Egg Harbor City board approves site plan for 1018 White Horse Pike tattoo parlor; residential variance continued

At its June 16, 2026 meeting the Egg Harbor City Municipal Land Use Board approved preliminary and final site-plan approval for a tattoo parlor at 1018 White Horse Pike while deferring consideration of a use variance for proposed second-floor residences.

The board voted unanimously to grant site-plan approval after the applicant's attorney and engineers agreed to reduce sign height, provide a trash enclosure, add required landscaping, and work with the board engineer on stormwater details. The certificate of filing from the Pinelands Commission (application 2025-0190) requires the applicant to consolidate Lots 1820 and 1821 by deed and provide proof of recording.

Why it matters: The vote clears the way for a commercial tenant to occupy the building's first floor with on-site parking and stormwater improvements, while the separate question of whether second-floor residential units comply with zoning (which may require a use variance) will be heard at a future meeting.

The project team said the plan adds a paved, marked parking area and a through driveway to Boston Avenue. Engineer Robert Bruce told the board, “the upgrades provide the necessary parking, lighting, storm water management for the site.” Bruce said the design would add about 13 parking spaces along the drive plus three additional spaces including a handicap stall.

Applicant Roberto Perez, identified in the record as the managing member of 1018 White Horse Pike LLC, described the proposed business and operations. “Any deliveries we have are typically standard parcel Amazon delivery — small packages, nothing major,” he said, and said the shop would typically operate by appointment with about five service providers on shift at peak times and hours roughly 9 a.m. to about 10 p.m.

Board engineer Ryan McGowan reviewed a technical engineering report and identified several items to be resolved administratively before final site-plan sign-off, including pedestrian access details, a lighting plan conforming to IES standards, a landscape plan to meet the city's tree-replacement requirements, and detailed stormwater calculations. McGowan flagged the basin freeboard and groundwater conditions and suggested the applicant consider a bioretention approach to reduce the basin footprint; he recommended a condition allowing administrative resolution of items unless the basin's horizontal footprint must expand materially, in which case the applicant would return to the board.

Public commenter N. Galloway, sworn for public comment, urged the board to ensure the new tree-replacement ordinance is followed and suggested the project team consult City arborist Jerry Barbario. McGowan said the tree-replacement rules had not yet been incorporated into the searchable code book but confirmed replacement plantings would be required and that the applicant should coordinate with staff.

The board took a roll-call vote on a motion to approve preliminary and final site-plan approval for application 2026-02. The recorded vote was: Mayor Jim Petty — yes; Mr. Gar — yes; Mr. Peterson — yes; Mr. McKenna — yes; Mr. Walker — yes; Mr. Hess — yes. No no-votes, abstentions or recusals were recorded in the roll call.

Conditions announced at the hearing include compliance with the board engineer's report, provision of recorded evidence of the lot consolidation required by the Pinelands Commission, submission of a conforming lighting and landscaping plan (including tree replacement), and construction of a trash enclosure conforming to the city's ordinance. The board bifurcated the application so the use-variance request for the second-floor residential units will be heard at a later meeting without additional noticing requirements.

At the close of the meeting the board secretary announced that application 2026-03 (DMB White Pike LLC) for a property at 26 White Horse Pike, Egg Harbor City, will be on the July 21 agenda. The board then adjourned.

Next steps: The applicant must record the consolidation deed required by the Pinelands Commission and provide the recorded document to the clerk; the applicant must also address the engineer's technical comments and submit final plans and maintenance details for the stormwater basin and landscape package before receiving final administrative sign-off. If the basin footprint must increase materially, the applicant will return to the board for further review.