GARWOOD — During the Garwood Planning Board meeting last Wednesday, two long-intended applications essentially giving the borough the ability to enlarge the fire department’s parking lot, approved a move that was in the original plans for development of the Vermella sites.

Christopher Mink from Russo Development spoke on behalf of South Avenue Urban Renewal LLC regarding redeveloping the Vermella parking lots.

Applications PB 24-03 and PB 2404 will allow redevelopers to create a minor subdivision of Vermella Lots 3 into 1.03 and another minor subdivision in Vermella Lots 1.01 into Lot 7, which is the Garwood Fire Department building. This will merge a portion of Lot 1.03 into Lot 7, which will still be owned by the borough.

“The intent of the application is simply to achieve a goal that was set in motion probably back in 2018, which was part of our phase-one approval for Garwood station,” said Mr. Mink.

This will prevent the borough from having a split title with South Avenue Urban Renewal. Instead, the redeveloper would split Lot 7 for phase two of the development project and give Garwood the deed of that subdivided area.

Doug Bartels, a Russo Development engineer, presented an aerial map of Vermella to planning board members to visually show that Lot 7 currently is 12,500 square feet and that 27,000 square feet from Lot 1.01 will be merged to honor the borough’s request.

Board member Stephen Greet opened the floor to questions.

“I don’t have any questions since we’ve been looking at these two pieces. I remember this. I think it was one of my suggestions — why don’t we just swap those, you know, way back, and so I’m glad we are finally going forward,” said Kathleen Villaggio.

Both applications were unanimously passed except for votes from Councilwoman Kimberly Salmon, William Nierstedt, Steve Barcan and David Beyers, who were absent from the meeting.