Currently, several variances are being requested of the town in regards to the property on 120 South Street (the corner of South & Marcellus). Where a single family ranch once stood, the new property owners are seeking to divide into two properties and build large homes on them. As local residents of this area, we have many concerns regarding this proposal, including but not limited to:

#1: Subdivision. Property owners are seeking to create two lots from the current one. The size of one lot will be under current code, so variances are requested. The location of this property has yellow curb painted the entire length, so there will be no street parking available aside from any small driveways created. Parking is already difficult on Marcellus, especially during church service hours, and this will only add to the danger to pedestrians.

#2: Setback. In order to place two homes in these proposed smaller lots, a setback variance is requested. Current code requires a setback of 25 feet, and they are requesting to decrease the setback along South Street to EIGHTEEN FEET! Additionally, Monmouth County has an existing easement for any future road widening of seven feet. Should South Street ever need to be widened, that would mean the building would be a mere ELEVEN FEET from the road. Children from our town, and other sending districts, walk to school. With any potential narrowing, the sidewalk on the very busy road (and a dangerous intersection at that!) would be creating the potential for accidents, injuries, or worse. As it stands, the traffic light on the corner was put up to help control traffic, indicating the legitimate danger of the area to pedestrians. Add in two driveways immediately adjacent to that, the risk of accidents surely increases.

#3: Height. The property owner is also seeking to build higher than current code allows, increasing from thirty to nearly thirty five feet. With how tightly spaced these houses would be, essentially we would see nothing but a wall in our residential area. This also does not comment on any landscaping or fencing the eventual owners would install, creating even more eyesores.

#4: Shade Tree. In order to complete this project, a historic tree along the street would need to be removed. This tree is healthy, strong, and has survived all storms that have come through. It is beautiful in the summer, and provides shade for pedestrians, and a home for birds and other small town wildlife. Part of the charm of Manasquan is the welcoming, tree-lined streets we have. This project would hack away at that image.

#5: Neighborhood Aesthetics. This section of Manasquan is the "historic" area; homes are older, not as densely packed, and modestly-sized. By dividing up lots and building large homes in tight spaces, the family-oriented and inviting atmosphere that we cherish is being removed. This potentially will negatively affect home values for the remainder of the block. Gone will be the days of neighbors sitting on front porches and waving to one another as we walk by, and instead we will all be isolated from the community feeling. The Borough's own Master Plan states to "encourage the rehabilitation and infill of the housing stock should be encouraged, where appropriate, while maintaining the character, scale, and privacy of the established residential neighborhoods in the Borough." The proposed homes do NOT maintain the character, scale or privacy of current (and long term!) neighbors. By placing two of the largest homes on two of the smallest lots, granting this variance would be a direct violation of the Borough's own stated goals.

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