Memorial Sloan-Kettering is eyeing a large empty office building at 480 Red Hill Road in Middletown near Garden State Parkway Exit 114 for an outpatient cancer treatment center, according to Middletown Township officials.
At a Township Committee workshop meeting Thursday, elected officials expressed enthusiasm for the idea of a new medical facility in town that could employ 300 professionals. Mayor Anthony Fiore said, "We're going to do everything we can to bring that ratable into town, to bring those hundreds of very high-paying jobs to Middletown and the surrounding area... I'm very excited about the prospects of this potential tenant."
But there is one hurdle. The empty building, formerly owned by Lucent Technologies but abandoned for a decade, sits in an Office Retail zone where medical-related facilities are not a permitted use. So Memorial Sloan-Kettering has requested that Middletown Township reconsider its existing zoning of that parcel.
"They specifically requested that the Township consider permitting a treatment center, medical offices, administrative offices and a data center," said Township Planner Jason Greenspan. Adjustments would also have to be made to the parking facilities as they relate to medical use, he said.
Greenspan said he looked over the proposals and saw no red flags. "In my opinion there are no inconsistencies with the [township] master plan. In fact, the 2011 re-examination report cited this property as being ripe for redevelopment."
He said the township should embrace the re-use of underutilized properties over constructing new ones, whenever possible. The multi-story, 285,000 square foot concrete and glass building was built in 1984 and is now owned by Investor Warranty of America and assessed at $9 million. Memorial Sloan-Kettering has indicated they would like to expand it by another 11,000 feet, Greenspan said.
The planner told the governing body that their next steps would be to review the extensive planning report, introduce a zoning change ordinance, obtain a master plan compliance review by the Planning Board, and present the legislation for public hearing on October 15, said Greenspan.
Township Attorney Brian Nelson said the OR zone permitted-use schedule was "antiquated" and should be reviewed, regardless of Memorial Sloan Kettering's request or not.
The township is seeing more market demand for unwanted office buildings that can be repurposed for medical professional and medical-related uses. Last year, the township approved two medical related businesses in the Route 35 highway business zone.
Memorial Sloan-Kettering, headquartered in Manhattan, has suburban outpatient treatment centers for the convenience of its patients and .
I deal with zoning issues on a regular, basis, because as in the case of the Township of Middletown, indeed the permitted-use schedule is often "antiquated." You wouldn't want your neighbor to set-up an auto body shop. However, I frequently deal with situations such as a home owner/purchaser wanting a home office with occasional visitors which is in full compliance with local zoning. Prior to email, such an office may have created far too much traffic. Today, it may mean only a few visitors a day, coupled the ability of allowing a person to keep or purchase a home. "Non-conforming" issues is a serious matter, as it sets a precedent once a site is exempted. So, indeed, making a clear change to the effected zoning district is wise, as it levels the playing field for others marketing property in that area while shielding the township from potential legal challenges due to spot zoning.
FYI- for you politicos you and Orsini KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THIS. As far as Holmdel is concerned they already have a super majority they don't need Larry Fink. Middletown has been working on this project for a long time. Sloan didn't want Lucent in Holmdel it was much to big and costly. I understand they inquired a few years back. Congradulations to Mayor Fiore and the Middletown team for selling a 500,000 sq. foot building . Congradulations to your Mayor and Council ( assume you are from Holmel) in dealing with and selling a 2 million square fott building on 500 acers. I know they had a meeting and told the public what was going there( my sister lives in Holmdel) they are pleased that your Mayor is proactive in bringing this to closure). I guess everyone can't be pleased. But can't you be happy for all the people in the Middletown Holmdel area. Congrats. Tony F.
Mr. Orsini and Ms. Beckenstein display a distressing ignorance of economic development, and seem oblivious to what has been going on in Holmdel. The addition of Sloan-Kettering in a 500,000 sq ft facility in Middletown will have a positive economic impact on the entire area. As will the redevelopment of the Lucent property and the growth of Bayshore Hospital, already underway, as part of Meridian, one of the largest health care providers in the country. The re-zoning being developed for Holmdel’s Route 35 corridor and Holmdel Village will help maximize the value of these ongoing and imminent projects, while ensuring preservation of Holmdel’s unique community character. While the details of current discussions with developers in all of these areas remains rightfully confidential, the plan for sustainable economic development now unfolding has been no secret. It has been presented repeatedly in public meetings over the past year as part of budget and planning discussions, and the Lucent Redevelopment Plan itself provides extensive detail as to intentions for the property. Mr. Orsini and Ms. Beckenstein are either willfully ignorant or simply spinning for political gain with no real concern for welfare of the community. My administration has worked diligently to move Holmdel foward, always keeping in mind the best interst of the community
And to my friend Mr. Orsini, you have become so politically insignificant in Holmdel that most residents are aware of all of your divisive tactics that no longer work. Perhaps you should attend a Committee meeting once in a while to really see what's going on in town.
Lucent did not own it, however, it was leased. Last time I looked inside, it was a serious mess. Water damage, cables hanging through the ceiling, overturned furniture. Mold would be inevitable. Let's hope that the owners can truly ameliorate what was a standing disaster. That this building has stood empty for ten years is a symptom of corporate mismanagement, and of the economy in general.
This is the best news I had heard in a long time.l
We realize that you are not a numbers person, but please explain to the people what the recent tax increase went to pay. I'll save you the trouble, as it went to retire high interest rate debt, or put another way, taxes that would have had to be raised and levied anyway. Come on now, stop the distortions.