Pleasant Plains Apartment Complex Proposal Brings Traffic Concerns

Residents expressed concerns that a proposed Pleasant Plains apartment complex with frontage off of Route 9 will bring further traffic congestion to an already crowded area.

Another Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing for the 252-unit complex, which is proposed for the southeast corner of Route 9 and Whitty Road near Wallach's Farm Market and Deli, was held last week after a public notice error halted an initial hearing last month. No board action has been taken on the plan yet, as testimony will continue in June. 

Rosemary Terzi, who lives on the nearby Wallach Drive, told the project engineer that she is concerned Route 9 is already hampered by traffic without hundreds of people moving in off the highway.

"What you stated about the traffic is certainly true. We all know what it's like out there," said project engineer Robert Romano in response. 

But just because other developers built first in the area shouldn't mean that the applicant is not allowed to utilize their property, Romano said.

The plans for the complex calls for 12 buildings with 21 units each, and 20 percent will be affordable housing as required by the state. A variance for the complex is required because the area's zoning requires that developments include half residential and half commercial use.

Applicant attorney John Paul Doyle has said that, with several shopping plazas already nearby, there is no need for the commercial aspect at this location. 

"We think there is a proven need for housing in the way we want to build," he said when the application was initially introduced.

Aside from the zoning variance, the complex complies with the township ordinance for a development of this type, according to the applicant. The plan is to leave 30 percent forested land on the property untouched and add 600 new trees.

"There is a need for good, quality apartments like this applicant wants to build," Doyle said.

Doyle said that, if the applicant developed the property with 50 percent commercial and 50 percent residential, traffic likely would be worse than with the proposed 100 percent residential complex.

"The access isn't that good and commercial use on this site would gen a lot more traffic than a residential use," Romano said.

Zoning Board Chairwoman Linda Stefanik asked Romano if Dugan Lane access is necessary for the project, as it also has two other access points. Having access on Dugan Lane is a concern for some nearby, since they worry it could encourage drivers traveling in the area to use that road and the proposed complex's streets as shortcuts. 

"Our thought on this is that, if there is a problem on the site like a fire, we would like those three accesses," Romano said, though he added the plan could be revised. 

The site could accommodate up to an 80,000 square foot big box store, but several corporations that once considered developing there have abandoned plans because of the site's shortcomings. 

"There's no demand for space on that highway as it is," said applicant witness real estate appraiser Anthony Graziano.

Graziano said that, based on apartment rental data in Ocean County, Toms River is in need of a complex like the one proposed.

"This whole market is dominated by single-family housing," he said. "There's clearly a need for multifamily housing and the population is growing."

The public notice error discovered at the last meeting was properly corrected, though the application still includes the incorrect address. Doyle said that will be amended and corrected. 

"I think all the confusion is gone," Doyle said. 

Board attorney Kim Pascarella said that he reviewed the public notice and it appeared to be "sufficient," adding that a street address is not necessary on notice when lot and block numbers are present. 

The application is bifurcated, meaning if the use variance is approved, the applicant still would return for preliminary and final approval, Doyle said.

The application will next be heard during the board's June 13 meeting, when traffic, environmental and planning experts are expected to give testimony.