Red Bank OKs 20 condos near train station that wipe away Mexican restaurant, framing store

RED BANK - A four-story condominium across from Red Bank’s train station was approved unanimously Wednesday night by the borough planning board.

It would raze two houses on Oakland Street, the Mexican restaurant Mi Lupita’s Kitchen, a detached garage and a neighboring two-story building that currently houses 90 Degree Gallery on Bridge Avenue. The two buildings at the corner of Bridge Avenue and Oakland Street would not be part of the project.

The proposed building by American Opportunity Zone Fund LLC had previously faced criticism for being too dense during a November zoning board meeting.

Although the building is still four floors, the developer reduced the number of units from 32 to 20 units. Instead of apartments, the units would be condominiums, with all 20 being two-bedroom units. Two of the condominiums would be sold as affordable units.

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The proposed rooftop pickleball court was also removed after residents complained about the potential noise it could generate. In its place would be a green lawn with lounge areas.

The balconies for the units were also removed after concerns that the apartment building would tower over the two-story homes in the area.

The new proposal also includes a gym, a coffee shop and a commercial/retail space.

“I think in this instance, you see a real sense of compromise,” said the developer’s attorney, former Red Bank Mayor Ed McKenna.

The plan is located in the borough’s train station overlay zone, which is separate from the train station redevelopment plan and transit village designation. The borough’s train station overlay zone was created to encourage transit-oriented development.

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The condominium proposal includes 47 ground-floor parking spaces. Seven of those spaces would be located in front of the garage gate and be dedicated for guest or retail parking.

The board unanimously agreed to ask for the seven public parking spots to be removed for more green space.

Resident Wendy Giguere questioned the developer’s and the board’s claim that there is surplus parking in the area.

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“I think we need to change the narrative that parking is not a given right,” Megan Massey said. “This is supposed to be promoting walking and biking and access to transit.”

In voting for removing the extra parking spaces, board member Greg Fitzgerald called the move “karmic” due to the removal of the oldest tree on Oakland Street, which is located where the proposed garage would be.

The developer also agreed to provide spaces for bike parking and revise its ADA parking configuration.

Olivia Liu is a reporter covering transportation, Red Bank and western Monmouth County. She can be reached at oliu@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Red Bank OKs condos that knock down Mi Lupita's Mexican restaurant