Route 70, Solar Applications Approved

After nearly two dozen meetings spanning almost three years, the Planning Board on Monday approved an application to build two medical office buildings and three homes on Ramshorn Drive near Route 70.

The application, known simply as Route 70 Office, proposes to construct two, two-story buildings and a three-lot residential subdivision at 2703 Ramshorn Drive, near Route 70.

The application has been ongoing since 2008. There are have been numerous changes to the plan, which originally included three office buildings and no residential construction, to accommodate the concerns of neighbors and the board of the course of its 21 meetings.

Following some discussion concerning the site’s storm water management system, the plan was approved by a unanimous vote.

“This has been a lengthy process, to say the least,’’ said Committeeman George Newberry, who also sits on the board. “We’ve refined it, changed it, moved it around so that the property owner can utilize his property with out affecting as much as possible the people that are surrounding it. I know from the number of nights we’ve spent here that its been a lot of work for each and every one of us and I think we’ve tried to do the best for Wall Township and I think we’ve accomplished that.”

The board also approved an application brought by a solar panel company that wants to move into 2111-2119 Allenwood Road, near Route 34.

Freehold-based Trinity Solar, a Route 9 alternative energy company with more than 400 employees, applied to move into the Allenwood Road facility, but needed approval from the board to re-stripe the parking lot and change the ratio of office-to-warehouse space.

The board was amenable. After a short hearing, the panel voted unanimously to approve the application.

The move follows the will of the Township Committee, which recently adopted an ordinance changing the zoning map in the area targeted by Trinity to allow for solar companies to move in where previously they were barred.