By DAVID VILACOBA
Smallwood made his case for his proposed additions to the properties at 199 and 205 Broad Street. to the Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment on Thursday night. The project would require the board’s approval of several variances, including the ok to combine the two lots into one.
Several neighbors attended and raised a host of concerns over the project, including its impact on traffic, trash collection and parking.
Smallwood purchased 199 Broad St. in 2012 and 205 Broad St. in 2023. The houses were built in 1904 and 1895, respectively. Smallwood spent years renovating the properties after finding them in “horrific shape,” earning an award from the Red Bank Historic Preservation Commission in the process.
See redbankgreen‘s 2014 story on the extensive renovation of 199 Broad here.
The planned bridge between them is meant to serve as an open-floor conference room for Smallwood’s business – Smallwood Wealth Management – which is based at 199 Broad St.
Project planners believe that the bridge hearkens back to the house’s historical roots.
“It’s to be representative of a porte cochère or something you might have seen in older Victorian homes,” architect Anastasia Harrison said.
As for 205 Broad St., Smallwood plans to lease some of its offices out to businesses looking for smaller workspaces and have fewer in-person interactions.
“Most people are tired of being stuck [working] in their home all day and want to go out to a nice place,” Smallwood said. “So we’re envisioning smaller, low density-type businesses occupying [the space].”
Behind the two buildings, Smallwood wants to build a three-story “carriage house” structure that would contain six small apartments alongside six car garages.
These apartments would also take on the Victorian look of the other structures on the property, a detail which Smallwood feels will give them a certain charm.
“We think it’ll appeal to people because there’s a relatively nice look and feel to it,” he said. “You’re going back in time.”
The new structures will also come with additional parking, with the number of spaces on the lot growing to 34, including nine proposed electric vehicle spaces.
While borough ordinances require the property to have at least 56 spaces, Smallwood asked the Zoning Board to grant them a variance to allow for the gap.
Additionally, at least 75 spaces will be available on Broad Street near the building during peak hours, according to traffic engineer John McCormack.
Smallwood hopes the expanded parking will attract more people and bring this part of town closer to the “community.”
“Most people don’t want to go into downtown Red Bank because they fear parking,” he said. “There’s plenty of parking [here], and people love to come.”
Despite the addition of new businesses and homes, project leaders believe that the impact on traffic will be minimal.
“There’s going to be an added car here and there, but when you look at the numbers, it’s insignificant,” McCormack said.
Despite this, some nearby residents still fear an increase in cars in the area.
“Will these overflow vehicles go to streets like Waverly [or] Hudson? I don’t know,” Hudson Avenue resident William Hartigan said. Waverly and Hudson are both streets adjacent to Broad St.
Other nearby residents questioned the project at the meeting, raising concerns about traffic, parking, garbage collection and more.
Asked whether he should have reached out to neighbors to discuss the additions to the properties, Smallwood said it was something that he “should have done,” but, “did not do at this time.”
No vote was taken on the application with the hearing scheduled to continue at the board’s August 20 meeting.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
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