Galante gets OK after dropping townhouses
Residents 'cautiously happy' about outcome of Zoning Board case
BY MARY ANNE ROSS
Correspondent

An Old Bridge builder won approval to construct an office building on Route 516 last week, but only after he dropped controversial plans for 16 townhouses on the same site.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously granted preliminary approval to T. Galante Properties to build an 11,884-square-foot, two-story office building and a water retention basin on Angela Drive.

The Jan. 4 meeting was the fourth hearing on the Galante application, which originally called for both retail and office space, and age-restricted townhouses.

The 14-acre plot, which borders homes in the Whispering Pines development, is zoned for both commercial and residential use. A large portion is wetlands.

Nearby residents united to form Old Bridge Residents Against Angela Drive Proposed Development and have attended zoning board meetings to voice concerns about traffic, flooding and the environmental impact of the plans. They also gathered signatures on a petition and enlisted the support of state Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13), who visited the site with residents.

During last week's meeting, Galante changed the application so that the structure would be used solely for office space, and completely withdrew the residential portion.

"My client is extraordinarily disappointed that the residential component does not appear to meet with the favor of the board; however, he is not a foolish man," Galante's attorney, Jonathan Heilbrunn, told the board. "And he has instructed me without prejudice to withdraw the residential component of this application."

Builder Thomas Galante has said previously that the office building would likely house his own company's offices in part of the building, but he had not yet decided on other tenants.

The office building itself still required several variances from the board, including rezoning of a portion of the acreage from residential to commercial, as well as changes in setback requirements and the square footage of the building.

Board Vice Chairman Kiran Desai felt those requests were minor in nature, and that the project would be good for the town.

"We have an extra tax base, a few more jobs for people, and there would not be much of an increase in traffic," he said.

Some of the approximately 30 residents attending the meeting still expressed concerns. Elliot Rifkin, who lives in Whispering Pines, asked if the remaining property could be deed-restricted as open space to ensure that it will not be developed. His suggestion was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Board Attorney Lawrence Sachs, however, explained that the deed restriction was not something the board could require of the applicant.

"I still have concerns about flooding," said resident Greg Sterzel, who presented information from a federal Department of Agriculture soil survey that he said showed the soil area was the worst type for the development of a retention basin.

"It could also create nuisance species. I also have concerns about the garbage from the commercial building. How will that smell in the summer when we are out in our backyards," Sterzel asked.

Sterzel and several other residents also voiced concerns about the traffic and lack of sidewalks on Route 516.

John Colasante, whose brother was struck and killed by a car in 1986, was among those who spoke.

"You have numerous amounts of residential developments, commercial spaces, stores, fast-food places, nightclubs, three ballfields, the new YMCA and a funeral parlor. If you're going to increase traffic, please put in sidewalks or lights," he said.

Before board member Drake Pallister voted to approve the application, he reminded those in attendance that Galante will still have to obtain many permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection, the Middlesex County Planning Board and Freehold Soil Conservation.

"This is just the beginning of the process. Residents will have a lot of opportunity to come back and offer their feedback on various aspects of this application, such as the style of building and the lighting, Pallister said.

"As board members, we walk a fine line. I like to see three winners - the township, the residents and the applicants," he noted.

Sterzel said residents are "cautiously happy" about the compromise regarding the application.

"We are glad the residential portion has been dropped," he said. "We are going to keep an eye on the impact of the commercial development. And we would like to have the rest of the area designated as open space. Overall, though, I feel the zoning board has listened to the voice of the people and been responsive."