Zoning Board Insists on Sidewalks and Curbs at Laurel Oaks

According to the resolution adopted  at the Zoning Board meeting last night, Walters, a Barnegat-based developer, may start construction before sidewalks and curbs are put in. But no certificate of occupancy would be issued – and no residents allowed to move into the complex – until the sidewalks and curbing are in place.

The Township of Barnegat itself was the applicant, seeking a field change approval, according to zoning officials.

The township received use variance and site plan approval for the development back in May of last year, with the zoning board granting several other field changes since then, including a request for 14 fewer parking spaces and a picnic area at the site.

The Zoning Board considered the sidewalks and curbing issue in February and on March 14. The discussion was then carried over to last night’s meeting, when all five members who were present voted unanimously to uphold the sidewalks and curbs condition for occupancy.

Township Committeeman Leonard Morano was not present at the meeting last night, but did speak about the issue at last week’s committee meeting.

“I was speaking as a resident and not as the township committeeman,” Morano said. “Right across the street, at the animal clinic, when they were re-building there, a woman who was walking there was hit by a car about three years ago. So, it’s really a safety feature.”

“I am glad to see that the Zoning Board did come to an agreement for the safety of the children,” Morano added.

Township resident Jake Taylor spoke at the meeting, urging the board to insist on sidewalks and curbing.

“If you don’t force a developer to put sidewalks in, what happens, next year or so the township would end up having to put them in at our expense,” Taylor told Patch. “So now we’re going to have sidewalks and it won’t cost us anything. The board did a wonderful job. They acted in the best interest of everyone last night.”