Payton Guion

@PaytonGuion

Plans for large residential projects continue in Lakewood, as a local developer has proposed 263 homes off Airport Road, just north of Route 70.

A Lakewood-based company called Cam Equities LLC has applied for environmental permits for the project, which has been dubbed the Bennett Center, documents show. The development comprises 51 triplexes and 110 townhouses for a total of 263 units.

The project adds to a crush of homes being planned for Lakewood. Data from the state Department of Community Affairs show that Lakewood is building more houses than any place in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The town ranked third in the state in residential building permits issued in 2016. Developers have proposed more than 2,500 additional homes in the town. Most are pending approval.

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Another developer, Encore Holdings LLC, was planning a 222-unit project called The Encore adjacent to the proposed Bennett Center. That project included 22,000 square feet of office space and a synagogue. Those plans were put on hold when Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles vetoed the sale of land between the Lakewood Industrial Commission and the developer. The 13.6-acre plot contains a landfill, causing Coles to balk at the sale.

"I was very concerned with homes being built on a landfill," Coles said. "I didn't want my conscience worrying about kids playing in that area."

Plans for the Bennett Center were filed with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Jan. 19, according to the application. Developers must get approval from DEP — and be awarded what are known as CAFRA permits — before building on wetlands or other protected property.

Bob Considine, DEP spokesman, said the department has received the application and will open a 30-day public comment period on March 22.

Yehuda Dachs, the developer, did not return multiple calls seeking comment, so it's unclear how soon construction could begin, if DEP approves the project. CAFRA applications can take years to get approved.

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Also unknown is if the development will include basement apartments. All new residential construction in Lakewood is allowed to have a basement apartment for each unit, said Ally Morris, Lakewood's planning board administrator. If basement apartments are added to each home, the number of units jumps to 526 from 263.

If the DEP approves the environmental permits for the project, Dachs would still need Lakewood to sign off before construction could begin.

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Payton Guion: pguion@app.com; 732-643-4245