YMCA, theater sites targeted for 14 homes

BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — The current site of Playhouse 22 and the Raritan Valley YMCA will soon be transformed into a development of residential homes under a proposal from Irene Associates.

The developer went before the Planning Board last week seeking preliminary subdivision approval with a bulk variance for 14 single-family homes on Dunhams Corner Road just west of Ryders Lane. The YMCA sold its property to developer Marshall Weinerman, and the township then sold its adjacent property, the site of Playhouse 22, to Weinerman as well.

The township received $1.3 million for the property sale, and is legally obligated to find or build a new home for the East Brunswick Community Players, which has used Playhouse 22 for years.

The Raritan Valley YMCA is renovating and expanding a building on Tices Lane, and will begin moving its operation to the new facility this year.

Irene Associates began testimony on the application at the board’s Feb. 23 meeting, saying it wants to subdivide the property into 15 lots, one of which is for a detention basin. The property is zoned R-3 single-family residential.

Meryl Gonchar, attorney for Irene Associates, said the applicant needs a variance for the proposed lot width of the detention basin. Another variance is needed for a setback deficiency.

Robert Chankalian, an engineer who testified on behalf of Irene Associates, said the site is currently home to structures used by the Raritan Valley YMCA, Playhouse 22, as well as a grange building, a single-family dwelling and an old public works garage. All of those structures would be demolished.

To the west and south of the property are residences, while a firehouse is to the east. A synagogue is to the north, and there are additional residences to the northwest, he said.

The plans presented to the board and residents Feb. 23 may change when Irene Associates goes for final site approval, Gonchar said.

“What residents see tonight may not be what gets built,” said board member William Schultz.

A report from the township’s planning and engineering staff noted that the application is “for preliminary subdivision only.” It indicated that lot closure, deed documentation and homeowners’ association documentation had not yet been provided. The applicant also had not received block and lot numbering or street name approval, according to the report.

The report said the homes would each have four bedrooms.

The tract in question is about 7.5 acres. Access to the homes would be provided via a cul-de-sac off Dunhams Corner Road.

But the application has sparked some controversy, as former Planning Board member Richard Walling made a pitch to save the historic structures on the site. The staff report said there is a two-story, single-family dwelling, circa 1850, and the former grange building, circa 1935. In addition, the playhouse building is a former town hall and public works office dating to 1910.

Gary Dean, a traffic expert who testified for Irene Associates, said the project is unique in that it will actually bring a reduction in the amount of vehicular traffic generated from the site. The future residents would generate fewer trips than the current users of the property.

Jeff Sax, a resident, said he had some concerns when the properties were sold to Weinerman, but that a proposed barrier adds comfort to residents. He added, though, that he hopes Irene Associates does not remove many trees from the property. The proposal calls for 96 trees to be cut down.

Evan Katz, another resident, asked that the fence that runs around the property be repaired. He said residents have asked the YMCA to repair the fence, to no avail. He also said that if the project requires vegetation to be removed, replacement shrubbery would be needed.

The next hearing date scheduled for the application is March 23.