Hooper Ave. Retail Space Approved for Subdivisions
Chipotle and Jersey Mikes among businesses planned for the space
Photos
Toms River planners have approved a plan to subdivide a Hooper Avenue retail space, provided the applicant construct no more than three units in the building.
The plan by applicant Toms River Equities for a use variance to divide the former home of Coconuts Music and Movies at 1258 Hooper Ave. first came before the township's Planning Board in early December. At the time, board members expressed concern that the single space across from the Ocean County Mall could become a strip mall.
"I just don't see this building working divided into two or three units, or five units," board Chairman Bill Suchodolski said at the time.
The applicant returned in mid-December and proposed that no more than four tenants will occupy the space. A counter proposal of three units was made by the board and accepted by board members, according to the resolution outlining the approval passed by the board on Jan. 16.
A Jersey Mike's Subs and a Chipotle Mexican Grill are planned for two of the spaces; it remains unclear what will occupy the third or when construction will begin to retrofit the building.
Under the three-unit plan for the 14,568 square foot building, one space will be 3,648 square feet and the remaining two must comply with the 5,000 square foot minimum space requirement set by ordinance, according to the resolution.
During his first appearance before the board in December, applicant planner Brett Skapinetz contended that the space has adequate parking and would not resemble a strip mall. Further, finding one retailer to occupy the one space, which has been vacant for about two years, would be more difficult than attracting several smaller businesses, he said.
"There are fewer tenants than there used to be in that mid-size range," Skapinetz said at the time. "If it's multi-tenant, it doesn't become a strip center. It's the same building that's already there. All of the characteristics of the neighborhood stay the same."
Martin
9:07 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I'm betting the third space will be another pizzeria or nail salon.
mjmjr
9:20 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
DID WE GET A NEW PLANNING BOARD,THEY USE THERE BRAINS THIS TIME.WHAT AN IMPROVEMENT,THEY REALLY WANT BUSINESS.
DaveL
9:36 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Thankfully this was approved! That building and the old Sleepy's next to it are eyesores. Finally some new businesses! Now if we could do something with that old Sleepy's building- that would be great.
Mitch Mitchell
11:42 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
How about a Golden Coral?
iamdph
1:14 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Golden Coral is money, that would be amazing but I doubt it would happen. Why not just put a golden corral where the old Old Country Buffet was I would think it would be perfect size o well we can dream
letsgetreal
11:46 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
A smart decision....finally the board got it right. Rateable s is what this town needs and plenty of them!
Joseph A. Lypowy
12:42 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
The owners of the property should be able to divide the property in any way they seem fit to meet the needs of the market, not centralized statist planning. Strip Malls provide opportunity for small business and easy access for traffic.
Tonysoprano_62
12:50 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Is it true that the flood insurance premium for non-compliance or not raising your house above the new ABFE'S can be increased to 30 to 50K annually?
This was the information I was quoted when I called the Toms River building/construction department to inquire. We need to get together folks. Otherwise it's turn out the lights for the middle class in Toms River.
Bailey
2:50 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Wrong board for that, Tony...
Once Loved NJ
3:45 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Can't we get something UNIQUE in TR?? Why only chains??
Once Loved NJ
3:45 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Can't we get something UNIQUE in TR?? Why only chains??
I have spoken
5:39 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Not impressed with either Jersey Mike's Subs and a Chipotle Mexican Grill ans there is NOT enough parking there whatsoever. But obviously whomever made this decision is not too intelligent. I will not go anywhere I'm going to have my car dinged at.
letsgetreal
5:48 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Really...come on get real...
Yea I would rather see a rateable be turned away so Property taxes can continue to rise. Without businesses in your community property taxes will increase dramatically. Support and welcome any business that wants to come to TR.
@ Once Loved NJ....I understand what you are saying but Chains are the only food business that can afford the insanely high prices liquor licenses in Toms River. I am just glad its not going to sit vacant, we have enough of those vacancies all over this town.
JD
6:54 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
letsgetreal,
TR gets property taxes from the owner of the building whether it is occupied or not!!!
Doubtful there was any change in taxes TR collected whether empty, 1 tenant or 3 tenants. It would have to go through reassessment.
I have spoken
8:39 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
@JD
Obviously letsgetreal doesn't understand property taxes. She's hoping one of these lowwww pay job are in the bag for her. Not worth dinging my car to patronize either of these businesses. There is very little parking there.
mjmjr
8:55 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
plenty of parking,that not even the question,you should walk.
g
6:45 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
they should put love shack 2 there and a liquor store and a pawn shop and a massage parlor
Rick Molinia
7:35 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
chipotle..YES YES YES
marcy
9:21 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Hey, at least it's not another tattoo parlor or fortune teller!! I give up on ever getting a Trader Joe's for Toms River sometime in my lifetime!!
bob
9:22 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
any chance we can get rutts hutt to open there
Mads mom
9:42 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Trader Joe's please!!!!
I have spoken
11:32 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
SHHHHHHH
I was hoping for the Trader Joe's in the old Foodtown on Fischer. I can't stand Shop Rite.
.
6:37 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
I can't stand Shop Rite either and I live right near it. I would love to see something like Trader Joe's in the old Foodtown spot! I have heard that Trader Joe's doesn't want to come to Toms River.
southpaw3140
11:28 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Leave it to the board. the control freaks put more companys/people out of work. perfect op to create jobs and they still have to have the last say. very aggravated at this town/behind the door politics. see how many buildings/buisnesses on 37 are empty due to this board. what happen to free enterprise. they need to bend alittle more.and stop holdin people up.
Mads mom
2:30 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
All us Trader Joe's fans know how much TJ's employees love their jobs. It would bring jobs to TR from a company that treats employees better that most. Besides hooper ave could use some healthy quality nutritional food stores instead of adding to the obesity epidemic w/ fat lunch meat sandwiches. How about a Guitar Center Too!
letsgetreal
7:06 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
@ JD
Apparently you do not know the difference...there is a different tax on Commercial than there is on Residential....
@ I have spoken..
Apparently since you Drive a FERRARI! i can understand why you would not want to get your car door dinged in such a small parking lot. I mean the mayhem that is going to be in the parking lot is going to be treacherous with the mad rush to get to Chiptole, my lord the HORROR of it all.....LOL
JD
12:16 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
You obviously don't know anything about property taxes.
Residential and Commercial have the same "tax rate". Total taxes paid equals assessment x tax rate.
TR could careless whether occupied or empty as they collect the same amount of property taxes.
Mr. ?
11:52 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
"At the time, board members expressed concern that the single space across from the Ocean County Mall could become a strip mall. " So on what land use law premiss did they use for that opinion? Was it denied then (no), or the PLB just giving the applicant an unsubstantiated hard time? And Trader Joe's in the old Foodtown? Nope. As was said, they will not come here. That site is polluted from a past dry cleaner. It may be listed as one of Toms Rivers secret 35 or so "Brown sites". What business wants to come to a place that made its growth by having pollution dumped here, with very few major arterial road ways (that is why they have gone to Brick) and a failure of the master plan - a Hodge podge of businesses thrown and scattered on 37 and Hooper with old business on route 9 - another failure- rt 9. TR should be rubber stamping approvals on every possible rateable they can find at this point. Property taxes are what they are, and yes paid even on vacant property, but vibrant business also produces state and fed taxes from business incomes that are supposed to provide aid subsidiaries back to the municipality. That said we are in trouble
letsgetreal
1:35 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Mr. ?
Now here is a guy who gets what I am trying to say...Nice post Mr. ?
JD seems to think businesses in TR don't provide tax revenues...only property tax...seems like he is the one that does not understand how taxes work. Businesses generate tax revenues way beyond the typical homeowner. Oh and they also produce jobs for people. Man people are never happy. And Mr. ? I agree Trader Joe's would be great but you know that someone on the PATCH, you know who they are. And they would complain! complain! complain! no doubt about something regarding Trader Joe's. LOL
JD
3:54 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
letsgetreal,
You are clueless.
Tax revenue goes to the state. Nothing to Toms River.
Sales Tax goes to the state.
Tax on profit of the business goes to the state and fed.
Taxes from employment go to state and fed.
TR only gets property taxes from commercial buildings. Duh!
Mr. ?
11:54 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
Forgot, if it was originally postponed due to to parking, no excuse in TR since alternate site parking is always used. Just ask about Mulligans approval on Hooper. Explain that one. Cant wait!
letsgetreal
1:29 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Mr. ?
Now he makes the point i am trying to make to JD everyone pays taxes based on land...YES but your house and my house have different taxes all together due to value of Structure included...hence...a vacant building does not bring taxes to the town, county and state as if it were occupied...come on JD stop looking for reasons to push away another business unless you think vacant buildings are a plus around here...hmmmm JD could you possibly have some self serving interest in a business that does not want competition?. TR needs to take a page from Brick when it comes to business development. Anyone who is sitting at home now worrying about there not being enough parking for cars in a lot that will not have any effect on their personal lives is insane. And if its so important to you (which I pray its not) then attend a Township meeting and voice your concern, but remember offer a solution not just a bitch.
JD
3:58 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Yes, that vacant building brings in property taxes to TR.
You are clueless.
I don't have a problem with subdividing to 3 units.
I'm just responding to your comments on how you don't know what you are talking about regarding taxes.
JD
3:58 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
Let me add... again... it brings in the same property taxes whether empty or occupied.
Geesh!
letsgetreal
8:41 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
JD,
Try to follow this common logic. We know the PROPERTY brings in taxes. We are trying to say that the business brings in additional revenues by way of Sales TAX and other revenues to the local, county, state, and fed Gov as well as JOBS. HELLO....
JD
9:16 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
You are clueless.
Go read what you initially wrote. Apparantly you are starting to get it but not quite there yet. All that you have described goes to state and fed. Nothing to local or county.
Minimum wage part-time jobs part-time produce very little if any state of fed taxes. The amount of cash in tips never hitting the books... not to mention revenue not hitting the books for restaurants, etc... and none of it goes to TR or county.
Michael reina
4:08 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
That was already a guiter store years ago and didnt do well.
letsgetreal
11:37 am on Saturday, January 19, 2013
JD
Your mental block of not understanding what I am saying has worn me out...I give up you figure it out....apparently you did not pay attention in school very well. Also any job in this town at this point or this state is GOOD how ignorant and selfish can you be. I got news for you TR is not getting any Small Cap business nor any BIG industry anytime soon so take what you get.
Besides that fact that I am arguing with what appears to be an IDIOT is really my downfall at this point. I say that with the utmost respect! Yeaaa
Speed Racer
2:01 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
5000 sq ft for a sub shop? they only need 2000. How are they going to make it? In any case, at least something is going there. Hooper is starting to look like Rt 37 with the empty buildings.
Staceaface
11:23 am on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Does anyone know if this is still in the works?