By Andrew Martins
Staff Writer
JACKSON – Changes in Jackson’s master plan that took effect in 2010 are causing headaches for a group of homeowners today because their once rural residential properties are now designated for limited commercial use.
Several residents of Johnson Lane stood before the Township Council on June 14 to question the thought process behind the 2010 change and to determine what recourse, if any, they may have now.
Johnson Lane runs between Frank Applegate and Bennetts Mills roads.
“The residents on Johnson Lane, having just learned about this rezoning, are all up in arms and very upset,” said Jim Rapp. “As residents, this is impacting us emotionally and financially.”
According to the municipal code book, a limited commercial zone allows for the construction of medical offices, professional offices and healthcare facilities, and businesses such as daycare centers and funeral homes.
Some residents said they feared the designation would change the feel of their neighborhood.
“This property is 800 feet down a dirt road. It is filled with trees, it is filled with families that walk down that dirt road on a regular basis; I don’t understand why it was zoned commercial to begin with,” Theresa Lewis said.
Lewis said it will be difficult for her to find a buyer for a commercial lot.
The residents said they were not notified of any change to the area’s zoning when the change occurred in 2010.
Council Vice President Kenneth Bressi, who serves on the Planning Board and worked on the master plan, said officials are looking into updating the master plan as early as next year.
“It is our intent to reopen the subcommittee for the master plan in (2017) and to begin looking at it,” Bressi said.
Under state guidelines, municipal officials are required to update their town’s master plan every 10 years.
“This (Johnson Lane situation) is not something you can snap a finger at and fix,” Bressi said. “This has to be looked at, but if there is some way to do it quicker and it is correct, maybe we can look into that, but the appropriate time will be when we address the master plan.”
Rapp said he and his neighbors will attend future council meetings to make sure their elected officials understand the impact the master plan is having on their lives and their neighborhood.
“Through the efforts of longtime residents, that neighborhood is full of vitality,” he said. “Our street brims with the sound of laughter and bicycle riding … That all goes away when you lose that safety factor of knowing your neighbors.”