
The project, to be configured in a horseshoe around Dannys Grill & Wine Bar, at Bridge Avenue and West Front Street, is being developed by Metrovation, which operates three similar mixed-use projects in Morristown, and other properties throughout the state. The firm was also developed Shrewsburys Grove shopping centers and was a redeveloper of key properties in downtown Red Bank in the 1990s.
The site plan for the Lofts was originally approved in 2006, and includes 92 luxury rental apartments as well as street-level retail units, live-and-work artists’ spaces, a parking garage and a Triumph Brewing Company restaurant.
Although the developers first intended to sell the units as condominiums, they have since decided to rent them as apartments instead. This reduces the need for parking, Maurice Rached, a parking expert from Maser Consulting, said in testimony at the zoning board meeting Thursday night. This is because parking spots are often a must for prospective buyers, but are not as important to those who will rent, he said.
The reduction in the size of the brewpub by 3,400 square feet should also decrease the need for parking spots, Rached said. He anticipated the brewpub, at its busiest, will require 80 spots at once.
In total, about 137 spots will be needed for restaurant and retail parking, while 92 will be needed for residential, he said, although of the 92 residential rental units, 57 will be double-bedroom apartments and 35 will be single-bedroom.
Developers anticipate there will be an additional 30 spots freed up by the building’s CarShare program. Under the CarShare program, tenants will be able to schedule time to use cars provided by Metrovation. Those who participate will likely pay an additional fee on their rent each month, according to Metrovation developer Steve Santola. The system has proven popular in cities like Philadelphia, and Santola and his colleagues are confident it will be a hit with the young professionals they hope to attract to the MW West Side Lofts.
After some board members expressed trepidation, the board approved a measure that will allow the proposed number of off-street parking spaces to decrease from 264 to 213. The board also unanimously approved site plan amendments which will increase the building’s height from 55 feet to 60, and the lot coverage from 62 percent to 63.8 percent.
Zoning board vice-chair Thomas Williams, along with other board members, was swayed by the data Rached and Santola presented.
“I was skeptical, and the testimony given has convinced me that this should go forward,” Williams said.
Oct 07, 2011 @ 11:07:06
So, they really bought the bill of goods that people are “trending” to sharing cars? That is a joke and the people who are moving here and want to pay $2,200 for a 2 bedroom apartment want 2 cars. Why don’t they look at the problems with even 1 bedroom rentals at Riverview Towers and Granville Towers? I have friends at Riverview Towers who either have to park on Allen Place or pay for one of their cars at the parking garage on Front St. Granville Towers people park all over Morford Pl and Allen Pl. Guess they didn’t hear they are supposed to trend to sharing cars or get different jobs reachable by train.
Oct 07, 2011 @ 12:51:25
Boo. Hiss. Another huge project with inadequate parking to make traffic on Front St Impossible and Impassible.
Trying to get the ambulance through there is bad enough already.
Oct 07, 2011 @ 14:53:02
I did a quick search for recommended parking allowances and the best one I found was for Houston. I understand we have some bit of “apples and oranges”, but it might be a better representation than a paid consultant working for the developer.
https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/DevelopRegs/docs_pdfs/parking_req.pdf
By Houston’s recommendations the residents would need 142 parking spots. The proposed project is slated for 92. I didn’t calculate for the retail/restaurant.
Te Red Bank Council should really look at this closely and determine what’s best for Red Bank citizens.
Also the trend of “sharing cars” may be just that: a trend. What happens when the economy improves and people stop sharing? Urban planning based on what might be a temporary economic necessity may not be the wisest of options.
Oct 07, 2011 @ 22:40:04
If people don’t like the parking set up, they don’t have to rent apartments there or visit the retail or restaurant. As for people complaining about parking, you should hopefully know the parking situation before you sign a lease. Don’t like it, don’t rent it. Pretty simple.
Oct 08, 2011 @ 15:07:47
I just wonder what kinda stress a project this size puts on Red Bank’s infrastructure.
Oct 08, 2011 @ 18:05:11
Parking will be an issue and a problem, but come on now, are those truly the colors of the development? Red Bank is not South Beach.
Nov 15, 2011 @ 15:05:00
Real easy to say “Dont like it, dont rent it. Pretty simple.” I have lived on the next block for over 16 years and I obviously don’t have a choice in this. I can barely get out of my driveway on a normal day with the way the traffic has gotten in the past 5+ years. This is going to be a NIGHTMARE for anyone who lives nearby — and YES, there are some of us long-time residents over here that people seem to forget about.