7-Eleven Proposal Nixed

This story contains previous reporting from Patch Regional Editor Nicholas Loffredo.

The number three proved to not be a charm for late night munchie venues in Red Bank. There will not be a third 7-Eleven.

After several Zoning Board hearings, the board nixed the proposal because of overwhelming traffic and residential property proximity concerns at its Thursday night meeting, according to the Asbury Park Press. However, according to the story, the applicant will likely appeal the decision.

Applicant 390 Red Bank LLC wanted to knock down the small car wash on the Shell Gas Station site at Newman Springs Road and Shrewsbury Avenue and replace it with a 2,225-square-foot version of the 24-hour convenience store.

Currently, there is a small 515-square-foot market kiosk in the middle of the pumps at the station. The station was approved in 1966; and the island market was approved in 1984. Both are open 24/7. Red Bank LLC, in addition to the 7-Eleven, wanted to knock down the current small island store and replace it with a smaller kiosk for attendants only.

If approved, this would have been the third 7-Eleven in the two-square-mile borough. One, recently approved, will replace the Welsh Farms at East Front and Spring streets and be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Another 24-hour 7-Eleven has been at Maple Avenue and West Front Street for many years.

The Shell is in a Highway Business zone. Red Bank has an ordinance on the books which prohibits businesses within 100 feet of residential neighborhoods from running 24/7.

However, the applicant asserted at a previous hearing, the ordinance's limit doesn't apply in this case, because operations on the site have run 24/7 since 1985. The ordinance was crafted later, so the previously approved operation of the site 24/7 was grandfathered.

The original variances sought, according to a previous Patch report, were:

    •    Lot coverage. Code calls for a maximum of 10 percent while the construction of a 7-Eleven would bring lot coverage up to 21.6 percent.
    •    Wall signs. Ordinance allows two wall signs when a building has frontage on two roads (Newman Springs and Shrewsbury in this case). Red Bank LLC proposes four signs.
    •    Ground sign. To conform, the applicant is allowed a 60-square-foot ground sign. Red Bank LLC proposes a 141.67-square-foot sign at the corner of Newman Springs and Shrewsbury.
    •    Driveways. The ordinance limit is one two-way driveway or two one-way driveways on any street. Red Bank LLC proposes one two-way driveway on Shrewsbury Avenue, one two-way driveway on Newman Springs Road and one ingress-only (entrance) driveway on Newman Springs Road.