Planners OK
135 homes on
By kathy baratta
Staff Writer
HOWELL — US Home, Freehold Township, has received final approval to construct 135 homes on the 203-acre Schuch-Hascup tract on Route 524 between Howell and Havens Bridge roads. After more than a year of legal wrangling, the final major subdivision approval was granted by the Planning Board in a 4-2 vote on Nov. 7.
There has been ongoing litigation with regard to this application following the Township Council’s rezoning of the area more than a year ago to ARE-6.
After initially being rejected by the Planning Board, US Home took up a court challenge of the denial.
Coincidental to the board’s rejection of the project was the township’s rezoning of the area to ARE-6 (one home per 6 acres).
State Superior Court Judge Lawrence Lawson held for US Home and said the township had to again hear the application according to all zoning and ordinances that were applicable when US Home first submitted its plans for the Manasquan River Park development on a mixed zone of ARE-1 and ARE-2 (homes on 1- and 2-acre lots).
No variances were being sought, but the developer did need waivers to allow existing structures to remain. The existing buildings are a barn and an outbuilding presently belonging to one of the property owners, Abe Hascup, who will remain living on 7 acres of the site and continue to farm his homestead. The Schuch family will also remain on the property.
According to project engineer John Truhan, the northern border of the property that abuts the Griebling School on Havens Bridge Road would have a 50-foot landscape buffer featuring 80 evergreen trees. He said US Home will widen Route 524 and already has county approval for the work. Havens Bridge Road will be widened to 30 feet.
There will be six open space lots in the new development and three detention basins that will be designed to function as "dry" basins.
Truhan explained that traditionally, dry basins grade down to the center where the drains are placed.
The southern basin of the development, earmarked for recreational use, will have an elevated grade in the middle that will force rainwater runoff to drains placed at each end of the field/basin.
During public questioning, resident Barbara Dixel asked Planning Board attorney Louis Rago about the town’s ongoing appeal of Lawson’s decision.
Rago said the appeal would be reflected in the conditions of the resolution of approval.
Attempts by Greater Media News-papers to contact Rago for clarification of the appeal were unsuccessful.
Regarding an existing gravel farm road, board engineer Greg Valesi told the board US Home should "look to improving the road to sustain emergency vehicles."
US Home attorney John Giunco said the builder would put in grass pavers in order to comply.
Following the approval, Robert Calabro, executive vice president of land development for US Home, said the firm expects to break ground in the spring.