The gas station at 1854 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, N.J., Sept. 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
A gas station on Hooper Avenue in Toms River’s Silverton section would be converted to a car rental center should it receive approval from the township’s planning board later this month.
The seemingly long-abandoned filing station located at 1854 Hooper Avenue is owned by Hooper Avenue Properties, LLC, and sits on a 19,991 square foot parcel on the westerly side of Hooper Avenue, at the corner of Moore Road.
According to a planning document, the owner of the property is seeking to convert the existing gas station into a motor vehicle rental and sales facility with new site improvements. The improvements will include a new solid waste storage area, new pavement striping to delineate drive aisles, landscaping, employee parking and vehicle display areas, as well as handicap parking and “other associated improvements.”
The gas station at 1854 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, N.J., Sept. 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
The gas station at 1854 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, N.J., Sept. 2022. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
The redeveloper does not require any use variances since the parcel is located within the highway business zone, however several routine “bulk” variances are required due to the shape of the lot and its frontage on Hooper Avenue. Variances are also required for setbacks and signage related to the display of vehicles.
The application will be heard at the Sept. 21 planning board meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the township municipal complex.
