Toms River, New Jersey

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Board of Adjustment reviewed new applications for a single-family dwelling and a retail building. Several previous variance requests were approved during this meeting.

• Approved Bulk Variance: 49 Edith Court (Appeal #13976)
• Approved Bulk Variance: 29 Pilot Road (Appeal #13979)
• Approved Bulk Variance: 219 Kathryn Street (Appeal #13982)
• Approved Use and Bulk Variance: 201 South Lagoon Road (Appeal #13983)
• Public Hearing: New 3-story single family dwelling at 48 West Rutherford Lane

Township Council

The Toms River Township Council will vote on lowering speed limits on Walnut Street and adding stop signs at seven intersections. The body will also approve a $158,000 contract for rock salt and consider an amended resolution for a fireworks display permit.

• Lower speed limit on Walnut Street from 40 to 35 mph
• Add stop signs at seven intersections
• Authorize $158,000 purchase of rock salt
• Amend budget for 2026
• Approve fireworks display permit for Shelter Cove Beach

The Council approved a speed limit reduction on Walnut Street and amended zoning for an affordable housing project at 2008 Route 37. They also approved the May 13, 2026, meeting minutes.

• Approved May 13, 2026, meeting minutes (7-0)
• Reduced Walnut Street speed limit from 40 to 35 MPH (7-0)
• Amended zoning for affordable housing project at 2008 Route 37 (7-0)

Planning Board

The Toms River Planning Board will hold a public hearing for a preliminary and final major site plan with variances by Dover Parkade, LLC for a 13,500 sq ft retail pad at 2360 Lakewood Road. The board will also hear a minor site plan with variances for signage and a 72 sq ft addition at 71 Route 37 East. Additionally, the board will adopt minutes from seven prior meetings and act on a resolution approving a minor site plan for Tommy's Toms River LLC at 1279 Hooper Ave. A courtesy review of a new 364 sq ft building by the Ocean County Utilities Authority at 2224 South Street is also on the agenda.

• Preliminary & final major site plan with variances – Dover Parkade, LLC for 13,500 sq ft retail pad at 2360 Lakewood Road (block 146, lots 7&8)
• Minor site plan with variances – 71 Route 37 East LLC for site signage and 72 sq ft addition at 71 Route 37 East (block 644, lot 1.01)
• Resolution of approval – Tommy’s Toms River LLC for a 600 sq ft addition at 1279 Hooper Ave (block 578.02, lot 2)
• Courtesy review – Ocean County Utilities Authority new 364 sq ft building at 2224 South Street (block 724.70, lot 24.02)
• Rescheduled application – Jesus Is Lord Fellowship minor site plan at 2236 Massachusetts Ave moved to June 17 meeting

Township Council

The Township Council will vote on ordinances regarding municipal vehicle use and the vacation of a public right in Germania Court. They are also discussing the placement of seven new stop signs and the elimination of health benefits for members of the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority.

• Proposed elimination of health benefits for Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority members
• Proposed placement of stop signs at seven intersections
• Vacating public right in Germania Court between Route 37 West and Wren Place
• Certification of the annual audit for the year 2025
• Acceptance of performance guarantees for site plans at 2032 Route 37, Route 37 and Bimini Drive, and 1606 Lakewood Road

The Council approved an ordinance to install stop signs at seven intersections. A proposal to eliminate health benefits for Municipal Utilities Authority members was tabled, and a new ordinance defining official business for municipal vehicle use was passed.

• Approved April 22, 2026 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved stop sign placements at seven intersections (7-0)
• Tabled ordinance to eliminate health benefits for TRMUA members (3-2; 1 abstained)
• Approved ordinance defining 'Official Business' and restrictions for municipal vehicles (4-3)

Planning Board

The Toms River Planning Board will vote on resolutions approving previously granted site plans for a McDonald's restaurant, a car wash, and a medical center expansion. The board will also hold public hearings on a sign variance for a church, an extension for a 15-lot subdivision by Clearbrook Homes, and a minor site plan for a building addition at Tommy's Toms River LLC. Additionally, the Ehrhardt minor subdivision application has been rescheduled to June.

• Resolution approving McDonald's USA LLC site plan (3,964 sq ft restaurant) at 1256 Indian Head Road.
• Resolution approving Spark Car Wash LLC site plan (4,841 sq ft) at 981 Route 37.
• Resolution approving Community Medical Center Phase 2 General Development Plan (41.5 acres) at 99 Route 37.
• Public hearing on Clearbrook Homes LLC request for extension of time for preliminary & final major subdivision with variances (15 lots) at 830 W. Briar Ave.
• Public hearing on Tommy's Toms River LLC minor site plan with variances (600 sq ft addition) at 1279 Hooper Ave.

Zoning Board of Adjustment

The Toms River Zoning Board will hold public hearings on three applications: a garage addition on Windsor Ave, deck and floor area changes on Ocean Road, and a new single-family dwelling on West Rutherford Lane with density, height, and parking variances. An application for 3217 Route 37 has been carried to the May 14 meeting.

• 3304 Windsor Ave: garage addition with front, side, and combined side yard setback variances (R-75 zone)
• 3152 Ocean Road: replace/enclose decks, add bicycle shed, with floor area ratio and side yard variances (R-40B zone)
• 29 West Rutherford Lane: new dwelling requiring density (34.4 vs 23 units/acre), height (31' vs 20'), and parking (1 vs 2 spaces) variances (SMF zone)
• Application for 3217 Route 37 (Conditional Use, Bulk Variance, Major Site Plan) carried to May 14 by applicant's request

Township Council

The Township Council is considering several ordinances to establish new affordable housing zones at Jamestowne Village, 2008 Route 37, and the Hooper-Claudina Redevelopment Area. The agenda also includes a first reading for an ordinance defining official business for municipal vehicle use and a resolution to purchase fifteen 4-wheel drive vehicles.

• Affordable housing zone at Jamestowne Village (Block 610) to generate 42 units
• Affordable housing zone at 2008 Route 37 to generate 4 units
• Amendment to Hooper-Claudina Redevelopment Plan to increase density for 6 additional units
• Renewal lease agreement with Docksider Marina LLC for a recreational kayak launch
• Purchase of fifteen 4-wheel drive vehicles not to exceed $841,875.00

The council approved two ordinances: a renewal lease with Docksider Marina for a kayak launch at $8,500 per year (7-0), and a new EMF-23 Multifamily Zone to generate 42 affordable housing units at Jamestowne Village (6-1). Also designated May 22, 2026, as National Poppy Day via a proclamation.

• Approved April 8, 2026, meeting minutes (7-0)
• Designated May 22, 2026, as National Poppy Day by proclamation
• Approved renewal lease with Docksider Marina LLC for township-operated kayak launch at $8,500/year for 2 years, renewable for additional 2 years (7-0)
• Adopted EMF-23 Multifamily Zone ordinance to generate 42 affordable housing units at Block 610, Lots 1,2,3,5,11,30,31,33 (Jamestowne Village) (6-1)

Planning Board

The Toms River Planning Board will consider three ordinance amendments: adding a new EMF-23 Multi-Family Zone, a new HB-MF Highway Business Multi-Family Zone, and amending the Hooper-Claudina Redevelopment Plan to increase affordable housing density from 10 to 18 units per acre. The board also has resolutions to approve a 13-lot subdivision at 1556 Church Road and a redevelopment of the existing shopping center at 1220 Hooper Ave, both approved at the March 18 meeting. New applications include a McDonald's restaurant at 1256 Indian Head Road, a car wash at 981 Route 37, and Phase 2 of Community Medical Center's general development plan at 99 Route 37.

• Ordinance creating new EMF-23 multi-family zone
• Ordinance creating new HB-MF highway business multi-family zone
• Amendment to Hooper-Claudina Redevelopment Plan: affordable housing density from 10 to 18 units per acre
• Preliminary & final major subdivision with variances – 1556 Church Road (13 lots)
• Preliminary & final major site plan – McDonald's USA LLC at 1256 Indian Head Road (3,964 sq ft restaurant)

Township Council

The council will hold final reading of an ordinance creating an affordable housing overlay zone on Block 171, Lots 23 and 42. First readings include ordinances to establish two new affordable housing zones (EMF-23 and HB-MF) and an amendment to the Hooper-Claudina Redevelopment Plan to increase density. The council will also introduce the 2026 municipal budget, authorize a $370,646 ambulance purchase, and approve a consent agenda with various site plan guarantees and a fireworks permit.

• Final reading: Affordable housing overlay zone at Block 171, Lots 23 and 42.
• First reading: New EMF-23 Multifamily Zone at Jamestowne Village (Block 610) to generate 42 affordable units.
• First reading: HB-MF Zone at 2008 Route 37 to generate 4 affordable units atop existing retail.
• Resolution introducing 2026 municipal budget and setting public hearing date.
• Consent: Purchase of ambulance for police department for $370,646.

The Council approved a resolution requiring all elected members to complete municipal governance training within 60 days. Additionally, the Council authorized the retention of special affordable housing counsel.

• Approved March 2025, 2026 Council Meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved amended March 11, 2026 Council Meeting minutes (7-0)
• Approved mandatory training for all elected Council members (7-0)
• Authorized retention of special affordable housing counsel (7-0)