Commerce Bank OK'd to replace four houses Jamesburg officials say bank is a positive addition to downtown BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer A new Commerce Bank branch will soon be built in place of several existing buildings at a prominent Jamesburg intersection. The Land Use Board on Sept. 14 approved the bank's proposal to open a 4,100-square-foot branch on a 1.3-acre site on Perrineville Road between Elliot Place and Forsgate Drive. "It's going to be a welcome addition to our business community," said board Chairman Patrick Connelly. Since the town is 95 percent developed, businesses like Commerce Bank that come in with creative ideas and a willingness to keep with the existing character of the borough are welcome, Connelly said. Bank representatives said the branch will open its doors in approximately one year. They presented a preliminary site plan, including a land survey, architectural floor plan, traffic impact analysis and drainage report. Construction will begin when the borough's building department completes a review of the plans, said Borough Zoning Officer Bernie Long. The future bank site consists of six properties where four houses, along with outbuildings such as sheds and garages, now stand. A public right of way that runs through the site will be vacated, now that Commerce Bank has proof of consent from all property owners there. The bank is purchasing the houses, which will be demolished. While the houses on the site have always been well kept by their owners, Mayor Tony LaMantia said, the bank will be a positive for the community because it will make all four corners of the intersection into a business area. Drainage was a major issue at the site, because it is located on a flood plain. The project manager, David Wisotsky, explained the drainage plan, which was developed with guidance from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The state-of-the-art hydraulic design system goes above and beyond DEP requirements, Wisotsky said. Connelly said Commerce's system will provide better drainage than the existing one. The site suffered extensive flooding during the July 17, 2005, storm. The system includes two retention basins. A retaining wall of one of the basins is impinged on the rear-yard setback line. Bank representatives were able to get a variance approved for the very small overlap. Traffic was a concern for board members, because the intersection is a busy one, especially during evening rush hour. The bank will ease existing area traffic, but will not generate more as an office building would, said John Harter, a principal with Atlantic Traffic and Design Engineers. "The traffic is going to be there no matter what. People pulling off into the bank would probably relieve it," Councilman and Land Use Board member John Longo said. The bank will have two access points - one on Perrineville Road and the other on Forsgate Drive. The Forsgate Drive entrance will allow for left and right turns in, but only right turns out. This will help traffic flow more freely there, Harter said. One condition set by borough officials dealt with signage at the bank. Board members requested that Commerce use a brick monument-type sign instead of their usual internally lit pylon sign. All other signs will be externally lit, excluding one that will be attached to the building's wall. The board had also required CVS Pharmacy, which is across the street from the site, to adhere to signage standards. These conditions are made in order to keep a uniformity to the character of the town as it develops, according to board members. "We're trying to enhance the character of the streetscape," Connelly said. Another condition is that two pedestrian walkways be created at the site. One will lead to the front entrance, and the other will be at the intersection of Forsgate Drive and Perrineville Road, leading into the parking lot. These walkways will correspond with the town's goal of becoming a walking community, Connelly said.