LAKEWOOD, NJ – Traffic in the area of New Hampshire Avenue between Locust Street and Route 70 is about to get worse. That news comes as a developer is planning to build a shopping near the busy Lakewood-Toms River border.
Originally reported by FAA News, out of Lakewood, the 24,000 square foot plaza will have 14 retail stores and 128 parking spaces with access to the plaza from New Hampshire Avenue.
The plaza is permitted under current zoning regulations.
The developer is, however, seeking a variance as the 1.95-acre lot falls short of the two-acre minimum to build. Red Porch Holdings is also seeking a variance to move the 100 foot required set back to just 84 feet.
The plaza is adjacent to another project where 130 duplex homes are being constructed.
FAA News noted that the Lakewood Planning Board granted the residential developer a waiver not to build sidewalks.
“All these homes will be walking distance to this newly proposed shopping center; however, unfortunately, years ago the Planning Board granted that developer a waiver from installing sidewalks along their main roads, so it will be unsafe and very impractical for those residents to walk to this shopping center,” FAA News reported.