New Vote Held On Tallwoods Way Variance In Berkeley

BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township Zoning Board of Adjustment held a new vote on an application to subdivide a Tallwoods Way property, after the previous found was found to be ineligible.

Wednesday's meeting was significantly less packed than the April meeting, where dozens of residents spoke out against allowing the use variance. The developers, La Pierre, LLC, were seeking to subdivide the property and obtain a variance to allow multi-family dwellings, with the ultimate goal of constructing a 24-unit apartment complex. Read more: Neighbors Oppose 24-Unit Apartment Complex In Berkeley

At that previous meeting, the variance was denied. But a new vote was held at the May meeting as the prior vote was "ineligible," board attorney Alexander Pavliv said. And during this new vote, the use variance and subdivision was approved.

Board member William McGrath explained why he voted "no" at the April meeting.

"I don't feel that it's an inherently beneficial use to the community as a whole," McGrath said of constructing an apartment complex.

"There's no room for recreation, either passive or active, and there's no parks nearby," he said.

The proposal was bifurcated, meaning that the developers will return at a later date for site plan approval. There are no confirmed plans for the complex as of yet. And Chairman Richard Elliott insisted that when they return for further approval, residents will have all of their concerns addressed.