The OceanFirst Bank branch on Chambers Bridge Road, Feb. 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
OceanFirst Bank has proposed tearing down an existing building on Chambers Bridge Road and Brick Boulevard, across from the Brick Plaza shopping center, and replacing it with a larger bank and multiple retail stores.
The bank, located at 321 Chambers Bridge Road, was built on three properties acquired by OceanFirst in the 1990s. Since then, the local bank has turned into a major regional bank and has expanded its presence in the Shore area. As part of the proposed project, the existing bank building would be demolished and replaced with a new, 4,150 square foot single-story bank building with four drive-through lanes. Beside the bank, a separate 4,400 square foot retail building would be constructed, which would contain two separate retail units.
The OceanFirst Bank branch on Chambers Bridge Road, Feb. 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
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No tenants or specific uses are proposed for the retail units. The property is located within the B3 zone.
The majority of the variances required for the project to come to fruition are routine “bulk” variances based on the odd shape of the parcel of land on which the bank sits. But there are two use variances requested, requiring a higher standard for approval. The first variance, known commonly as a D-1 variance (for its legal citation) would allow two different types of businesses to operate on a single lot. A D-3 variance must also be obtained. This type of variance is required when the township’s zoning code allows uses of certain properties under certain conditions. In this case, because the proposed property is technically a “shopping center,” it must comply with certain zoning criteria within the underlying business zone.
A hearing on the proposal will be heard March 2 and 7 p.m. before the Brick Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, at the township municipal complex on Chambers Bridge Road.
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