BERKELEY, NJ — Redevelopment of the Beachwood Mall site, now known as Berkeley Town Center, is moving forward.
At the latest Township Council meeting, ordinances were introduced to add car washes as an approved use in the Berkeley Town Center, and to remove height standards.
“The intention always was that the bulk standards like height and other things would not be in the redevelopment plan,” said Business Administrator John Camera. “They would instead be incorporated into an ordinance with bulk standards for any particular project.”
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Now that an application is in for the front 40 acres of the property, that ordinance is necessary, Camera said.
The planning board previously approved a plan for the Beachwood Mall site that included retail buildings, a fast-food restaurant and supermarket. Read more: New Beachwood Mall Site Plans Approved: Here’s What’s In Store
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Additionally, the recently-approved federal funds that will extend Western Boulevard will help the future of the Beachwood Mall.
“Without the extension of Western Boulevard, the town center would be less successful,” said Mayor John Bacchione. Read more: $1M In Federal Funds Will Extend Western Boulevard In Berkeley
Bacchione also said he was in talks with the county to try and get Route 9 widened. While he admitted there isn’t much room to widen the road, he said maybe adding in a right turn lane or left turn lane in spots could help alleviate traffic. The state is looking into it, he said.
This, he said, would benefit not just Berkeley, but all the way from Lacey to Lakewood.
“It really needs an overhaul for sure,” Bacchione said.
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