By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
HILLSBOROUGH — In the aftermath of last month’s second public hearing at the Planning Board for Erickson Retirement Communities conceptual plan for a 1,500-unit senior housing development, several area residents asked Township Committee members Oct. 14 what it all meant.
One resident asked whether residents would again be notified if the Planning Board looks to entertain a proposal that would require zoning changes, as was considered under the recent concept plan that was submitted, and later withdrawn, by Erickson Retirement Communities.
Ken Lazowski, of Anne Street, asked members of the Township Committee if it was really correct to call two previous Planning Board meetings in which residents were encouraged to express their opinions on the Erickson proposal unprecedented, and what that meant for future developer proposals.
”I read that what was going on was unprecedented,” he said. “I want to know if residents will be notified (in the future) before the town’s Master Plan is changed.”
Mayor Anthony Ferrera said that he has implemented a policy that invites residents to comment on major proposals in Hillsborough before any approvals come from the Planning Board and the plan is moved to the Township Committee. In previous years, he said, residents were only notified about impending changes when the plan had come to its second reading and public hearing before the Township Committee.
”I asked that people be notified before plans go to the Planning Board, rather than waiting until they come to second reading at the committee,” he said. “If other changes are (ever) considered, residents will be invited to the Planning Board meeting.”
Mayor Ferrera said the only reason the meetings were unprecedented was because residents had never before been notified prior to the discussion of a concept plan for a major development. He said that, in the future, if there is a proposal that could affect a large number of residents, such as a zoning change, they will again be invited prior to the discussion with the Planning Board.
”If there is a zoning change, people will be notified before the Planning Board,” he said. “If there is a conceptual plan that impacts a specific area, residents will hear about it.”
According to Kevin Davis, township clerk, in the event of the possibility for a major zoning change, the committee is responsible for making the final approval. First, however, he said the zone change must be recommended by the township’s Master Plan Committee, before being sent to the Planning Board and then the Township Committee.
Mr. Lazowski also said he was under the impression that a developer cannot go before the Planning Board with only a concept plan, but must bring a real proposal to be considered. He cited several issues with Erickson’s proposal which calls for 1,500 units for senior citizens age 75 and older on the East Course of the Royce Brook Golf Club, on Hamilton Road including the need for the zoning to be changed and a lack of sewer access on the property.
”I don’t think we got anything out of coming out,” he said.
”I disagree,” Mayor Ferrera countered, saying he was offended by the implication that notifying the residents early was not beneficial. “I think the public brought up a lot of good issues with the proposal.”
Concerns about the plan were expressed again Tuesday as Doug Eden, of Anne Street, said he was unhappy with Erickson’s use of “scare tactics” to convince the town to change the zoning on the golf course from office and commercial to residential. He said Erickson representatives often commented on the fact that if they don’t build their community, an office developer could build on that property and increase traffic and cause other problems that would not be present with the retirement campus.
But, Mr. Eden said, Erickson’s project is itself a very dense area with the amount of units being proposed.
In addition, Mr. Eden recommended that the township considering giving the golf course a greenbelt zoning designation to prevent any future building.
”If Erickson does not come back with a plan, someone else will,” he said.
With a request for the committee to speak to councils in surrounding towns, Manville Borough Council candidate Lou Fischer said he is concerned about the additional runoff that could lead to flooding if Erickson were to build off Hamilton Road, near the Manville border.
”It might pump excess water into Manville,” he said. “I ask that you look into all building site alternatives.”
Mr. Fischer said that, in considering the plan if a new one were to be submitted, the committee should consult with Manville’s borough council and other surrounding towns to minimize effects.

