NEWARK - The longtime owner of a car mechanic's shop at 780 Sanford Ave. whose family has served the Newark’s West Ward community for over 25 years, has had his plans shot down to turn the property into a six-story residential building complete with commercial space.

The Newark Central Planning Board denied the proposal for a mixed-use development with 45 apartments and 19 parking spaces with 3 votes for approval and 4 to deny at its Monday, Aug. 4 meeting.

Board Chair Wayne Richardson, Vice Chair Kalenah Witcher, and board members Leon Purdie and Susan Austin voted against the project. Board members Louise Scott-Rountree, Fausto Baez and Anthony Timmons voted in favor.

Board members didn’t explain their reasoning for rejecting the application during the Aug. 4 meeting.

The applican

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