Route 9 Dwelling To Be Converted Into Office Building

A dwelling on Route 9 will now be converted into an office building after the Planning Board approved the application for EES Cosmetic Solutions.

The one and one-half story, 1,400 square foot building is located at 111 North Main Street in Forked River and is a narrow t-shaped lot on half an acre.

after the Planning Board had an issue with the handicap parking space which was to extend three-feet into the driveway off Route 9, posing danger and poor accessibility, Board Engineer Bruce Jacobs said.

Two phases were originally proposed as well. During phase one, construction would include a one-way driveway from Route 9 and another from Jones Road, seven parking spots including a handicap space, a handicap ramp, and storm drainage.

Phase two would consist of the construction of a one story, 749 foot, addition with eight additional parking spaces and additional lighting improvements. This phase would increase the size of the building to 2,800 square feet on a 50-foot lot, which was unrealistic, Mayor Gary Quinn said.

Phase two was temporarily eliminated and the applicant relocated the handicap parking and ramp to the rear of the building.

With only three to five employees expected to work in the office, there would be no substantial increase in traffic, project engineer Mike Avila said.

There is also a potential for a cross-access driveway that would lead from the back of the office building’s lot to the dwellings north.

“It would benefit all the property owners if they pursue that,” John Curtin, member of the Planning Board said.

The owner of the two homes north of the proposed office building is also seeking to convert the dwellings into commercial properties, Quinn said.

“This is what the town likes to see,” Quinn said. Because these buildings are located in a congested area on Route 9, they are unable to have an entrance and exit out front. A cross access road would make traffic in the parking lots more manageable, he said.

Scott Lepley owns the two properties north of the office building and was hoping the applicant could meet an agreement to develop a cross-access road in the future.

Converting the dwelling into an office building does not bother Lepley, he said.

“I bought my two homes with the intention of developing them into offices. I think that’s what needs to happen. Nobody wants to live on Route 9,” Lepley said.

The applicant has until June 1, 2012 to complete the project.