The Brick Township Zoning Board of Adjustment on Wednesday night denied a property owner’s application to build a nine-structure, 175-unit complex of single-story self-storage buildings that were proposed to be built on an open swath of land situated between two residential streets.
An open parcel of land where a self-storage facility was proposed. (Photo: Shorebeat)
The controversial application had its third hearing Wednesday night, lasting more than four hours before a vote was taken. Five out of seven board members voted in favor of a motion to deny the application made by Del Prete Construction to build the facility at 345 Drum Point Road. The property is located in the township’s “Village Zone,” which allows mixed commercial uses along several main roads in the township, but does not include self-storage facilities.
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The location represented the sole issue that generated objections to the plan. The facility would have been built on an oddly-shaped lot that is long and skinny. No roads run on either side of the parcel of land, and it would directly back up to the backyards of homes on two streets – Huppert Drive and Leswing Drive.
Representatives for Del Prete told board members residents would be shielded from any impacts from the storage facility since it would be locked at night, produce no light, the storage units would not be plumbed or powered, and each would stand just 14-feet tall with a fence and tree buffer surrounding the property.
A sizable group of residents disagreed, saying their property values would be negatively affected and expressing fear that the facility could produce noise, invite bad actors to the neighborhood and would simply not fit in with the surrounding neighborhood. The architect of the facility, Dan Governale, testified that the buildings were designed to look as residential in nature as possible, however the residents disagreed.
“Our traffic consultant testified that this is one of the lowest-intensity traffic impacts that could be contemplated,” said attorney John Jackson, representing Del Prete. “They will have a very low visual impact and we will have extensive landscape buffering.”
Board members and professionals did agree that the facility would have a minimal traffic impact, but worried about the shape of the lot and how it could represent a fire risk. A single road would run between the nine small storage units, which could be blocked by a vehicle. There was no U-turn at the end of the road, but instead a “T” shaped piece of pavement where fire trucks and emergency vehicles could make a K-turn to avoid backing out of the property. Though the township’s fire bureau did not formally object to the project, it did send the board a letter, notifying members of concerns over the space issue.
An open parcel of land where a self-storage facility was proposed. (Photo: Shorebeat)
A proposed self-storage facility at 345 Drum Point Road, Brick, N.J. (Credit: Planning Document)
John Taikina, a planner consulting on the project, argued it would have been in the best interests of the community to support the facility, since most other commercial uses that could be built there would be more traffic-intensive.
“He has done everything on this project to make it on a lower scale, lower intensity,” said Taikina, of the owner. “These are buildings that are residential in character at one story, with substantial landscaping surrounding the property. And as we’ve heard, this is the lowest possible traffic generator you could possibly put on this property. It’s the definition of a quiet neighbor you’re not going to have to worry about.”
Neighboring homeowners vehemently disagreed.
“It’s not stimulating the neighborhood,” said resident Jessica Decker. “I wouldn’t have bought my house four years ago if that was there. I would’ve moved somewhere else.”
“I think it is unprecedented that they put a business in the middle of a neighborhood,” said fellow resident Amelia Bruszewski. “It’s simply feet from our backyard. I think this town made good laws to protect the little guy – we don’t have the money to hire high-powered attorneys.”
Bruszewski even suggested the township buy the lot and keep it as open space or a park.
An open parcel of land where a self-storage facility was proposed. (Photo: Shorebeat)
A proposed self-storage facility at 345 Drum Point Road, Brick, N.J. (Credit: Planning Document)
“It’s not something you want in a community,” another woman who identified herself as a 40-year resident said. “We’re all comfortable in the neighborhood, and I really feel like it would make a huge change, and the property values would not be pleasant. It would be a heartbreak if something happened to that community.”
There was never a motion to approve the application – only a motion to deny it, brought by board member Eileen Della Volle. Two board members said they disagreed with the denial because permitted uses in the same zone could end up being more of a disruption to neighbors. Most board members cited fire concerns and the proximity to residential property as their reasoning for voting to deny the approval.
“I think the proposal is intrusive into an established residential neighborhood,” said Board Chairman David Chadwick.
