RED BANK: HABCORE EXPANSION APPROVED

HABcore plans to add a four-apartment addition to the rear of the two-family home it owns at 119 River Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank-based nonprofit housing provider HABcore won approval Thursday night for an expansion plan that would triple the size of a home it owns on the West Side.

The zoning board unanimously OKd the plan to add four apartments to what’s now a two-family house on River Street after several borough residents spoke in favor of it and no objections were raised.

June 8, 2018 - 7:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: CORNER PROJECT ‘TOO BIG’

The two buildings on the northeast corner of West Front Street and Maple Avenue would be replaced under Mark Forman’s plan. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s planning board asked the developer of proposed commercial and residential building at a key corner downtown to make it smaller Wednesday night.

June 5, 2018 - 7:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LUXURY UNITS, OFFICE PLANNED

The building at the corner of West Front Street and Maple Avenue, and the one next door would be razed for redevelopment. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

A developer has plans to transform a high-profile corner on the edge of downtown Red Bank into ground-floor offices topped by luxury housing, redbankgreen has learned.

Dubbed ‘Rivermark,’ the project would replace two vacant and crumbling buildings that builder Mark Forman said make for a “really terrible” gateway into the the business district.

May 3, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: HABCORE PLAN FACES HURDLES

HABcore hopes to win approval to build a four-apartment addition to the rear of the two-family home it owns at 119 River Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

A nonprofit housing organization’s proposed expansion of a house it owns on Red Bank’s West Side ran into some resistance at the zoning board last week.

While board members agreed that HABcore’s plan to add four apartments to what’s now a two-family house on River Street is “inherently beneficial” as defined by zoning law, at least one board member expressed concern that it would result in “a huge building for this neighborhood.”

April 24, 2018 - 10:20 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENT PROJECT BEGINS

A decade after a nursing home was demolished there, site work has begun on an empty lot near the heart of downtown Red Bank.

What’s Going On Here? Click ‘read more’ to find out. (Photo by John T. Ward.. Click to enlarge)

December 27, 2017 - 8:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: GARAGE CONVERSION NIXED

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank homeowners who long to transform their garages into living space: take note. The borough zoning board summarily nixed a plan to convert a garage behind a Maple Avenue office building into a single-family home Thursday night.

November 3, 2017 - 10:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: HABCORE APARTMENTS ON AGENDA

On the Red Bank zoning board agenda for Thursday night: a proposal to convert a two-family home on River Street to a six-unit apartment building.

November 2, 2017 - 6:39 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PARKER OFFICE TO GET NEW LIFE

A rendering shows the proposed look of 175 Shrewsbury Avenue as seen along East Leonard Street, at top, and from Shrewsbury Avenue. (Rendering by Michael Monroe. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

After years of neglect, the longtime office of beloved father-and-son Red Bank physicians, Drs. James Parker Sr. and Jr., was cleared for rehabilitation by the zoning board Thursday night.

October 19, 2017 - 9:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENTS, RETAIL ON AGENDA

The boarded-up house at 175 Shrewsbury Avenue would get first-floor retail space if the owner’s plan is approved. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

[UPDATE: The October 5 zoning board meeting on these two applications has been cancelled.]

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s zoning board is scheduled to hear proposals for two West Side properties Thursday night.

One would revive a boarded-up house on Shrewsbury Avenue, and the other would add four apartments to what’s now a two-family house on River Street.

October 5, 2017 - 6:51 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: ‘RAILS’ PROJECT GETS ROLLING

A former warehouse and taxi stand alongside the Red Bank railroad station was torn down last week.

What’s Going On Here? Click the read more for the answer, and some renderings of what’s coming down the rails. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Renderings by Monteforte Architectural Studio. Click to enlarge.)

Read More »

September 27, 2017 - 1:30 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: STATION APARTMENTS OK’D

Architect Nelson Benavides discussing plans for 170 Monmouth Street, seen in in two renderings from the west. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

A plan to turn a five-story office building opposite the Red Bank train station into rental apartments cleared its first hurdle at the borough zoning board Thursday night.

July 21, 2017 - 7:25 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENTS ON ZONING AGENDA

A plan by a Jersey City-based developer to convert a five-story Red Bank office building to apartments, and add 16 units, is on Thursday night’s zoning board agenda. See redbankgreen‘s earlier reporting here.

Read More »

July 20, 2017 - 7:15 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: STATION APARTMENTS PLANNED

A builder’s proposal calls for converting four floors of the five-story building to apartments, plus an addition with 16 more units, directly across Monmouth Street from the borough train station. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

One of Red Bank’s more prominent office buildings would be converted to apartments — and get new ones out back — under a proposal by a Jersey City-based developer, redbankgreen has learned.

July 11, 2017 - 10:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: ZONING SHORTCUT TO GET DO-OVER

Maps showing a potential new “area in need of rehabilitation” as proposed last July, at left, and amended this week, at right. (Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

A push to make the redevelopment of “underutilized” Red Bank properties easier returned to the spotlight Wednesday night, 10 months after it abruptly appeared and quietly vanished.

May 11, 2017 - 9:19 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LAUNDROMAT & APARTMENTS OK’D

The new structure would be built between a six-unit apartment building, at left, and Juanito’s Market, at right, with all three properties sharing parking in back. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

The Red Bank zoning board approved the creation of a new laundromat and four apartments on a vacant Shrewsbury Avenue lot Thursday night.

But before the project can get underway, grocer and restaurateur Juan Torres will have to reduce a possible tab for water and sewer hookups that could total $562,000.

March 17, 2017 - 6:09 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: DOWNTOWN APARTMENTS OK’D

Mayor Pasquale Menna explains his vote to approve the project, a rendering of which is seen on a computer screen in the foreground. At left is board Engineer Ed Herrman. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

A proposed 35-unit apartment building in downtown Red Bank won unanimous planning board approval Monday night.

First, however, several critics, including two board members, took parting shots at a process that kept the controversial plan alive for a year after it was rejected by the zoning board.

March 6, 2017 - 9:37 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENTS & EATERY ON DECK

Up for review at Monday night’s meeting of the Red Bank planning board: the Element, seen above, a 35-unit apartment complex proposed for a vacant lot at 55 West Front Street, opposite Riverside Gardens Park. The controversy-stirring plan could go to a final up-or-down vote.

Also scheduled: a proposed makeover for 26 West Front Street, right, last operated as Caliente Cantina, and not long before that, 10th Ave. Burrito Co. The plan calls for the addition of a 1,000-square-foot outdoor deck with views of the Navesink River. Here’s more info about the plan.

And here’s the full agenda for the meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. at borough hall, 90 Monmouth Street. (Renderings by Rotwein + Blake, above, and Cahill Studio, right. Click to enlarge)

March 6, 2017 - 5:40 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PLAN PANNED FOR LOOKS, PARKING

An architect’s depiction of the Element, as seen from the north side side of West Front Street. (Rendering by Rotwein + Blake. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

A new round of hearings on the Element, a proposed 35-unit apartment building in downtown Red Bank, began Wednesday night with concerns raised about parking adequacy and aesthetics.

Mayor Pasquale Menna called the appearance of the structure “bulky and not very inviting,” while several residents challenged a traffic consultant’s claim that the project’s on-site parking was sufficient.

February 23, 2017 - 7:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENT PLAN RETURNS

A view of the proposed project, as seen from the opposite side of West Front Street. (Rendering by Rotwein + Blake. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

After several months of dormancy, one of Red Bank’s more hotly disputed land-use proposals is expected to return next week.

The owners of the vacant downtown lot at 55 West Front Street are scheduled to try once again to win approval for a 35-unit apartment building that the zoning board shot down almost a year ago, triggering a series of measures that split the borough council for much of the year.

February 17, 2017 - 12:59 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENT PLAN APPROVED

The upper two floors of the building, which have been vacant for years, will get two apartments each. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

HOT-TOPIC_03 A landmark Red Bank building’s upper two floors will be turned into spacious apartments under a plan approved by the borough zoning board Thursday night.

In a rarity in this parking-starved town, the change would reduce the demand for downtown spots, the building’s new owner told the board.

December 2, 2016 - 6:59 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LOT OWNERS CAN NOW TRY AGAIN

The vacant lot at 55 West Front Street, opposite Riverside Gardens Park. (Photo by Google. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Eight months after they were rejected by the Red Bank zoning board, the owners of a vacant lot in downtown Red Bank can now try again to win approval for a 35-unit apartment building on the site.

That’s the upshot of an ordinance adopted by the borough council Monday night after yet another tiebreaker vote by Mayor Pasquale Menna.

November 22, 2016 - 10:44 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: SIX-UNIT APARTMENT HOUSE OK’D

A six-unit, two-story apartment building proposed on the site of a garage at 205 South Pearl Street won approval from the Red Bank zoning board Thursday.

Read More »

October 21, 2016 - 7:55 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: STATION COMPLEX WINS APPROVAL

An architectural rendering shows the Oakland Street side of the proposed project, to be built on the present site of a taxi stand. The existing San Remo restaurant and vacant former Racioppi’s building are in the foreground. (Rendering by Monteforte Architectural Studio. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

An ambitious mixed-use project with 45 apartments and its own parking garage alongside the Red Bank train station won unanimous approval by the planning board Monday night.

Board members praised the plan, by Matawan-based Denholtz Associates, as one that fulfills the vision of the “train station overlay” zone to a tee.

“It seems to me the first project to really take advantage of that designation and be creative,” said board member and borough Administrator Stanley Sickels.

October 18, 2016 - 9:29 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: 5-4 BOARD VOTE ADVANCES PLAN

A Google Maps sky view of the vacant lot at 55 West Front Street, opposite Riverside Gardens Park. (Photo by Google. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

By a 5-4 vote, the Red Bank planning board advanced a proposed ordinance that would give a a thwarted developer another shot at building on a downtown lot.

The issue, concerning a former nursing home site at 55 West Street, prompted sharp disagreement among board members that mirrored divisions at recent council meetings, with proponents arguing the measure is needed to end a long vacancy and opponents calling it an “end-around” to a zoning board decision.

“It just stinks,” planning board member and former Councilman Art Murphy said of the measure.

October 18, 2016 - 7:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: APARTMENT PLANS TO BE HEARD

Two apartment projects — one next to the train station and the other in the heart of downtown — are scheduled to be heard by Red Bank land use regulators this week.

The first, by Denholtz Associates, would create a 45-unit mixed-use building with a parking garage extending from the taxi dispatch office on Oakland Street the office building shown above, on Chestnut Street.

The proposal is slated to be heard by the planning board tonight at 6:30 p.m. For more details, see redbankgreen‘s coverage from August, when the plan was filed. Read More »

October 17, 2016 - 12:29 pm | Comments ()

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RED BANK: HABCORE EXPANSION APPROVED

RED BANK: CORNER PROJECT ‘TOO BIG’

RED BANK: LUXURY UNITS, OFFICE PLANNED

RED BANK: HABCORE PLAN FACES HURDLES

RED BANK: APARTMENT PROJECT BEGINS

RED BANK: GARAGE CONVERSION NIXED

RED BANK: HABCORE APARTMENTS ON AGENDA

RED BANK: PARKER OFFICE TO GET NEW LIFE

RED BANK: APARTMENTS, RETAIL ON AGENDA

RED BANK: ‘RAILS’ PROJECT GETS ROLLING

RED BANK: STATION APARTMENTS OK’D

RED BANK: APARTMENTS ON ZONING AGENDA

RED BANK: STATION APARTMENTS PLANNED

RED BANK: ZONING SHORTCUT TO GET DO-OVER

RED BANK: LAUNDROMAT & APARTMENTS OK’D

RED BANK: DOWNTOWN APARTMENTS OK’D

RED BANK: APARTMENTS & EATERY ON DECK

RED BANK: PLAN PANNED FOR LOOKS, PARKING

RED BANK: APARTMENT PLAN RETURNS

RED BANK: APARTMENT PLAN APPROVED

RED BANK: LOT OWNERS CAN NOW TRY AGAIN

RED BANK: SIX-UNIT APARTMENT HOUSE OK’D

RED BANK: STATION COMPLEX WINS APPROVAL

RED BANK: 5-4 BOARD VOTE ADVANCES PLAN

RED BANK: APARTMENT PLANS TO BE HEARD