Hazlet's Proposed Holiday Inn Express Is Going Forward

HAZLET, NJ - The Hazlet Land Use Board unanimously approved a four-story Holiday Inn Express at 2780 Route 35, placed upon a wooded lot behind the existing two-story Holiday Inn and a commercial building housing Hazlet Pharmacy and a clothing store.

Not everyone is a cheerleader for the new hotel. Holmdel Mayor Gregory Buontempo testified against the establishment, saying it would tower and dwarf nearby Holmdel homes. The Township Committee approved a resolution opposing the construction and some Miller and Orchard avenues residents are equally opposed to the location of the hotel so close to their Holmdel homes.

But the plans are endorsed by pro-business interests, according to an article from the Two River Times about the Nov. 30 approval for development of a three-acre lot into a four-story facility with 93 rooms.

Hazlet Township Committee Member Barbara Ronchetti told the Two River Times that Hazlet has been trying to encourage new businesses along the Route 35 corridor to boost property values and increase ratables. This section of the roadway is dotted with empty businesses including Kmart, Pathmark, Sports Authority, Frank’s Nursery, Red Oak Diner and Friendly’s.

“With our redevelopment plan in place, I feel this hotel will be a great tax revenue for our residents and a very pleasant sight on our highway," she said while Steve White, who lives near the hotel property in Holmdel, saw no convincing reason Hazlet should allow two hotels on essentially the same property, although the plan is to divide the property into two lots.

“It’s not like we have a theme park here, a convention center or conference halls here,” said White to the Two River Times. “All we have is a beach and that really doesn’t justify a hotel.”

At its closest point, the hotel would be 92 feet from the nearest property, where at least 80 feet is required, according to township ordinances. Building plans indicate an indoor swimming pool, small market, lifestyle lounge and a fitness room. A planner for the proposed hotel testified earlier this year that it would be "upper-scale," marketing to that demographic. It would allow no pets and smoking would be prohibited.

Attorney Jeffrey Gale, representing developer Gode Hotels, said in August the existing Holiday Inn could be sold and rebranded in the future as a Quality Inn or similar style hotel. The Holiday Inn is currently owned by Gode Hotels, the applicant for the Holiday Inn Express.

What made the application unique was how the entire hotel property was not a permitted use in its current business park zone. Yet it was specifically noted in Hazlet’s June 2017 master plan re-examination to be changed to the business highway zone, where a hotel would be allowed.

The Holiday Inn Express would join Holiday Inn, Best Western Hazlet Inn, Holmdel Motor Inn and the Shore Point Motel as lodging options along Route 35. Officials earlier have said the facilities often are the first choice of entertainers scheduled to appear at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel during its season.

The next step in the hotel approval process is to seek approval from the state Department of Transportation because the plans detail access from Route 35, a state highway.

For the full story in the Two River Times, visit http://tworivertimes.com/holid...

.A view of the Holiday Inn in Hazlet. The Holiday Inn Express would be built next door. Photograph by Carly Baldwin/Patch Staff.