Law will set
limit on time
builders have
to start work
JACKSON — The Township Commit-tee unanimously adopted on second reading at its July 14 meeting an ordinance that will place time limits on approvals granted to builders for projects in Jackson.
"This is another step in slowing down residential growth in Jackson," said Deputy Mayor Sean Giblin. "The township has taken the position that extensions don’t serve the best interests of those in town."
"This is a very good ordinance and I, too, vote yes," Mayor Michael Kafton said.
Even the committee’s sole Republican member, Josh Reilly, who had abstained from voting on the ordinance on its first reading and introduction, voted to approve the measure on its second reading.
According to the ordinance, preliminary approvals granted by the Planning Board will become void after three years. A hardship clause would allow certain exceptions.
"If they don’t build it in three years, they’re going to lose [the approval]," Kafton said.
The committee also approved on second reading an ordinance that amended the official map of Jackson to include color-coded areas that would target developments the township may decide to purchase for passive or active recreation space in the future.
The map included what environmental engineer Ian Borden, who has in the past testified on behalf of developers applying to build in Jackson, described to the Tri-Town News at a July 1 meeting of the Environmental Commission as a $50 million wish list.
The yellow sections on the map designate large, expensive tracts of land where such properties as Towne Centre, a proposed residential, commercial and artists village, are located.
Despite an intensive public relations campaign since last year, property owner Mitch Leigh was unable to get the area rezoned as a town center. Instead, he will seek final approval of the first phase of his original 1989 approval for 1,641 homes. The application was scheduled to be heard at Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting.
The residential component of Towne Centre as Leigh proposed it last year would have incorporated as many as 5,400 homes.
While the yellow shaded areas drew the attention of Borden, the white areas left blank on the map caught the eye of board member Samuel DePasquale, Jackson’s public safety director, during the board’s July 8 meeting, when the map was presented to that body for approval as well.
Pointing to a blank area on the map where he said a horseshoe-shaped development was supposed to be located, DePasquale said, "Obviously the map isn’t complete."
Township Planner Rick Ragan acknowledged the fact that the map was still incomplete, but said his office was trying to get an updated one.
That fact did not dim the board’s enthusiasm.
"I think it’s wonderful that the committee is being proactive," said board Vice Chairman Gary Spinner.
The board unanimously approved the new map as well.
— Joyce Blay