We believe that 6-acre zoning is essential if we are to contain property taxes and protect the environment and the aquifer in Upper Freehold.
Smaller lot sizes, such as the current 3 acres, allow more houses to be built in a development. With the clustering and "bonus densities" allowed in our ordinance, 3 acres often means one house per acre in reality.
More houses send more children to school and more students mean a continued rapid increase in school property taxes. More houses and more people also create a greater demand for services that must be funded by property taxes, such as road repairs. The math is simple.
We have both been on record since 2001 favoring lot sizes even higher than 6 acres. The township planner has made a strong case in past master plan discussions that 6-acre lots are sufficient to protect the "carrying capacity" of the land in Upper Freehold, where most of us depend on wells and septic systems. There are also legal decisions upholding 6-acre zoning as fair to all residents. We believe that 6-acre zoning is an excellent compromise that should be implemented as soon as is possible.
Committeeman Steve Alexander is to be commended for successfully moving a resolution that asks the township planner to prepare 6-acre zoning language and justifications for consideration by the Township Committee. Mayor John Mele and Deputy Mayor Dave Horsnall are also to be commended for beginning the process in the Planning Board. Zoning and the master plan should not be a partisan issue. The issue is what is best for most of the residents and taxpayers of Upper Freehold.
Finally, we urge all residents and officials who attend the upcoming public hearings on the master plan to treat each other with respect. The recent use of threats and obscene language at Planning Board and Township Committee meetings by a few residents and officials is simply wrong. Intimidation of speakers and officials by those who disagree with them should not be tolerated.
Robert Faber, Sr.
Chris Berzinski
Democratic candidates
for Township Committee
Upper Freehold