WESTFIELD -- A plan to demolish the stigmatized and infamous "Watcher" house that was targeted by a mysterious stalker was soundly defeated by township officials Wednesday night.

Planning board members unanimously rejected a plan to raze the home on the Boulevard, sub-divide the nearly half acre lot and build two new houses. Board members said the proposal went against the township's master plan and would damage the neighborhood on the 600 block of the street.

"We should be particularly vigilant in protecting this beautiful block," said board member Francis Smith, whose comments were echoed by other board members. The vote to reject the application came about 11:35 p.m., more than four hours after the meeting started.

The owners of the house, Derek and Maria Broaddus, proposed to replace the house with two homes because they say they can not move into the existing house. Shortly after buying the six-bedroom house for $1.3 million in 2014, the couple, who have children, received three threatening letters from a stalker calling himself "The Watcher."

In one letter, he asked if the new owners had brought him "young blood," a reference to children. The Broadduses refused to move in and said the letters scared off potential buyers.

At the meeting Wednesday, residents living near the house pleaded for the board to reject the redevelopment plan.

More than a dozen residents spoke against the plan, calling the Broaddus' house "magnificent" and "beautiful," and saying the plan to divide the lot would devastate the neighborhood.

"Everyone is united in opposing this plan," resident Ron Bevan told the planning board, drawing applause from the audience. "The people who filed this application are doing this for economic benefit," said Bevan, one of several people who claimed the Broadduses were out to make money.

A few residents spoke in defense of the Broadduses, saying the couple will probably lose money on the properties but were seeking a way to rid themselves of the house.

"If this plan were to go through, it wouldn't be an economic gain for them," said resident Tim McAuliffe.

For more than three and a half hours the planning board listened to residents, as well as to a lawyer for the Broadduses, who defended the application, and to a lawyer for one of the neighbors opposing the plan.

The Broaddus' lawyer, James Foerst had argued that the house was on an over-sized lot, and that five other homes on the street were on lots smaller than the two proposed lots.

Robert Simon, a lawyer for a resident opposing the plan, said the two new lots and houses would be out of character for the neighborhood, and that most lots on the block were larger than required.

Residents praised what they called the beauty of the street, saying it was considered historic, although it was not formally designated as such.

"It is ridiculous that someone would want to tear down one of the most magnificent houses in the town," said another resident.

Foerst, when asked after the meeting if the board decision would be appealed, said he would have to discuss it with his clients.

In June 2014, the Broadduses brought the house from John and Andrea Woods. Within days, the new owners received the first letter. Two more arrived within a month, and included comments about children. The writer said he would learn the names of the children and call them to him.

Police investigated the letters but never found the author.

The house and the stalker gained worldwide attention in June 2015 when the Broadduses filed suit against the Woods, contending the prior owners had also received a letter from the stalker days before they sold the house.

In response, the Woods filed a counter suit, claiming they were damaged by the attention resulting from the litigation. The Woods admitted receiving a strange letter but said it was not threatening.

The lawsuits are still pending in court.

Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.