Holman vehicle reconditioning center on Church Road approved by Mount Laurel Planning Board.

A Holman Automotive Group Inc. vehicle reconditioning center on Church Road in Mount Laurel that will bring more jobs into the area was approved Tuesday by the Planning Board.

The site — on just over nine acres next to TD Bank University — now is used as a Holman parking lot, but will be transformed into a 64,693-square-foot operation with parking for about 400 vehicles, including 173 on the roof of the building, Holman representatives told board members.

Board members approved preliminary and final major site plans and several variances for the project, which is in the industrial zone.

Daniel Allen, Northeast director of real estate for Mount Laurel-based Holman, said the centralized reconditioning plant for new and used vehicles will free up space at the various Holman dealerships.

"Most of our shops are at or have exceeded capacity, which is causing delayed scheduling time for our customers," Allen explained to the board.

Between three and five car carriers a day that normally go to the retail dealerships now will unload at the Holman center on Church Road. 

New vehicles will be prepared for sale and used cars may undergo light reconditioning before being taken to one of the Holman dealerships, he said. "The goal is to turn vehicles in three to five days," Allen said.

Allen said the center may eventually bring 100 new jobs to the area. 

However, in the beginning, the plant will employ under 50 for the first couple of years and grow to close to 85 in the fifth year, he explained.

The hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The site is not open to the public and is for Holman internal uses only.

The construction site is bordered by wetlands, so Holman is seeking the necessary permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Holman Enterprises Inc. is privately held, according to the application. Melinda K. Holman is chairman and trustee of various trusts, controlling a 39.8% interest; Katherine A. Mullin, executive vice president and trustee of various trusts, controls 18.4%; other family members collectively control 30.1% and employees control 11.7%, according to the application.