Changes proposed for 141-apartment plan in Toms River

TOMS RIVER - A retail building that could have included 12 to 15 stores will be eliminated from The Woods at Toms River, a 141-unit apartment complex that has been proposed for Route 9.

Developer 1606 Lakewood Road LLC had initially hoped to build a 32,000-square-foot building next to the 141 apartments the builder hopes to construct on Route 9 between Church Road and Sunset Avenue.

But both residents and Planning Board members had expressed concerns about the development, the impact of the new apartments and stores on already-congested Route 9, and the access to the commercial part of the project.

Lawyer Jennifer Krimko, who represents 1606 Lakewood Road, proposed that the builder remove the commercial building and return to the planning board with a proposal that includes only the apartments.

Board members seemed amenable to the idea.

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"It seems like a fair compromise," board member John Reuther said. The revised application -- without the commercial building -- is scheduled to be heard by the board on April 18.

An influx of new developments along Route 9 and surrounding roads in North Dover has angered residents and led some Township Council members to call for a building moratorium should an ongoing study of sewer capacity in the area show that the system is under strain.

But such a moratorium is likely illegal, unless a "qualified health professional" produces a written opinion "that a clear imminent danger to the health of the inhabitants of the municipality exists."

The Woods at Toms River, which would be located between Sunset Avenue and Church Road behind the Victoria and Jonathan plazas, would include 113 market-rate rental apartments and 28 affordable units.

The majority of the apartments would have two bedrooms, and range in size from 1,085 to 1,325 square feet. Some would have garages.

The apartments would be built in nine three-story wooden structures on the 34.5-acre site.

The development is part of Toms River's court-approved affordable housing plan. Under the plan, Toms River must provide 1,285 units of affordable housing here through 2025.

Residents have complained that other housing projects, which will further increase traffic on Route 9, are either being built nearby or have been proposed for construction.

Watch the video above to see how a mobile home park in the area has been impacted by a large housing development being built next-door.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING: How much affordable housing is planned for Toms River?

For example, Shopping Center Associates has proposed building 150 housing units – including 30 affordable units – on Route 9 opposite Clayton Avenue, only a short distance away from the Woods at Toms River project.

Work recently began on another nearby development: Dover Summit, located at Route 9 and Whitty Road, is a 175-unit development, with 35 affordable units.

"I've lived here for 3 1/2 years, and I've seen development after development," Vermont Avenue resident Cynthia Rossi. "Who is in charge of saying, 'enough is enough'?"

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050, Twitter: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com