By Dan Israeli
Richard Serrano of Vantage Homes Inc., along with his attorney and architect, took their case to the Zoning Board of Appeals last Thursday to plead for permission to build a brick veneer building on a lot that has been vacant for almost 50 years. He was met by some neighbors of the proposed site who spoke out against the application, citing the negative effect they thought the new building would have on the neighborhood.
Serrano is seeking variances for lot area, building area, side yard and rear yard. His attorney, Kenneth Apple, called the project a fair one that carefully considered the community's interests. "This building will not cause any detriment to nearby properties," Apple said. "The vacant land is currently an eye sore in the community."
Neighbors across the street from the site, at 522 Shore Road, a six-story high rise with 246 units, were represented by attorney Adam Finkelstein. According to his statements, the proposed building simply doesn't fit in the space allotted. "There are other viable solutions that are not as intrusive," Finkelstein said. "I don't think this case is about hardship: it's about a developer trying to maximize a dollar."
Barbara Mosca, a former councilwoman who lives in the neighboring Neptune Towers at 25 Neptune Blvd., said she spoke for 52 residents who opposed the application. Mosca agreed with Finkelstein, saying the variances were too large for the property to handle. She also felt the building would further congest traffic on the block, making it difficult for cars to enter and exit Shore Road safely.
Bill O'Brien, president of the co-op board at 522 Shore Road, handed in a petition of 170 signatures from his fellow tenants. In a phone interview after the hearing, O'Brien said that none of the residents supported the project.
Serrano, who has developed 25 other projects in the community, including affordable housing units, said that he is providing more than enough spots for his prospective tenants, and that his building will not impede parking in general. He added that the high-rise will not obstruct his neighbors ocean view, another issue raised at the hearing.
If the variances are accepted and the building is constructed, single and two-bedroom units will go on sale in the $450,000 to $550,000 range. A decision on the application is expected at the board's next meeting on April 26.
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