After scheduling an in-person meeting for Monday, December 20, and canceling it that day due to COVID-19 concerns, the Livingston Township Council held a special meeting to pass some “housekeeping” resolutions before the end of the year. The Council also heard a presentation on a proposed redevelopment plan for the Bottle King-Walgreen’s shopping center site. The meeting was held on ZoomThe meeting was held on Zoom and livestreamed on the township’s Facebook page; it can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/LivingstonTownshipNJ.Proposed Redevelopment Plan Bottle King-Walgreen’s SiteA proposed redevelopment plan for property on South Livingston Avenue at Livingston Center was presented by architect Jonathan Schwartz; property owner Andrew Friedman; and Michael Lawson and David Minno of Minno-Wasko Architects and Planners. The 7.21 acre parcel runs from the former Bottle King liquor store to the Walgreen’s shopping center on South Livingston Avenue at Livingston Center.Prior to the start of the presentation, Council member Rudy Fernandez, who is also on the township Planning Board, explained that the presentation outlines an initial concept plan to elicit feedback from the Council.The proposed plan features a five story mixed-use residential and retail project, Schwartz noted.Minno explained that the plan will address parking, which has been an issue in the past, as well as buffering between the property and the resi-dential Sherbrooke Parkway. It will also be pedestrian friendly, he said, with an outdoor courtyard featuring amenities such as a fire pit.Lawson noted that the site will feature retail and restaurant space, including outdoor dining, along South Livingston Avenue.The project will also feature 260 residential units and 515 parking spaces. The residential units will include one and two bedroom options.Fernandez asked about buffering, and expressed concern about size, density, and building height. Council member Al Anthony called it “a nice concept,” but echoed Fernandez’ concerns. Lawson said the development would be comparable in height to the Livingston Town Center development across the street on North Livingston Avenue. Livingston Town Center, he said, is 55 feet high, where the Bottle King-Walgreen’s project would be 55 to 65 feet in height.Councilman Michael Vieira also expressed concern about the building’s fifth story, and asked if it could be brought down one level to make it the same height as Livingston Town Center.Schwartz said they would look into reducing the height, but noted that there are economic considerations in reducing the size of the project.
