Hampton Height a Question for Zoners

Now it's up to the Red Bank Zoning Board to decide how tall is tall enough.

At its scheduled meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m., the has been asked to interpret an ordinance that, on its face, limits the height of riverfront construction to just 50 feet. The subject at hand is a proposed Hampton Inn and Suites that developer RBank Capital LLC says will be 80 feet and six stories tall.

The ordinance, , apparently includes height restrictions for new construction based on a building's proximity to the water and the road, in this case the Navesink River at high tide and neighboring Rector Place.
RBank Capital is looking to build the 76-room hotel on a small parcel of riverfront property just off of Route 35 entering Red Bank. The site, a former gas station, is a little over an acre in size and bordered by water and roads in every direction.

Though the issue has been before the planning board for months, Planning Board attorney Michael Leckstein recommended the board bounce to back to the zoning board following the unearthing of an ordinance that restricts building height. Though he said he believes the issue still remains a planning board one, Leckstein said he thought it in the best interest to seek an interpretation considering the two lawsuits the borough faces over the project.

The ordinance was first brought up during a December planning board meeting. Ron Gasiorowski, the attorney representing Stephen Mitchell, a Red Bank resident who is suing to prevent the development from happening, revealed the ordinance which was unknown to the developer as well as the planning board and its engineer.

Though the final planning decision regarding the hotel rests with the planning board, the zoning board's interpretation could have a significant impact on the proceedings.