Hazlet Planning Board Approves Poole Avenue Development

Article by Anastasia Millicker

------

The Hazlet Township Planning Board approved the new Elegant Properties LLC property application Thursday evening.

After years of testimony and planning, Elegant Properties LLC went back to the drawing board and presented a new plan for the 780 Poole Avenue property.

New site plans include reducing initial stacked housing units to 44 housing units, which would be included in four three-story buildings. Of those units six would be affordable housing units,  said William Lane, licensed engineer for Elegant Properties LLC. These affordable living units would be rentals.

The remaining 38 market-rate units would be 19 two-bedroom homes and 19 three-bedroom homes. Other additions to the property include a playground area for tots, a walkway and picnic area.

Several board members expressed concerns about rainwater and waste management.

Members of the governing body cited issues regarding garbage can storage, stating that the large cans would be an inconvenience to homeowners because they cannot be stored in the streets and that they were shown to be “tight” in the garages.  

“We basically have shown what the code has asked us to show, six square feet for trash; however I’m sure that we can adjust the plan to make for a larger space,” said Roger Charles Winkle, a licensed architect with Elegant Properties LLC. Winkle assured that there is ample room to move garbage cans in and out.

Board Member Gregory Vella suggested a condition upon approval to expand the garage to accommodate the township’s garbage cans to better accommodate homeowners.

While the building plan eliminates four units, developers were unable to relocate the retention basin. The basin would have an overflow system, which would run water onto Poole Avenue; however, board members were concerned that if the basin fails, the single residential property abutting the property would be flooded. As part of the approval, the developer will have to install a township engineer-approved synthetic liner for the retention pool basin.