A proposed 14-unit townhouse complex that gained approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment earlier this year is one step closer to reality after action by City Council.

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The nine-member governing body introduced an ordinance (O-38-21) at its meeting on Monday night to vacate Pine Street. A public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for the City Council’s Oct. 12 regular meeting. Vacating the street transfers the right-of-way of a public street to a private property owner.

The project requires approval from City Council to vacate and convey a portion of Pine Street, a “paper street,” between Barnett Street and Lot 10, near the Linden border. A 20-foot wide driveway is proposed on the unimproved portion of Pine Street between Barnett Street and Lot 10 and the eastern portion of Lot 10. The developer would pave Pine Street, adding curbing, lighting and an underground stormwater management system. Additional variances would be required if the city does not vacate Pine Street.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment in April approved the application to construct 14 townhouses across three buildings. Pine Street Rahway LLC proposed two five-unit buildings on two undeveloped lots (Block 358, Lots 9 and 10) between Barnett Street and Flangan Field near the Linden border and a four-unit townhouses on a Barnett Street property currently occupied by a home. The townhouses would run parallel to Barnett Street.

The three lots (Block 358 – Lots 8, 9 and 10) have a combined area  of about 1.13 acres. Originally, the developer was to propose 10 units across two buildings before getting into contract to acquire the Barnett Street home on Lot 8.

The approved application was granted six bulk and one for design standards, two fewer than the original concept for 10 townhomes. A d(1) use variance was required because the property is located in the R-2 Residential Zone. Townhouses are not permitted in the R-2 Zone.

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