Dunnell project boosted

Planning Board plans to vote Dec. 13

By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer

A developer sought approval Nov. 29 to construct a four-story apartment building at the site of the former police headquarters on Dunnell Road, opposite Memorial Park in Maplewood.

JERC Partners XVIII LLC, at a hearing before the Maplewood Planning Board, was able to have its engineer and architect testify before the board decided to adjourn and continue the hearing at its next meeting Dec. 13.

A vote on the project is expected then.Architect David Minno showed how the 50 apartments would be a mix of one- and two-bedroom units. 

The environmentally friendly building would feature solar panels on the roof, he said.

As part of his testimony, Minno showed what the new building would look like in relation to the other buildings along Dunnell.

The proposed apartment building would be the tallest building on the street by far, but Minno said the developer needed a 50-foot building to make the project work financially.

The Planning Board asked for a landscape plan and for the developer to provide further details, such as the impact on trees on the ridge located behind the proposed building.

The developer is planning to knock down the former police headquarters, vacant since 2008.JERC  Partners XVIII is a subsidiary of J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc, the firm with which the township had exclusive negotiations for the .86-acre property.

The deal is for $1.75 million, although credits for building four affordable units on site and tearing down the former headquarters could knock down the sale price.

Mayor Vic De Luca, who worked on negotiations with the developer, is also sitting on the case as a voting member of the Planning Board.

Philip Sean Curran can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 116, or at newsrecord@thelocalsource.com.