The Red Bank Commission made zoning changes related to lot sizes for several residential properties on Tuesday night.
The request to rezone 3500 Tacoma Ave. and 215 E. Euclid Ave. from R-1 Residential to RZ-1 Residential Zero Lot Line was approved on first reading. There are two houses on the adjoining property, but in order to have the ability to sell them separately, the property had to be divided, requiring the zoning change that was dictated by the lot size.
The owner has no intention of building any additional structures on the property.
Another lot at 217 W. Ridgewood Ave. was rezoned from R-1 Residential to R-T/Z, Residential Townhome Zero Lot Line subject to conditions. The owner is planning to build two single-family dwellings on this property. The neighbor living next door to this lot came to the meeting to request that the commissioners rezone it only if stormwater runoff is addressed. She feared that the impervious surfaces that will be created with buildings will increase water problems that already exist on the sloping terrain. If the rezoning passes on second reading, there will be the condition of a permanent stormwater agreement now and with whomever the land is sold to in the future.
Flag lots provide a means to access properties that are behind street-front subdivided lots. Driveways from the street placed between the front lots lead to the properties at the rear. The width requirement of these lots has been lowered from 200 feet to 150 feet with the recommendation from the planning board and approval from the Red Bank Commission.
The zoning of two lots, 109 and 103 Woodrow Ave., was changed from R-1 Residential to C-1 Commercial on Tuesday night. City Attorney Arnold Stulce said that these properties have been commercial for many years, but in 2015, when the city created a new zoning map, an error was made giving the properties the residential designation. He said the change approved by the commission corrected the city’s error.
In the last few weeks, City Manager Randall Smith said he had been contacted by residents interested in installing solar panels on their homes or properties. After receiving the requests and doing some research, he said he found there is no zoning ordinance or design standard that deals with solar panels. He requested and received approval from the commissioners to put a moratorium on the installation or utilization of solar panels or solar arrays within the city limits. The freeze will give Mr. Smith time to develop rules and regulations regulating the use of this equipment.
The city is preparing to build a 2,000-foot segment of sidewalk from Newbury Street going north along Dayton Boulevard that will connect with existing walkways. Moreland Altobelli Associates was approved to provide right-of-way services for the project at an amount not to exceed $41,195. Attorney Stulce said that the city will need to acquire some private property and temporary construction easements for the work.
The Alpine Crest Elementary School has held fundraising events to raise money for buying new playground equipment, but is $2,800 short of the amount needed. The school asked the city to help, which the commissioners agreed to do by authorizing a program services grant in the amount of $2,800.
The city manager announced that the Red Bank Christmas Festival and Parade will be held on Dec. 2, the first Saturday of the month. Vendors will be set up at 4 p.m. and the parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. The Red Bank Red Nose Run, a 5K walk/run will be held for the first time that day.