Skilled Nursing Facility Testimony Focuses on Updated Site Plan

Testimony and questioning at Thursday's meeting focused on the updated site plan for a controversial skilled nursing facility submitted by the applicant after objectors took issue with the original proposal. 

The site plan, which was altered to have 180 beds instead of 260 and a larger buffer between the facility and adjacent property, was presented and questioned by opposition attorney Lisa John and members of the public during a meeting that ran for over three hours in multipurpose room. Last month's regular meeting so that the applicant, Manchester Rehab Realty, could file the updated plan with the township.

Michael Thomas of Wall-based Innovative Engineering planned the site and addressed questioned raised in a board letter, such as the reduction in parking spaces, emergency access and buffers to block nearby properties from vehicle lights. 

Thomas said that a "comprehensive" landscaping plan is in place that, in conjunction with existing trees and a newly constructed 6-foot fence which is 20 feet from the property line of the 3086 Ridgeway Rd. facility, is proposed to provide a buffer to adjacent properties. 

John asked Thomas if lights will be a problem for those living nearby since the facility would be a 24-hour operation with employees — a maximum of 85 staff would be present at once — working shifts running from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

"There is a natural existing vegetative buffer which surrounds the property," Thomas said. "We're maintaining that and installing a 6-foot tall board-on-board fence to shield any type of vehicular lights."

As for the expected size of trucks visiting the property, Thomas said that the largest truck the facility's roads were designed for is a fire truck. 

John made a point that delivery and emergency vehicles would both utilize the loading area in the rear of the building, potentially at the same time. Questions were also asked about a second, permeable access access road that is proposed in the plan, such as if it can be plowed when snow falls. 

Thomas said that crews would be able to "maintain" the permeable road.

The applicant's attorney, Harvey York, later asked Thomas if some of the 115 proposed parking spaces — already reduced from the 128 in the original plan — potentially could be removed to accommodate a paved emergency access point, to which the planner affirmatively responded.

Parking would have to be reduced since, under CAFRA regulations, 30 percent of the property can be developed. Under the current plan, 28.5 percent of the land is built upon — Thomas said that he was not certain if changing a permeable road into an impermeable one would bring the plan to 30 percent. 

A proposed fence around patio areas became a topic of concern, as the planner's choice of words raised questions.

"It is meant to contain patients on the property and also serves as a safety barrier," Thomas said. 

This answer was pressed upon by a board member and some in the public, who questioned Thomas' use of the word "contain."

"We're doing that so that nobody goes across Shorin Way," York said, referring to a road near the rear of the property.

Resident Gwen Lareau, who owns the adjacent property on Shorin, asked whether the facility would utilize the township's water supply. Thomas responded that the facility would pump its water from one newly-constructed well and would only use the township's allocated water reserve for fighting a fire.

The question of what types of patients would be treated at the center was again raised, as York asked Thomas if he had been told by the applicant that the facility would rehabilitate those with drug and alcohol problems. 

"Not that I'm aware of," Thomas said. 

York again addressed this concern, which has been a major point of contention for many opposed to the project, later in the meeting. 

"This board does not have the jurisdiction, nor did they ever, to determine how a nursing home operates," York said, adding that it is up to the state and not municipality.

This point was by Joseph Kiernan, vice president of Ocean Healthcare Management, who said that the facility would be used for stroke, heart, orthopedic and post-surgery rehabilitation. 

"We stipulated — no alcohol, no drug rehab," York said. 

York presented a letter showing that a certificate of need was issued on Oct. 25 from the Department of Health and Senior Services. Under New Jersey law a certificate of need was not required, York said, but the applicant obtained one because it had become a "contentious issue" raised by objectors. 

"We have said from day one that we have had no obligation to have a certificate of need letter prior to getting approval," he said. "However, because it became such an important, contentious issue, my client filed the appropriate application."

The Manchester Neighbors group, which is paying for representation by John, is relying on donations from residents to keep the movement going.

"It's a challenge," said Bill Foor, who with his wife Rose Trafton are leading the opposition, before the meeting. "We're trying our darndest to raise funds. Right now it's only by the donations of the people."

Foor said that there may come a "practical point" when funds are gone and paying attorneys and expert witnesses becomes difficult, if not impossible.

"Right now, we're committed," he said. "We're going to need the community."

The board's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10 at , when traffic testimony is expected. Though meetings are usually scheduled for the last Thursday of each month, the board had scheduled November's meeting earlier to accommodate the Thanksgiving holiday.