JACKSON ZONING BOARD TABLES APPLICATION FOR 16 HOMES ON EAST VETERANS HIGHWAY

Jackson Township's Zoning Board last night tabled an application to construct 16 single family homes off of East Veterans Highway near Royal Grove and Butterfly Road.

The property consists of approximately 21.05 acres. It is located in the R-1 zoning district which permits 1 lot per 1 acres when sewer is provided, and only 1 lot per 3 acres when sewer is not provided. 

The developer, BMH Property 1 LLC, who was represented by Attorney Adam Pfeffer and Engineer Ian M. Borden of Lakewood-based Professional Design Services, previously received Township Planning Board Major Subdivision approval for 16 single family homes at a density of 1 lot per 1.3 acres, with sewer. Subsequently, the developer was told by the Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority that their sewer system in this area has reached capacity and a massive sewer extension project is likely 5 years away. As such, any new homes built now would require septic systems (for which only a density of 7 homes is permitted).

As such, the developer last night presented an application to the Zoning Board seeking a Use of Density Variance for permission to construct the same 16 single family homes on 1 lot per 1.3 acres, with septic tanks.

According to the architectural plans which were submitted, the proposed homes would have 5 bedrooms with an unfinished basement. Mr. Pfeffer represented to the Board that the proposed septic tanks would be designed and permitted for the 5-bedroom homes they are proposing.

The application was bifurcated without final Subdivision plans as the developer has not yet calculated the final design and location of the septic systems - the developer was hoping to receive the prerequisite Density Variance prior to expending funds of Subdivision plans which would be useless if the Board does not grant the Density Variance.

Ultimately, Board members decided they were uncomfortable voting on a bifurcated application until they see the exact lot sizes which will only be possible once the Subdivision plans are complete and submitted.

Instead of voting on the Density Variance, Board members tabled the application and directed the developer to return to the Board on March 1, 2023, with a complete Use Variance and Subdivision application. At that point the Board will decide on the merits of the complete application, whether to deny or approve the application.

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