Planning Board Grants Approval to MU to Begin Parking Lot Reconstruction

It took a couple of meetings, and some conversation with the borough’s fire marshal, but on Tuesday, June 14, the West Long Branch Planning Board granted an approval to Monmouth University to make improvements to the parking lot near the Commuter Parking Field. This lot can be accessed through Norwood Avenue and Larchwood Avenue.

At the board’s last meeting on May 10, attorney Wendell Smith came before the planning board to ask if renovations could be made to this lot, as preliminary and final site plan variances was needed for the renovation. He noted the plan was to create improvements for the circulation of vehicles around the lot, as well as the beautification of the area. This included new lighting, landscaping and curbs.

He noted during the meeting that there would be no change in the amount of parking locations, and the biggest change will be that the entrances will be widened so they can be two-way, instead of just one. It was also noted that 64 trees will be added around the lot, with several islands and a 14-foot light pole erected on the premises.

However, prior to the approval of this construction plan, the board read aloud a letter from the borough’s fire marshal, Charles F. Shirley Jr. Shirley noted he had some questions about the construction and wanted to get a chance to talk with the applicants before the board went ahead and approved the variance. 

During this meeting on Tuesday, Shirley and Smith both came before the board, and everyone had the chance to ask Smith questions about the site plan.

Shirley first asked if there would be some sort of electronic gate installed to surround the lot, which Smith said there would be none. Shirley said that was fine, and if a barrier is to be installed at some later point, he wants to be notified, adding, “We just want to have a say in how the barrier would operate.”

He said the reason for this would be in case of an emergency at the school, and the fire department would want a password for the gate so they can easily make their way in and out in case of any situation that warranted it.

Shirley then said he was fine with the application, and if it was approved by the board, he would be in constant contact with those in charge of construction, that way the fire department could oversee the plans and make sure everything is up to code.

Board member Herb Jensen then thanked Smith and the university for installing sediment traps within this new parking lot to help collect the storm water runoff, adding he was in favor of the application.

“You have done a great job here with the plans for the new lot, and it will eliminate a lot of the circuitous traffic that goes around the lot currently,” said Planning Board President Richard Cooper.

The board then approved the application, and the school is now free to begin construction on the lot.

The next meeting of the West Long Branch Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. at West Long Branch Borough Hall.