Preferred Real Estate is the contract purchaser of the 475-acre Lucent property in Holmdel and for the past year or so has been negotiating the partial rezoning of the property with certain members of the Holmdel Township Committee. Apparently the buyer contends that its purchase would now not be economically viable unless it is permitted to build (restricted) single-family residential units in the rezoned area(s). The Township Committee negotiators accepted this position and on March 22 submitted two proposals from Preferred for restricted units for public discussion at a workshop meeting.
At that meeting almost every speaker thanked the committee for holding a workshop meeting. But thanked them for what?
For many months committeemen Terence Wall (R) and Larry Fink (D) had requested that the Preferred Real Estate matter be placed on the agenda, but being a minority, they were unsuccessful. Now, instead of this workshop meeting being focused initially on whether to change the zoning to permit residential zoning, two plans – each calling for restricted residential housing – were distributed for discussion. In logic, it’s like assuming what you have to prove.
As news of the proposed workshop spread, Citizens for Informed Land Use (CILU) realized how housing on this site would negatively impact Holmdel. A campaign to solicit signatures on a petition to stop the housing began and in two weeks, 650 signatures had been obtained. Wall had a similar petition on his Web site where he received another 500 named supporters.
Holmdel residents should thank CILU and Wall for their efforts to enlighten local residents. Particular thanks should be given to Ralph and Jennie Blumenthal, Anne Morrison, Tom and Sede Spang, and Ann and Sam Schramko, as well as to the many others who participated in this civic cause. But no thanks is particularly due to the control block on the Holmdel Township Committee.
Currently the Lucent property is zoned office laboratory. Last year Preferred advised that the residential component must be addressed before moving on the office laboratory section in order that the project be economically viable. This aspect was reiterated during the workshop, based on a recent letter to residents from Preferred. More than a year ago Wall took the initiative to develop a corporate campus plan for the property that did not include residential units. Unfortunately, this plan languished.
Holmdel residents should continue to be polite but also should request more disclosures from the governing body.
Valerie and Lincoln Niess
Holmdel