Lakewood commercial building approved, despite traffic concerns

A controversial proposal for a commercial building on Cross Street won unanimous approval from the Lakewood Planning Board Tuesday night, despite objections from a Township fire commissioner and residents of nearby adult communities.

The Asbury Park Press reports many in the standing-room-only crowed booed passage of the application submitted by 32 Cross LLC. Opponents are mainly concerned about increased traffic in an already congested area. The three-story building site would be connected to property recently approved for duplex subdivision, and would share the same exit onto Cross Street. Construction of another nearby, larger subdivision also is underway.

Meir Cohen, a commissioner for Fire District No. 1 fears additional traffic on Cross Street could make it more difficult for emergency vehicles to access the area, according to the Asbury Park Press.

The building would have nearly 8,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, and open space on second and third floors. The Asbury Park Press reports the applicant's planner contended the site would generate far less traffic as opposed to other permitted uses for the site, such as high-density residential development, a school or a house of worship.

The Ocean County Planning Board will have the final say on the commercial building because Cross Street is a county road.