Board Hears 7-Eleven, Postpones Cell Tower

The Board of Adjustment on Wednesday heard only one of two major applications at its regular meeting.

An application to build a 120-foot cell tower in a residential area of Belmar Boulevard was moved to May 4 because representatives from T-Mobile, the applicant, were unable to attend the hearing.

The entirety of the meeting was spent on testimony in support of renovating a Route 35 gas station into a 7-Eleven convenience store.

The existing Gulf gas station on Route 35 at Allaire Road would be , under the proposal. If built, it would also be the first in the area to also sell gas.

The plan proposes to keep operating the existing gas pumps but turn the existing building into a 2,187-square-foot convenience store.

The plan is opposed by its northern neighbor, however.

The Danskin Real Estate and Insurance office at 1937 Route 35 shares a portion of a non-conforming Route 35 driveway with the Gulf station and objects to the proposal, mainly over increased traffic concerns.

Attorney for the Danskin agency, Mark Aikins, peppered representatives from the Sema Food Mart., the applicant, about parking and traffic and the amount of commerce the new entity expects to generate.

A prime issue with some board members and the Danskin agency is the shared driveway. Board member Ray Sloacum several times called it a “safety issue,’’ and asked if the driveway could be restricted to exit-only traffic.

Sema’s traffic engineer said any changes to the operation of the grandfathered driveway would trigger a state Department of Transportation review and would require an agreement with Danskin.

Aiken did not indicate whether that would be forthcoming.

Testimony will continue on the application on March 2.