By Deborah Smarth
At the Aug. 22 meeting of the Manalapan Township Committee, I requested that the governing body consider initiating a meeting with State Agriculture Development Committee and state Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres program representatives at which the property owner/developer of the 125-acre parcel at Millhurst Road and Route 33 (Manalapan Crossing) could also participate.
I contacted those agencies recently and they indicated they would be open to a meeting to discuss options if the municipality was the “initiator” of such a meeting with property owner participation and genuinely interested in exploring saving some open space on that land.
Since the proposed development application is still pending before the Planning Board, I articulated to the governing body that there would be no harm in exploring if there is a possibility in obtaining some state funds to see if some acreage (up to half of the 125 acres) could be saved without jeopardizing the so-called “affordable housing” units currently authorized and in the municipal fair share housing obligation plan.
I specifically stated that a discussion of this nature would be beneficial to all. Perhaps the builder/owner can obtain public funds to retain open space and farmland without jeopardizing other aspects of the development for that site.
The reps with whom I spoke at both state agencies thought it was a rational approach and could be discussed, but since the process has already gone forward with an ordinance and is pending at the Planning Board stage, they indicated they could only come to discuss options with the governing body if the Township Committee initiated the meeting with the property owner/developer’s participation.
At past years’ meetings since citizens initially opposed the development of that parcel of land, I had often suggested seeing how tax dollars we send to Trenton can come back to Manalapan through the Garden State Preservation Trust Fund, the State Agriculture Development Committee and the Green Acres program to leverage with county and municipal open space funds.
However, I felt it was more than appropriate to raise this issue again before this land development application proceeds at the Planning Board level.
Unfortunately, the committee members did not answer the question posed to each of them concerning their sentiments on calling such a meeting, but the township administrator strongly defended the township’s record of saving open space. My meeting comments, however, were specific to this one particular development.
Regarding the committee’s latest ordinance to permit development on property at Woodward Road and Route 33, between the Millhurst Road and Woodward Road proposed developments we are talking about up to 195 acres being developed within a few miles of each location.
That is why the push for open space is an important request. Providing affordable housing is a mandate. Everyone understands that. But, also, providing open space on such developable lands should be part and parcel to any future proposed developments.
The Fair Housing Act should be amended to ensure that in municipalities with remaining open space/farmland, the same public policy weight exists to retain open space/farmland at proposed developments that incorporate affordable housing units or any developable site. The municipality should have such flexibility and authority when setting the rules governing land development.
Deborah Smarth is a resident of Manalapan.
