U.F. still seeks ratables for Breza Road property
Officials plan to meet with landowner about various uses
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

Upper Freehold

UPPER FREEHOLD - The Planning Board discussed the future of the Commerce Park overlay on a Breza Road tract at its Jan. 23 meeting.

Last year, the New York City-based Rockefeller Group proposed putting 1.8 million square feet of warehouse space on the 254-acre site. The application was withdrawn in late November, after much public opposition.

The Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education will soon decide whether to approve a referendum to acquire part of the property for its new middle school, as the 46-acre parcel on Ellisdale Road that was approved for the school in a 2004 referendum has soil remediation and wastewater issues.

Planning Board member Bob Freiberger, who is also a member of the township's Economic Development Committee (EDC), said the EDC recently voted to keep the overlay, but to look at land uses other than a big-box warehouse for the site. He said the EDC would like to see business ratables on the property. If voters agree to move the school there, he said the businesses should be compatible neighbors to a school.

Mayor Stephen Fleischacker agreed that some sort of compatible commercial ratables should go on the property. He said the board should discuss a combination of possible uses for its next meeting.

Township Planner Mark Remsa asked Freiberger if the EDC discussed specific uses for the tract. Freiberger said the EDC discussed the land in broad terms. He asked if it would be possible for a group of Planning Board and EDC members to meet with the landowner to talk about various uses. Remsa said he did not see any prohibition on a discussion with the landowner.

Vice Chairman Barry Wright asked whether the Township Committee, the Planning Board or the EDC should approach the owner. Remsa said that in some communities, the EDC would have the meeting and report back to the governing body, but that the meeting could also be held jointly with the Planning Board.

Remsa noted that the Planning Board would look at the overlay question from a different perspective than the EDC.

"It may be valuable to have representatives from each," he said, adding that it could be the best approach since it would offer well-rounded representation and multiple viewpoints.