Monmouth University expansion? Long Branch OKs new district next door to campus

LONG BRANCH - Could Monmouth University be preparing to expand its campus?

After the city voted Wednesday to create a higher education overlay zone, called the MUO District, directly east of Monmouth's main campus in West Long Branch, the Asbury Park Press contacted the school. A university spokesperson then told the press that the school requested the zone to conform with its existing uses there now and to "allow flexibility for the university to plan for potential future use of the property that could include additional educational purposes."

City officials declined to say if the university had anything specific planned for the zone. If the university does, it will have to go before the city's Planning Board.

The MUO district is bounded by Norwood Avenue to the west, Cedar Avenue to the north, Van Court Avenue to the east and Kirby Avenue to the south. The area was previously zoned for residential uses and contains 29 lots, of which the great majority are single-family homes.

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The university's police department and Lauren K. Woods Theatre are presently located on two lots in the zone. Tara Peters, the university spokesperson, said the overlay zone will not affect homes there now, as they will continue to be a permitted use in the zone.

A few things that will not be allowed are dorms, residence halls, athletic facilities, and fraternity and sorority houses, as they have all been exclusively prohibited from the MUO District.

According to the city's ordinance, the intent of the zone is to promote "harmonious development," conducive of institutions of higher learning, with uses such as educational facilities, office, research, laboratories, incubator spaces, museums and open space much like a corporate research or business park.

The maximum building height in the zone is 40 feet, or two-and-a-half stories.

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When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Monmouth University expansion? Long Branch OKs new zone next to campus