UPPER FREEHOLD — Landowners along Route 537 whose zoning could change from Highway Development (HD) to Community Commercial (CC) protested at the Dec. 18 public hearing, and the governing body listened.
The Township Committee voted unanimously against changing the zoning, which had been recommended by Township Planner Charles Newcomb.
Former Mayor William Miscoski told the committee that he was highly opposed to the change. He said he knew of at least three people who spent thousands of dollars coming up with development plans that were allowed when they bought their land, but would not be if the zoning were changed.
“It’s wrong to say ‘Take your plans and shove them,’ ” he said. “We need ratables in this town.”
Glenn Gobel, who bought a parcel on Route 537 three years ago for a planned car wash, ice cream store and office space, said he has spent more than $70,000 on his development plans. He said the township’s plan to change the zoning was unfair to him and other people along the corridor.
Doug Walsh, the developer of the Cox’s Corner business park, said the township needs an HD zone.
“You’re not evenhanded with your decision up here,” he said.
Walsh noted that Monmouth County owns much of the land that is 400-500 feet off Route 537 and alleged that this would preclude development there from looking “like the Quakerbridge Mall.”
New York City-based real estate developer Kenneth Hennick said he had purchased several properties on Route 537 and invested over $2 million in development plans. He looked at the permitted uses before he bought the land, he said.
“I’m appalled to find out the town doesn’t want that zoning. It’s not in the best interests of the town,” he said.
Steve Catalano, who owns a campground along Route 537 and would not be affected by a zoning change, said the township’s notice concerning the change was unclear.
“It should have specified all the details of the new zoning,” he said.
According to Catalano, the proposed ordinance would “erase years of good zoning.”
Another landowner, Joe San Nicola, said CC development would increase traffic in the area. Earlier in the evening, the Monmouth County engineer gave a presentation about increased traffic along Sharon Station Road.
San Nicola also said CC zoning may increase the township’s Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) obligation, which is linked to job creation. He suggested that the township look over the permitted uses in the HD zone, and exclude uses they did not want there, rather than change the actual zoning to CC.
Newcomb said that 17 percent of the property along Route 537 is owned by the county, 11 percent is in farmland preservation, and 25 percent is used for residential units. He said over half of the zone does not have typical HD uses.
Newcomb did agree with San Nicola that the township should review the uses in the HD zone.
Deputy Mayor Bob Faber said he thought the zoning should be left unchanged, and the rest of the committee agreed.
Committeeman David Reed said, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”