Activity Report
January 2005

• Skeba and Dey Farms:

  Both development proposals were accepted by the Hamilton Township Planning Board (one in January, the other in February). Save Hamilton Open Space (SHOS) had hired a stormwater expert to review the plans for the Skeba farm, but when the Planning Board met in February, the developers presented a new plan, making the SHOS null and void.

• Laura Avenue:

  Permission was granted by the Hamilton Township Planning Board to develop this site, which borders on the Assunpink Creek. The closest distance from the development to the creek is 50 feet. Were the creek to be granted C1 status (there is a petition pending), the minimum distance would have to be 300 feet. However, since approval was granted, the developer would not have to change his plans if the creek's status were to be changed.

• ShopRite:

  Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg reversed the Hamilton Township Planning Board's denial of Levin Management's permit. She ruled that the Planning Board went beyond its purview in denying the permit. Levin did not agree to re-orient the shopping center, link to the neighboring center, nor remove access from Klockner Road. Rumors are that Levin is talking to the owners of the neighboring shopping center about making changes to the plans, but there is no evidence of this. SHOS and the Central Jersey Group will pursue the matter with the DEP and Soil Conservation District, since permits from both of these agencies must be obtained before development can begin. Stuart Lieberman, the attorney for SHOS, suggested that there is more SHOS can do to win this.