HOWELL — A new adult community recently received preliminary site plan approval from the Howell Planning Board. Harvest Ridge is expected to include 250 age-restricted homes on property along West Farms Road.
The board granted approval after the applicant committed to providing an access road from Snyder Road on the east side of the development and to making improvements at the intersection of West Farms and Fort Plains roads.
The applicant, Harvest Ridge and Howell Land Improvement LLC, sought approval for 258 lots: 251 lots for agerestricted homes, six lots to remain as open space, and one lot for a pump station.
The Harvest Ridge parcel totals 128 acres — 101 acres in Howell in a Residential Adult Community zone and 27 acres in neighboring Freehold Township in a Rural Environmental zone along Georgia Road.
All 251 homes in the adult community will be built in Howell.
The properties in Howell and Freehold Township are bisected by Snyder Road, a 33-foot-wide right of way having partially paved and partially dirt sections and intersecting West Farms Road.
Attorney William Mehr, who represented the applicant, confirmed to Greater Media Newspapers that Harvest Ridge has committed to creating the second access road and to making the intersection improvements.
Mehr said the Snyder Road access will be gated and designated for residents. Visitors to the adult community will use the main entrance on West Farms Road.
Voting yes on the motion for approval were board Chairman Vincent Tantillo and board members Patrice Hayslett, Norbert Nowicki, Curtis Vislocky and Howell Councilman Robert Nicastro.
Voting no on the Harvest Ridge motion were board members Evelyn O’Donnell and Maria Portilla.