Lakewood approves taller building heights near parkway
LAKEWOOD – Citing fire safety concerns, Township Committee voted this week to allow buildings up to 75 feet tall in one section of the township instead of the 150-foot height originally proposed.
“At this point in time, I do not believe that the (fire) department feels they are 100% ready to handle a building that’s 150 feet or ten stories tall,” Mayor Ray Coles said Thursday.
Currently, most structures in the township are under 35 feet tall with some exceptions such as planned educational campuses and dormitories, which can be up to 65 feet. The zone where the Jersey Shore BlueClaws Stadium sits allows buildings to reach a 75 feet height.
Under the ordinance passed Thursday night, a portion of currently undeveloped land to the east of the Garden State Parkway, which is designated as a limited professional service zone, and bordering Brick Township can now house office buildings up to the new height.
The zoning change was introduced by the Township Committee after the Lakewood Industrial Commission asked for the changes in anticipation of the sale of the property to Divonne Equity Group, a developer seeking to build an office building.
But now prospective developers will only be able to build up to 75 feet.
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The 150-foot plan alarmed fire officials given the township's limited firefighting capabilities.
Fire Commissioner Harrison Pfeffer noted that the township already has a personnel problem without the added stress of providing coverage for taller buildings.
Fire Commissioner Larry Loigman said that the township’s fire district budget could not accommodate the costs of the equipment and staff needed to respond to emergencies in a 150-foot tall building.
Loigman, who was very vocal about the issue, is facing a formal admonishment from the commission because he raised those concerns in a letter on Board of Fire Commissioners letterhead without the consent of the other commissioners.
According to the admonishment letter from the commission, “On March 5, 2023, Commissioner Loigman submitted a letter to the Township Manager laying out his fiscal concerns with such development as it pertains to fire protection within the Township. The letter was written on BOFC letterhead and signed by Commissioner Loigman in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the BOFC."
It continues, “The letter did not indicate that some members of the BOFC disagreed with him, or that he was only representing his own personal views."
Loigman told the Press that he has freedom of speech and that making recommendations regarding fire policies and planning is part of his job.
The admonishment decision was tabled for the next Board of Fire Commissioner's meeting.
Juan Carlos Castillo is a reporter covering everything Lakewood. He delves into politics, social issues and human-interest stories. Reach out to him at JcCastillo@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lakewood NJ to allow building heights of 75 feet east of parkway
