Big Space
The Atlantic Highlands Planning Board is anticipating such a large turnout when it hears an application for another large apartment building next month they are seeking a date for a special meeting and a location that can accommodate a crowd larger than the borough hall can handle.
That was made known at June 1st’s of the planning board in which several applications were heard or continued, and it was announced the July meeting of the board is already filled to capacity.
Big Building
With an item on the agenda referring to PB 02-2023 and the need to find an off-site place to hear it, it wasn’t until board member Councilman Brian Dougherty identified the property to keep the public informed that the public was made aware it refers to 160 First Avenue, the property where currently Mike’s Convenience store and Scenic Liquors are located.
The plan calls for demolition of that building, a single-story structure, and build an apartment and commercial building similar to the one adjacent at 158 First Avenue. Currently the two commercial businesses lease the premises and their leases would not be renewed.
After much discussion, board members agreed to determine a date to hold the application hearing so as not to interfere with other important dates on municipal calendars and will then have administrator Robert Ferragina arrange for a larger location.
In the past, both the Hesse Center at Mother Theresa School and the movie theater on First Avenue have been used to accommodate larger groups.
During a preliminary presentation made to the planners last year, the proposed building, which would abut the current building near completion would be higher than that building to allow for tenant parking underneath. Borough ordinance restricts the height of a building to 35 feet, so a variance would be necessary to accommodate that plan.
In other business, the planning board unanimously approved the application from the Yacht Club to construct an outdoor restaurant over the current Galleon Room of the Shore Casino. That application describes the addition as having its floor raised off the roof of the Shore Casino roof and held in place by stanchions on three sides.
The planners also put off until its future meeting action on an application for an extension of the approval it granted in 2020 for 65 First Avenue. The approval expired last December, and planning regulations are not clear on when an extension should be applied for. However board attorney Michael Steib said all extensions of approvals are retroactive to the date of expiration of the original approval. In this case, a one year extension would give 65 First Avenue six additional months if approved in July or 18 months if granted a two year extension
