Zoning board denies townhouse development Application would have built six townhouses along Metuchen Avenue BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE - More than 75 residents came to the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting last week to voice their opposition against Goodwin LLC's application to build six three-story townhouse units on Metuchen Avenue. "This monstrosity does not belong there," said resident Andrew Litkey. The board listened to the residents and unanimously voted 7-0 against the application at the board meeting March 6. "Inmy opinion, this application is a substantial detriment to the community," said board member Frank D'Arcio, who motioned to deny the application. "The positives of the application do not outweigh the negatives." Boardmember SamFonte seconded the motion. The vote brought applause fromthe residents who attended the meeting. The property at 173MetuchenAve. is in the office research [OR] zone and is an ir- regular tract containing two abutting lots totaling 23,267 square feet and containing two existing single-family dwellings and a detached three-car garage. The tract fronts Metuchen Avenue to the north and the Route 9 right of way to the east and is located in flood zone A. The applicant proposed to remove all improvements and construct six townhouse dwelling units at the site. All units would be attached via common-party walls and would be located in one three-story building. The first floor of each unit would contain a living room, den, and washer and dryer; the second floor would contain a dining and kitchen area; and the third floor would contain a master bedroom and two smaller bedrooms. No attic space was proposed. The applicant's architect, Gregory J. Waga, testified that the aesthetics of the town homes would be better for the existing site and help improve the appreciation of the neighborhood. Waga's comment brought laughter from the crowd. Each unit would contain approximately 3,200 square feet and contain a one-car garage and a one-car driveway. The lots will be consolidated into a single parcel and resubdivided to create six rectangular lots to facilitate fee simple sale of each townhouse unit on an individual lot. Four interior lots would be 25 feet wide by 120 feet deep. The two end units would be larger and would include the irregular additional lot areas remaining on the east and west sides of the parcel. The applicant's engineer and planner, Angelo Valetutto, testified that the town homes would be beneficial to the community because of increases in tax revenue and that the development in his opinion would not decrease property values in the area. "Even though there is no provision for people to rent these town homes, I am almost positive since these town homes would sell for approximately $400,000, these will be owner occupied," he said. However, resident William Zeliff reminded the board that the housing market was not doing well nationwide. "When I hear that [this development would increase] tax revenue, it makes my stomach turn because it only makes me think it will lead to eminent domain … which will lead to political problems.…It's good that the business wants to make money, but make money someplace else," Zeliff told the applicants. Other residents expressed that the town homes would bring additional traffic into the area, disturb the quality of life of their quiet neighborhood, and create a wall for neighbors bordering the development. They also disagreed on adequate parking on site. Valettuto tried to assure the residents that the proposed town homes were a better use thanmedical office space, which the area is zoned for. He pointed out that the town homes met the height requirements of the municipal land use laws of 35 feet and met the parking requirement of 14 spaces. Areportmade by Sgt. EricNelson of the Woodbridge Police Department cited that the police department recommended the Zoning Board deny the application because of the proposed inadequate parking. "Each home has three bedrooms and could easily house three adults, each having their own vehicle," Nelson wrote in his report to the board. The applicants proposed two-vehicle parking for each town home. Michael DiPietro, 13, told the board that he rides his bike and walks to school in the area. "I don't want the risk of getting run over," he said. "I also sleep well and I don't want to be woken up at 3 a.m. [because of this development]." DiPietro's father, Anthony, added that town homes do work in some areas, but not in their neighborhood.