Long Branch Planning Board to Review 20-Apartment Broadway Project; Environmental Commission Eyes Liberty Park Trees
Long Branch officials have two recent meetings on the books, though outcomes remain unconfirmed: both the Environmental Commission and Planning Board met in late July, but minutes have not yet been published for either. Based on the published agendas, the most consequential item was a mixed-use development proposal at 369–375 Broadway that would bring 20 two-bedroom apartments and ground-floor retail to the city.
Planning Board: Reorganization and Development Applications
The Planning Board met July 21 for a reorganization and to review several development applications. According to the agenda, the board swore in two new members: Paulo Barateiro (Class III, term ending June 30, 2027) and Mario Vieira (Class IV, term ending December 31, 2027). The board was also set to elect a chair, vice-chair, and secretary; the agenda lists Anthony Smith as vice-chair and Edward Thomas as secretary.
The largest application on the agenda was PB 24-06, a mixed-use building at 369–375 Broadway in the Oceanfront-Broadway zone. The proposal calls for 948 square feet of ground-floor retail and 20 two-bedroom residential units, with a rooftop deck and fire pit.
Two other applications were listed:
- **PB 26-01:** A three-story, four-family residential building at 336 Ocean Boulevard in Zone R-6. The agenda indicates this item was carried to August 18.
- **PB 26-02:** A two-story office/warehouse at 163 Washington Street in Zone MB. This item was also carried to August 18.
The board was also scheduled to consider PB 21-H, a second one-year extension request for a prior approval at 648 Second Avenue.
Because minutes have not been published, no votes or final decisions from this meeting can be reported.
Environmental Commission: Liberty Park Tree Planting
The Environmental Commission met July 20. The agenda included a proposal to plant 8–10 trees at the northwest corner of Union Avenue and Liberty Street at Liberty Park.
Other agenda items were:
- Approval of the May 18, 2026 minutes
- Appointment of a co-chair and secretary
- Discussion of commission member term expirations and renewals
- Treasurer's report
As with the Planning Board, minutes have not been published, so no actions taken at this meeting can be confirmed.
What This Means for Residents
The Broadway mixed-use proposal, if approved, would add 20 two-bedroom apartments and roughly 948 square feet of retail space along a corridor the city has designated for Oceanfront-Broadway zoning. The carried-over applications at 336 Ocean Boulevard and 163 Washington Street are set to return August 18.
The Liberty Park tree planting, while modest in scale, would add greenery to a specific intersection in the city.
Coming Up
No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days. The Planning Board's carried items — PB 26-01 at 336 Ocean Boulevard and PB 26-02 at 163 Washington Street — are noted for August 18, though that date falls outside the current 14-day window and is not listed in the official upcoming meetings schedule.
Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 20 Environmental Commission and July 21 Planning Board meetings should watch for published minutes from those bodies.