Planning board recommends zoning changes to allow ADUs, ban smoke shops and bar data centers

The Red Bank Planning Board reviewed and voted to recommend ordinance 26-18 to the mayor and council on June 10. The proposed changes include adding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a conditional use in several residential zones with side- and rear-yard rules and incentives for green features or deed-restricted affordable units; prohibiting smoke shops borough-wide; permitting boutique hotels in specified commercial zones; removing a downtown parking minimum in built-out districts; and prohibiting data centers.

Planning staff explained the rationale: allowing ADUs provides housing flexibility and the proposed bonuses are intended to encourage affordable units or green infrastructure; the parking-change aims to reduce barriers to downtown storefront reuse. Board members supported the overall package but asked staff to consider reducing proposed ADU setback requirements (the board thought an 8-foot side/rear setback may be excessive). One board member noted that smoke shops would be grandfathered if already operating but new smoke-shop uses would be restricted.

The board moved and seconded a recommendation to the mayor and council; the referral will include the board’s suggestion about ADU setbacks. Staff and the board discussed enforcement of nonconforming uses if a smoke shop vacates a location. The recommendation forwarded the ordinance for the mayor and council’s review as part of master plan consistency checks.