EDITORIAL
By: Ruth Luse
About 14 months ago in this column, we said, "Tonight … the Hopewell Township Committee will continue its discussion with members of the public on ordinances that would make some major changes in the township’s zoning."
We repeat that statement this week, because the public hearing on the Hopewell Township Committee’s second attempt to downzone (reduce the permitted intensity of land-use of three-fourths of the 58-square-mile township) will continue tonight, Sept. 6. The hearing began at a special meeting Aug. 23.
As we did last summer, we urge all Hopewell Township residents who have something to say about the rezoning plans to attend this township forum. It begins at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
As most concerned township landowners already know, the committee’s first downzoning attempt was invalidated on a technicality by state Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg this spring. It failed because the township had neglected to send legal notices about the proposals to all property owners who should, under the law, have received them.
Thus, the committee, which plans to stick to its downzoning plans, is going to adopt three similar ordinances soon perhaps as early as this evening.
Township Mayor Marylou Ferrara said Aug. 23 that those unable to attend the Sept. 6 public hearing may submit comments or questions in writing and that the committee will respond to the public commentary after it is all in.
We sincerely hope concerned landowners who cannot attend tonight’s session already have done as the mayor requested. If not, then only a few hours remain for those who want their comments on the record to submit them.
We do, however, suggest as we did over a year ago that committee members put off their decisions on these rezoning schemes until they have had a chance to study in depth all input they get from tonight’s meeting. There might be some good ideas among the comments made or opinions submitted by landowners and community members.
We know current officials want, with these plans, to preserve Hopewell Township’s semi-rural character for the foreseeable future. We have no problem with their vision, but we feel decisions of this nature should be made only after as much public input as possible particularly if a little more effort could help avoid lawsuits of the kind that were filed after the first downzoning attempt.
Obviously, there is no way any downzoning undertaking will please all property owners. But, township officials should make every effort to show good faith by taking into account the fact that land always has been a highly valued possession and that people will fight to protect their right to use it as they see fit.

