68 Townhouses Approved For Lacey, Despite Traffic Concerns

LACEY, NJ — Despite objections from residents and board members, the Lacey Planning Board approved a proposal for 68 new townhouses off Route 9 at the Monday evening meeting.

Previously known as Dream Homes, the project is now under the name Lacey Pines, LLC. The townhouses will be built off Route 9 and south of Lakeside Drive.

The project had previously received preliminary approval, but Forked River developer Vincent Simonelli had to get Department of Transportation and Department of Environmental Protection approval for it.

The DOT approved a left turn out of the development onto Route 9, which stunned residents and some of the board as well.

"I'm sure they're going to regret it because there will be accidents," said Board Member James Letellier, citing existing accidents that have occurred in the area.

Resident Ricardo Pimenta said that he was familiar with those accidents, as he was rear-ended nearby on Route 9, in front of Mario's. He was injured as a result, "and that was in regular traffic," he said.

Board members asked the developer to contact the DOT about not allowing the left turn out, which they said they could request but there was no guarantee.

The most obvious solution, said Board Member Al Nappi, was to widen Route 9. But the township has tried repeatedly to get the state road widened to no avail, so it was not likely, he said.

Mayor Mark Dykoff, also a Planning Board member, said that he had been meeting with Rep. Chris Smith to try and get infrastructure money for Route 9.

Dykoff admitted to wanting to deny the project, but was unable as the project's attorney had said he would bring it to court if it was denied, which would waste the township's money, he said.

With some reluctant yeses, the project was approved (Latellier voted no), with the stipulations that the developers would contact the DOT to disallow the left turn out, among others.