This letter is being written to document my, and others, serious objections to portions of proposed Manalapan ordinance 2007-25 that would negatively restrict the building of new homes with basements and the bringing in of needed fill dirt for large residential lots that are now required in the new 4-acre residential zone of Manalapan.
Such restrictions are not only unnecessary and oppressive, but will result in a severe financial hardship to land owners, builders, prospective homeowners, local merchants and finally to Manalapan itself.
The initial intent of the above “height” ordinance as reported in the News Transcript on Aug. 29 was to be a restriction on height of new residences on smaller lots in older close-knit sections of Manalapan so that new homes could not be built that would tower over pre-existing neighbors with the result that current residents would not have new people looking down into their windows and yards. To that purpose of the ordinance there is no objection.
However, to have the township planner add additional requirements that could now prohibit basements and the trucking in of needed fill dirt to new residential areas with much larger lot sizes is totally unfair.
New homes, if built, would have to be built on concrete slabs with ugly mounded septic systems in the front yard instead of having beautifully landscaped large homes, many with walkout basements that would practically and aesthetically blend together and add value and prestige to the township.
There was an advertised public hearing on this important matter before the Manalapan Township Committee on Oct. 10 and approximately a dozen residents spoke up against it with another two dozen in the audience adding their support and opposition.
Not one person in the audience spoke up for the proposed ordinance and most curiously, the Manalapan planner who authored the ordinance was not present to answer questions.
The result of the Oct. 10 meeting was that any decision was put off until the next township meeting, which was declared to be on Nov. 7 with the planner present, but curiously the Nov. 7 meeting agenda had not been (posted) on the township’s Internet Web site as of Nov. 5.
Also very interesting is Deputy Mayor Michelle Roth’s statement that the public hearing portion of this matter is now closed, which would indicate that concerned individuals would not be allowed to ask questions of the Manalapan planner at this next meeting. This entire situation appears unfair and undemocratic and all concerned would welcome your support.
Michael D. Sherman
Manalapan

