We envision that this project will become a true town center that Ocean Township residents will frequently visit and be proud of, while creating hundreds of local jobs and offering unique services and experiences for its patrons.
Our Ocean Commons proposal introduces a vibrant and new mix of uses to our community, including unique service oriented retailers, quality dining experiences, and a residential component of age-targeted townhomes. The proposed site is a privately owned 32-acre property at the intersection of Route 35 and Deal Road.
The Township acquired approximately 45 acres adjacent to this parcel to be used for the benefit of the community. Today, the adjacent property includes open green space, the Monmouth County Library, the Township of Ocean Historical Museum, the Department of Human Services, and the historic water tower.
In 2003, Stop & Shop was seeking approval to construct over 200,000 square feet of retail space including an 81,000 square foot Supermarket. By right, the site’s current zoning allows for 197,750 square feet of retail and 100 residential units.
Over the past year, we have spent a considerable amount of time listening to and meeting with local residents and taking note of their feedback, both positive and negative. Our proposed site plan has been updated many times to reflect much of the community’s feedback. Our initial plan included 255 residential units, 6 commercial buildings fronting Route 35, and virtually no traffic improvements to Deal Road or Route 35. Our plan has since evolved and has been scaled down several times to now include 70 age-targeted townhomes, approximately 43,000 square feet of commercial space, and an Extended Stay hotel. Approximately 1/3 of the site will remain green and open-space and will include special amenities for the community’s benefit, including outdoor seating, an open area for charity and community events, and a dog park. Our plan also includes important and vital roadway improvements to address pre-existing traffic challenges and safety concerns that this site inherently has today. In addition, a proposed zoning change, which the Planning Board determined is consistent with the Master Plan, would allow the Township to set the parameters of the development and help to ensure the development is a net positive to the community.