Revised Downtown Development OK'd By Toms River Planning Board

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The long-awaited revision to a proposed downtown apartment complex on Water Street has been approved by the Toms River Planning Board.

The revised application by Meridia Toms River 40 Urban Renewal to amend the site plan for the development at the property on Water and Irons streets was presented Wednesday night to the board, five months after it was first announced. The board voted 6-0 to approve the revisions.

The Planning Board gave preliminary and final site plan approval on Dec. 15, 2021, for a project that would have included two 10-story towers as part of a mixed-use building. It would have had 285 residential apartment units (44 studios, 141 1-bedroom, 56 2-bedroon, 22 2-bedroom affordable, 1 3-bedroom and 21 3- bedroom affordable) as well as 16,485.57 square feet of retail space.

That proposal included 389 indoor parking stalls in a two-story enclosed parking deck and 22 exterior parking spaces, including 12 handicapped accessible spaces, and an outdoor amphitheater, an elevated boardwalk, loading areas, trash enclosure areas, retaining walls, lighting, and landscaping.

The amended plan approved Wednesday night includes 281 residential apartment units (53 studios, 145 1-bedroom, 38 2-bedroon, 22 2-bedroom affordable, 2 3-bedroom and 21 3- bedroom affordable) and 14,731 square feet of retail space.

There will be 389 indoor parking stalls in a two-story enclosed parking deck and 22 exterior parking spaces, with 11 handicapped accessible spaces instead of 12.

The outdoor amphitheater and an elevated boardwalk also would remain.

Variances sought included:

• Minimum building setback along West Water Street, a change that resulted from the inclusion of the Ocean County right-of-way that was not included in the prior plan. The ordinance requires 15 feet minimum; 4.1 feet was provided under the previous application but 1.5 feet is what is proposed under the amended plan, adjusting for the right-of-way.
• Minimum building step back. The redevelopment plan requires buildings be stepped back by 10 feet above heights of 40 feet, 80 feet and 120 feet respectively. The proposal is for 5-foot step backs along West Water Street and no step back along other street facades. "A variance was previously granted for 0 feet along all streets."
• Maximum building coverage is requested. The redevelopment plan permits 50 percent maximum, but the proposal is for 50.2 percent building coverage, 51.9 percent including overhangs and canopies.

The change to six stories from two 10-story towers was announced by Mayor Maurice "Mo" Hill in May during the debate preceding the Republican mayoral primary. Hill's announcement came as objections to the 10-story towers became a focal point in the primary campaign.

The announcement of the change did not sway voters, who chose Daniel Rodrick and his council slate as the Republican candidates for the general election.

The Township Council voted 5-2 in July, with Rodrick and Justin Lamb voting no after twice asking to table the resolution to approve the amendment to the agreement with the redeveloper, Capodaglia Property Company. Read more: Change In Downtown Redevelopment Plan Approved By Toms River Council