Red Bank Planners Kill Plan That Could Give Developer A Tax Break

RED BANK, NJ — The Red Bank Planning Board unanimously voted to reject a proposal to designate the northern end of the borough along Riverside Drive as an area in need of redevelopment, preventing a developer (Saxum Real Estate) from potentially getting a tax break.

The area sits right off the bridge from Middletown and included two vacant gas stations the former building of the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA).

"I don't see that this whole area is in need of redevelopment," said planning board member Daniel Mancuso. "Would I like to see the gas stations properly developed in some smart way? Yes. I don't believe that the coastal building belongs here in this mix."

Other board members shared the same opinion.

"Yes, the gas stations are a real eyesore. They've been an eyesore and there an entrance to Red Bank. I'd love to see something done to that also," said member Arthur V. Murphy, adding that he doesn't agree with including some of the other properties. "Between the coastal building and the Visiting Nurse Association, I really don't see what the need of redevelopment is."

The Borough Council had directed the planning board to produce a study that would determine if these properties were eligible to be labeled as in need of redevelopment. The report — which was conducted by CME Associates — can be seen here.

"I must candidly say I was unpersuaded and unimpressed by the recommendations of the report. I can't in good conscience go along with the report," said Mayor Pasquale Menna.

Mancuso said that Saxum Real Estate already had an approval to build.

"Anything else that's going on there is on them," Mancuso said. "And certainly not on the planning board, the council or the backs of the residents. I cannot in any circumstance see myself approving these properties in an area in need of redevelopment."

Residents enthusiastically clapped after board members issued their opinion.

Saxum Real Estate got approval for a 210 unit five-story building that would include co-working spaces, a restaurant and a three-story private parking garage in December 2019, according to Asbury Park Press.

In August 2021, the board was presented with the study to give the area a new designation. If it voted to label if “an area in need of redevelopment” as opposed to “an area in need of rehabilitation,” then the council would have the option to approve a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) plan, the paper wrote.

Board member Barbara Boas said that "any injury to the VNA building was self-inflicted."

"I don't think it's the borough's responsibility to heal those wounds," she said.