Hazlet Zoning Board Approves Site Use Variance for Strip Mall on Holmdel Road

The Hazlet Township Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a site use variance permitting a strip mall on Holmdel Road near Route 35 at their meeting Tuesday night.

Strip malls, which are defined as any establishment with more than two commercial businesses in the same structure, are prohibited in Hazlet and require a site use variance from the zoning board, explained Joe Paparo, the board's attorney. The project would need site plan approval for any other variances before it could move forward.

The property, which is currently vacant, is located behind the Exxon on Route 35 and is bordered by Holmdel Road, Bayview Avenue and Park Avenue. The fourth side of the property backs up to single family homes. 

Nicholas Mariolis, the property owner, explained at the meeting that he intends to build a 10,000 square foot strip mall that contains eight units with a small town feel and a parking lot with both an entrance and an exit on Holmdel Road. 

"I don't want to do just a plain box. I want to make it something nice for the town and something I'm proud of," Mariolis said. 

After hearing testimony from Mariolis, his attorney and a planner there on his behalf, board member Hank Borchers motioned to deny the application. His motioned was seconded by Walter Szczuplak but did not pass. 

Board member Lou Pisano then made a motion to approve the application, which passed 5-2. Borchers and Szczuplak voted against the motion.