HOWELL — The Township Council has introduced an ordinance that will result in changes regarding permitted uses in the Highway Development (HD-3) zone on Route 33.
The ordinance was introduced on March 16 and proposes the revision of some principal uses in the zone. A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 6 at Town Hall. The council may vote to adopt the ordinance after the public hearing.
According to the ordinance, the purpose of the HD-3 zone is “to provide for highway development along highway corridors that will provide a balance of social, economic and cultural opportunities for residents while maximizing existing transportation and other infrastructure along highway corridors.”
The principal uses for the HD-3 zone will still permit offices; however, the offices must be for business, professional, medical, governmental or educational services, according to the ordinance.
Other permitted principal uses include financial institutions, retail sales and services, medical centers, restaurants with or without drive-up facilities, age-restricted single-family homes and adult daycare facilities.
One key revision to the permitted principal uses is the elimination of hospitals being allowed in the zone. According to municipal officials, there is not enough land for a hospital to be built.
Accessory uses in the HD-3 zone that will still be permitted are conditional uses such as houses of worship, daycare facilities, telecommunication facilities, and gasoline station convenience centers.
Eliminated from conditional uses are schools and commercial breeders, dog kennels, shelters, pounds, dog-training facilities and pet shops, according to the ordinance.
Township Attorney McKenna Torcivia said existing businesses on Route 33 that do not conform to the revised ordinance will not be forced from their location.
“Anything already on the road will be grandfathered in, (if) they have pre-existing approval to be there,” Torcivia said.
Another amendment to the ordinance is the elimination of planned mixed use development.
Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro said a significant problem with planned mixed use developments is the commercial use that is involved with them.
A planned mixed use development is a large parcel of land with commercial aspects, housing, and areas that allow enough walking room, according to Nicastro.
“One of the issues was the commercial elements we required and they were very large requirements, so when we looked at the area of Route 33, we discovered it was not really designed for that. We would also hear from applicants that it was not feasible,” Nicastro said.
According to the ordinance, age-restricted family development requires a minimum tract of 40 acres. No residential structure will be allowed to be closer than 400 feet to Route 33. A berm with landscaping and decorative fencing will be required along the frontage of the development’s property that is along the state highway.