Fence, trees to be placed near Rick's BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer UPPER FREEHOLD - Shade trees and fencing will soon border Rick's Saddle Shop property on the corner of Route 539 and Burlington Path Road. The Planning Board unanimously approved a revised landscaping plan for the site at its Jan. 10 meeting. Richard Tilton, the applicant's attorney, said the property consists of approximately 4 acres in the township's community commercial zone. Tilton called Rick's Saddle Shop a "first-rate, nice-looking business" and said that the new landscape plan would benefit all. The new plan does not require any variances, he said. When his client received final site plan approval in 2003, the tract had a state-owned right of way in the front and on the side, he said. Rick Wills, owner of the business that bears his name, has since purchased the right of way from the state, he said. Planning Board Engineer Glenn Gerken said that the state had planned to put a highway circle on the dedicated land it has since sold back to Wills. The original landscaping plan had not included the right of way, but the new landscaping plan involves placing fencing along the perimeter of the property and shade trees along the former right of way line. "It makes it more rural to have shade trees and fencing out front," Gerken said.B oard member Richard Stern asked if the new plan would hinder the sight triangle at the intersection. Gerken said that the sight triangle is substantial. Board member J. David Holmes asked if the trees would interfere with overhead wires when they mature. Gerken said the trees would be located 20 feet away from the telephone poles, which Wills said he had to reset. Wills cited the shop's community events as one of the reasons he wants to place fencing around the perimeter of the property. The business hosts an Easter egg hunt each year, and last year more than 600 people attended, he said. "The guys at the store stuffed 3,800 eggs," Wills said. Wills said he has concerns about the possibility of children running into the street during such events. He noted that the fence will be costly but said that he would eventually like to fence in the entire property. Board member Bob Freiberger called Wills and his business "a class-one act and an asset to the community."