Planning Board approves Sampson Holdings subdivision at 211 Sampson Ave and grants D(1) variance to retain two homes

On March 2 the Seaside Heights Planning Board approved a minor subdivision for 211 Sampson Ave that creates three lots and granted a D(1) use variance permitting two principal structures on one of the resulting lots, with conditions on occupancy and repairs.

Attorney Dante Alfieri said the applicant intends to keep existing structures—a large front house and a detached rear building with a second-floor apartment—and asked the board to allow certain rehabilitation to occur as a post-approval condition. "The second-floor apartment is unoccupied and they will keep it as such until the subdivision is complete," Alfieri said. Board engineer Michael Goldstein cautioned that the rear structure appeared substantially damaged and should not be occupied until it meets code.

Planner Brian Murphy described the lot configuration (two 2,000-square-foot lots on the west and one 6,000-square-foot lot on the east) and presented an exhibit showing comparable two-family homes nearby. A member of the public, Brian Shortino, questioned whether the Retail Business zone area on the parcel had been measured correctly and argued that residential use within RB must be physically within the RB boundary; applicant counsel and the planner said the Low-Density Residential rules govern and that a de minimis discrepancy would not be dispositive.

After discussion and with conditions addressing the engineer’s review, Paul Firetto moved to approve the application; Michelle Humphrey seconded and the board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. The board recorded that occupancy of the rear apartment should not occur until renovations and any required certificates of occupancy are obtained.