This two-family home at 240 Shrewsbury Avenue would be demolished to make way for 14 apartments under a proposed plan (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
A Holmdel developer has applied to the Red Bank zoning board to knock down a home on Shrewsbury Avenue and build a 14-apartment complex, according to documents filed with the borough building department.
The complex would rise on a three-lot, half-acre parcel between Bank and River Streets that has been in limbo for several years since another developer’s proposal for a 23-unit complex was scuttled in 2021.
A drawing of the exterior from the plans submitted by Incredible Oz for 240 Shrewsbury Avenue. (click to enlarge)
The two-family home at 240 Shrewsbury Avenue has sat boarded up with an X spray painted on it and no activity for more than a year since a demolition permit was issued by the borough.
Last month, the owner of the property, Incredible Oz LLC, whose owners are listed on the application as Maryellen, Gil and Alex Santopadre of Holmdel, submitted the new plans for 14 two-bedroom units. Applicants were notified by the building department the project would need variances from the Zoning Board of Adjustment because it does not conform with borough zoning ordinances. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Plans call for five three-story buildings surrounding an open courtyard. Two of the units would be set aside to fulfill the town’s affordable housing obligations, according to the plans. (see related redbankgreen story below). The complex would have a parking lot with 28 parking spaces. You can view the full plans here: Architectural Plans
FACING NEW HOUSING QUOTA, RED BANK EYES ADDING UNITS TO COMPLEX
A date for a hearing has not been set. Incredible Oz is represented by the Red Bank law firm McKenna, DuPont, Stone & Washburne, whose principals include former Red Bank Mayor Ed Mckenna. Neither McKenna, whose name is listed on the application, nor the owners of the property returned an email from redbankgreen seeking comment.
The property was part of a 2021 plan by developer Roger Mumford that called for demolishing the house at 240 Shrewsbury Avenue and one next door, on the corner at 234 Shrewsbury Avenue, to build a four-story structure with 23 apartments.
Zoning board members dubbed it too tall, too dense, and too out of step with where things should be going. Neighbors said it would gentrify a low-income area.
Resistance continued even after Mumford twice reduced the scope of the project, first cutting the number of units to 20, and then lopping off an entire floor.
Mumford abruptly withdrew the application in September, 2021 just moments before an expected up-or-down vote by the zoning board, giving opponents a win.
Incredible Oz LLC purchased the three lot-parcel in March 2023 for $750,000. An approval of the new plan would mark the latest significant change for a stretch of Shrewsbury Avenue that already has several others in the works.
In September, 2023, the zoning board approved plans for 32 single-resident apartments for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities one block south at 273 Shrewsbury Avenue. That plan calls for the commercial building that once housed a karate school to be demolished.
Meanwhile, several blocks north at 160 Shrewsbury Avenue, construction continues on a three-story mixed use building that was approved in 2018. That building would have four apartments and street level office space.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
