Toms River downtown plan has 64 apartments, stores; will mayor fight it at next hearing?

Jean Mikle, Asbury Park Press
·2 min read

TOMS RIVER - A Planning Board public hearing on the latest downtown redevelopment proposal has been postponed and is rescheduled for June 5, according to Lucia Lynch, planning board secretary.

The hearing on Waterfront Development Partners LLC's plan to build a four-story apartment building with retail on the ground floor had initially been scheduled for Wednesday, April 17. The developer's lawyer, Robert C. Shea, requested the postponement. The development is proposed for a parking lot at Water and Irons streets.

The development is expected to be controversial, especially in light of Mayor Daniel Rodrick's public statements decrying large-scale redevelopment in the downtown. Rodrick's successful mayoral campaign last year had "overdevelopment" as its centerpiece; he has vowed to stop any major developments in Toms River, particularly in the downtown.

Waterfront Development Partners' plan includes 64 apartments in the building, plus about 5,000 square feet of retail on the first floor, in keeping with Toms River's downtown redevelopment plans.

Proposed development in downtown Toms River, at the corner of Water and Irons streets.
Proposed development in downtown Toms River, at the corner of Water and Irons streets.

School referendum fails: Toms River Regional may face more school aid cuts after Seaside Heights voters kill merger

Waterfront Development's application is the first major building application in the downtown since Capodagli Property Co. proposed two apartment towers on land formerly occupied by the Red Carpet Inn at Water and Main streets. Earlier this month, Rodrick's administration declared Capodagli in default, claiming the developer did not have all its required permits to begin building the two apartment buildings.

Capodagli has 30 days — until early May — to acquire all the necessary permits or the township plans to pull out of the redevelopment agreement, Rodrick said.

Toms River development: Mayor, fighting 'overdevelopment,' hires powerbroker lawyer for housing fights

The proposal for Water and Irons streets is different because it does not require a redevelopment agreement with the town. The 1.1-acre parking lot is already owned by Lakewood-based Waterfront Development Partners, whose principal owner is Mark Tress.

Lawyer Shea has said the development does not require any variances.

A four-story building with 64 residential units and commercial space on the first floor has been proposed to replace this parking lot at West Water and Irons Streets in Toms River shown Friday, March 15, 2024.
A four-story building with 64 residential units and commercial space on the first floor has been proposed to replace this parking lot at West Water and Irons Streets in Toms River shown Friday, March 15, 2024.

Toms River parking garage safe? $500K repairs canceled, mayor says just paint job needed

Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and writes about issues related to Superstorm Sandy. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle,  jmikle@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Downtown Toms River apartment plan postponed; will mayor fight it?