Galloping Hills
project opposed
by ex-mayor
Old Indian grounds part of proposed development
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer
UPPER FREEHOLD — The Township Committee should fight the proposed Galloping Hills subdivision on Emley’s Hill Road and Route 537, Robert Abrams, former committeeman and mayor, said at the Feb. 19 meeting.
"Fifty percent of this land is virgin, unbroken woods," Abrams said. "It’s also part of Indian grounds. You’ve got to stop this before they take one tree out of this forest. Their lot lines are going down to Lahaway Creek."
Township Attorney Granville Magee told Abrams that the subdivision is a matter for the Planning Board.
"At the last Planning Board meeting, the first thing I heard [from a member] was, ‘What about my property rights?’ " Abrams said. "What kind of people do we have living in this township, who don’t give a damn?"
A number of people on the Planning Board share Abrams’ concern about the parcel of land, Mayor John Mele told Abrams.
There has been some discussion with nonprofit land conservation groups about the possibility of preserving the acreage and another proposed development on Arneytown-Hornerstown Road. The latter developer was not interested in selling his property, Mele said.
Committeeman David Horsnall suggested the nonprofit groups review these parcels again.
Resident Lenny Yanchar asked why a build-out analysis had not been done for the town.
"I heard a proposal for 6-acre zoning, and I heard the Township Committee say we don’t need a build-out analysis," Yanchar said.
"Get a build-out analysis, and find out what we can develop," he continued. "Most people in this state cannot afford 6-acre zoning. I’m tired of living in a community that believes all we have to be concerned about is ourselves. Maybe some 1-acre zoning, some 10 [-acre] and 25[-acre zoning], for those who can afford it. Not everyone can. We can’t shut the future out for our kids. Find out what makes sense and what doesn’t make sense."
Mele said he had discussed a build-out analysis with Township Planner Richard Coppola. The problem with proceeding is the township’s temporary operating budget situation, Mele said.
Mele said he would contact the township’s chief financial officer to see whether funds could be made available for the analysis.
In other business, the committee approved a new policy that would allow five minutes per speaker during the public comment period of Township Committee meetings.
The public portion will be limited to a half-hour, although Mele said the time constraint could be waived at the committee’s discretion.
Resident Sue Kozel, who plans to run in the Republican primary for the Township Committee, criticized Mele for his plan to change the Environmental Commission into an environmental advisory board.
Kozel’s term on the Environmental Commis-sion expired on Dec. 31. The committee has made no new appointments since.
Kozel also brought up the subject of tree cutting on the Schaumloeffel property on Meirs Road.
"What steps will be taken to make sure the rest of the forest isn’t cut prior to development?" she asked.
Code Enforcement Officer Ronald Gafgen and Committeeman William Miscoski inspected the site on Jan. 30, Mele said.
Gafgen said in a memo that it did not appear that any trees were removed from wetlands and the cutting did not violate township ordinances, Mele said.
The cutting may have been part of a woodlands management program, he said.
Kozel objected to Miscoski’s participating in the site inspection. She claimed he had been an opponent of a township tree ordinance.
Magee said he was in the final stages of preparing a tree ordinance, which should be ready soon.