SEAVILLE — The plan to build a hotel and restaurant on Route 9 in Seaville has moved one giant step forward with the Zoning Board’s 6-1 approval of multiple variances.
The proposal, which the board initially tabled, was presented again Aug. 1 following amendments. Applicant John Federico’s initial plan called for 24 apartments and 108 hotel rooms. The apartments were removed and the plan now is for 136 hotel rooms with a restaurant and cafe in five buildings next to Cedar Square Shopping Center.
The project now needs multiple other approvals, including for sewerage and environmental impact.
“We anticipate due to the nature of this project and our interest in ensuring it exceeds the expectations, that it will be a lengthy development process,” Federico stated in an email. “As anxious as we are to convert this building site to an asset and hopefully to a landmark for the community, the next few steps will be time-consuming.”
While awaiting county approval, Federico stated his professionals would be preparing the septic design for the initial phase and working on a detailed plan for the first two buildings for submission to the township Planning Board.
“Now that there has been preliminary approval on the entire project, we will also begin the process with the NJDEP and have already contracted with an environmental firm to handle treatment works approval as well as other state requirements for this development,” Federico stated.
The Zoning Board approved a use variance because a hotel or restaurant is allowed but not a combination of the two. Other variances approved include for parking spaces (150 where 170 is required), maximum building height (49.5 feet where 45 feet is allowed), number of floors (four where three is allowed), lot frontage (248.5 feet where 250 is required) and lot width (248.5 where 250 is required).
“They did a lot of things to minimize the waivers and the variances,” Zoning Board Chairman Paul Casaccio said.
The wooded property, which is irregularly shaped but just short of 250 feet wide by an average of 1,581 feet deep, stretches from Route 9 to the Garden State Parkway, close to the southbound junction and Route 50.
Federico plans to build in two phases. Phase one will include two hotel buildings each with 20 units and associated site improvements on the rear of the property closest to the Garden State Parkway. The second phase would involve the remaining three buildings with 96 rooms, the restaurant and cafe on the front of the property.
Federico of Miami Shores, Fla., purchased the property May 22, 1998.
Township resident Carol Griffith contacted the Sentinel following the meeting to express her opposition to the project, saying it does not meet the intent of the Town Core Center zone.
“A hotel is allowed but the goal was to create a town center, like a downtown area for local people to use, to enhance the lives of local people,” she said. “I was wondering why they thought a hotel would be appropriate. Nothing on that space is for local people.”
She said that while a restaurant is proposed, the parking shortage — 150 spots for 136 rooms plus employees — likely would prevent locals from finding a spot.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff