Toms River: Building moratorium needed in northwest part of town?

TOMS RIVER - Could a study of sewer capacity in the township's northwest section lead to a building moratorium here?

Councilman George E. Wittmann Jr. believes it can.

Wittmann suggested Jan. 2 that the township ask the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority to conduct such a study.

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"I'm suggesting a one-year moratorium on new development until the study is finished," Wittmann said.

The northwestern section of Toms River has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with more than 1,400 housing units either approved or under construction and more likely on the way.

At least 20 percent of the units in each of those projects have been set aside as affordable housing.

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The rapid development in North Dover, particularly the areas near the Lakewood border and along the Route 9 corridor, has angered many residents who live in the formerly rural area.

It is probably the primary reason that three Democats won seats on the Township Council in November. The Democrats – Council members Laurie Huryk, Daniel Rodrick and Terrance Turnbach – all ran on a platform of reducing overdevelopment.

Republicans still hold a 4 to 3 edge on the council.

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GOP Councilman Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr. said that he is amenable to Wittmann's suggestion.

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"I think it's a good idea to have the TRMUA evaluate the sewer capacity," Hill said. He also said the township should move aggressively to preserve open space.

A nonbinding referendum on the November ballot asked residents if they think Toms River should buy up to 250 acres of property for preservation or potential recreational use.

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The referendum was approved by a margin of 82 percent to 18 percent, with 17,949 voting in favor, and 3,852 voting against it.

Wittmann suggested the township spend $40 million to preserve up to 200 acres of open space this year.

The township has been trying to purchase property in the area in recent years, to preserve it as open space or, perhaps, to development it for recreational use.

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Last year, the council agreed to spend $10.3 million to buy 56 acres of land off Route 9, between Riverwood Drive and Cox Cro Road.

Another planned purchase is an eight-acre former horse farm on Cox Cro that is expected to cost about $900,000.

Hill said the township will have to use eminent domain to acquire both the old horse farm property and about 35 of the 56-acre parcel between Riverwood Drive and Cox Cro.

The 35 acres, located off Route 9 near Riverwood Drive, are owned by the Guttman family, who previously operated a poultry farm on the land.

A Lakewood developer has proposed building about 100 townhouse units and up to 80,000 square feet of commercial space on the Guttman property.

Hill said the township is considering a purchase of about 10 acres of land on New Hampshire Avenue. The land owner is interested in selling to Toms River, he said.

Last year, Toms River reached an agreement with a housing advocacy group that will require the township to provide 1,285 units of affordable housing by 2025.

Toms River's 1,285-unit quota is the fourth-highest in the state.

Though the agreement has been criticized by Democrats and many residents, township officials believed it protected Toms River from having to provide even more housing units here.

Had Toms River not reached an agreement with the Fair Share Housing Center, the township would have been subject to so-called builders' remedy lawsuits.

Builders who file such suits typically seek to construct more housing on a particular tract than may be permitted under township zoning laws, in exchange for setting aside a certain number of the units as affordable housing.

Township officials have long complained about the state's affordable housing process, saying northern Toms River does not have the transportation infrastructure – or the jobs – to support so much additional housing.

Jean Mikle: 732-643-4050, @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com