Changes To Luxury Apartments, Retail Development In Barnegat Approved

BARNEGAT, NJ — The Barnegat Planning Board approved changes to a project that would bring 183 residences, retail, restaurants and more to Route 9.

The Lofts at Barnegat, developed by M&T at Barnegat, LLC, consists of 147 luxury apartments, 36 townhouses, 30,000 square feet of retail space and 8,000 square feet of restaurant space.

There will also be a pool, clubhouse, cabana and maintenance building. Other amenities, such as a small dog park or run, will be decided later as consumer wants could change.

The project was approved in 2017 and 2019, but came before the board again to remove self-storage on top of the buildings and add three apartments.

Changes also include aboveground stormwater basins and porous pavements. The buildings will also comply with Barnegat's requirements that buildings be maximum 48-feet high.

Concerns were voiced by members of the Planning Board regarding traffic, as there is an entrance and exit on Route 9. However, residents would be encouraged to use the rear entrance on Old Main Shore Road which would help, according to officials, along with a restriction on how many cars residents could have.

The property has been cleared, but construction has not begun. The website for the Lofts still says "opening spring 2021."