Red Bank zoning board approves revised supportive‑housing project at 273 Shrewsbury Ave., 6–1

The Red Bank Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 6–1 on April 16 to approve an amended final major site plan for 273 Shrewsbury Avenue, a supportive‑housing development intended for neurodiverse adults, after hearing testimony about design changes forced by a county right‑of‑way and a required utility transformer.

Applicant attorney Mr. McKenna told the board the project originally received conditional approval in 2023 for what he described as an “inherently beneficial use” of 32 one‑bedroom units for adults with neurodiverse needs and said the scheme had drawn statewide and national attention. He said subsequent outside requirements forced design changes that prompted the revised application.

Why it mattered: the changes required to accommodate a county‑mandated curb return and a ground‑mounted transformer from Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) reduced usable building footprint and altered buffer and parking calculations. Board members and professionals debated whether the changes were minor and justified by hardship or whether they required further study, particularly on parking and traffic impact.

Architect Christian Pereira said the county’s required easement removed roughly 266 square feet from the building footprint. “We lost 266 ft and rather than losing that in two units…we distribute…