Zoning Board Approves New Residences Slated for New Brunswick

At its Monday meeting, the city Zoning Board gave positive recommendations to several applications for code variances to allow for improvements to residential properties. 

Among these was an application submitted by Women’s Aware, Inc., a domestic violence relief agency for women and children headquartered in the city.

Approval will allow the organization to add a third floor apartment to a two story residential property on Livingston Avenue and improve the pre-existing floors. 

“We want to create independent living units of permanent housing for families impacted by domestic violence," said Phyllis Adams, the agency's executive director.

Adams explained that an office would also be constructed as an on-site location to provide support services to families residing at the location.

An application submitted by Edgewood properties for a mixed use residential/retail complex was also reviewed and approved. This construction project includes the creation of 236 new residential units as well as two additional restaurants and retail stores at 19 U.S. 1, the site of the former Route 1 Flea Market.

Several businesses on the same property, including an AMC Theaters cinema complex will not be affected by the construction, as it will occur on areas of the property which are in dis-use.

According to Edgewood Properties design plans, the housing units will share two large courtyards, one of which will house a swimming pool.  In addition to surface parking, private garages will offer be offered to a limited number of residents.

The recommendation to allow the re-development project to continue were approved with provisions that Edgewood Properties would implement recommendations from a geo-technical study regarding slope stabilization measures and investigate the possibility of increasing pedestrian access and vehicle access, particularly in the case of emergencies.