New plans for Green Grove property outlined for residents
67 detached homes
proposed for tract,
rezoning required
BY CHRISTINEVARNO
Staff Writer
OCEAN TOWNSHIP — The rezoning of an 80-acre tract of land located south of West Park Avenue and east of Green Grove Road was the subject of a township public forum last week, two years after a scandal was uncovered that left the property undeveloped.
The meeting was scheduled specifically to hear the requests and concerns from the residents of the community and no action by the council was taken.
The residents who spoke at the meeting were in support of the project being proposed by Matzel and Mumford Corp., a division of K. Hovnanian, Middletown, but were concerned about the illegal activities that surrounded the last rezoning application for the property.
"If anyone who was involved with the dealings before have even an inkling of involvement with this, I think it should be shot down," Brian Rasp of Oakwood Avenue said. "I think it is wrong if they [those involved with the scandal] benefit."
The council members said they were unable to identify who Matzel and Mumford were purchasing the property from.
In October 2002, former Mayor Terrance Weldon pleaded guilty to accepting a $50,000 bribe from Apple Farms LLC to influence the rezoning or Planning Board approval of the property at Green Grove and West Park, according to David Kochel, the township manager.
The Planning Board had approved an overlay zone that added an option, which allowed 72 homes to be constructed on that property in a clustered fashion, proposed by Apple Farms. Before the construction took place, the scandal was uncovered and the applicant voluntarily withdrew the application.
The Planning Board then rescinded the approval and the council introduced and adopted an ordinance to remove the overlay zone, according to Kochel.
The area was zoned as R-1, which calls for roughly one unit to each acre of property, prior to the scandal and remains as that today.
At last week’s meeting, the rezoning of the property resurfaced.
Matzel and Mumford presented their proposal for 67 detached homes that will be 2,700 square feet to 3,000 square feet in size. It will not be an age-restricted community, but will be targeting buyers who are 40 years and older, according to David Fisher, the vice president of governmental affairs for Matzel and Mumford.
"The layout is not attractive to families with children, particularly young children," Fisher said. "There are no single-family lots, it is all one lot. So [the residents] would have to agree to restrictions."
A homeowner’s association was proposed to maintain the landscaping, keeping the appearance of the community consistent with the plans set forth in the original site plan. Homeowners will be restricted from putting sheds, lawn furniture and play sets on their property, Fisher said, with the exception of patio furniture on patios.
The design includes at least four different models for the homes and a residential courtyard, a club house, a central swimming pool and tennis courts all within the tight-knit community.
An access point to the development will be located off Green Grove Road and an emergency exit that will maintain the appearance of open space, will exist off West Park Avenue.
The houses are estimated to cost between $800,000 and $900,000, according to Fisher.
Damian Sylvia, of the Wayside area, said he hopes they build it.
"I like it," he said. "I think it is a wonderful project. It will not increase children in the school."
"We are here to determine if this is an appropriate use for this land," Mayor William Larkin said. "We as a council have to determine what is best for that land."