Freehold Township is seeking a zoning ordinance to amend Chapter 190, Article XI Zones and Schedule of Requirements.  The township wants to rezone the land at the corner of Elton-Adelphia and Iron Bridge Road to R-15 lots (15,000 sq ft); it is currently zoned as R-80 (80,000 sq ft lots) and R-E (rural-environmental zone).  Residents must make it clear that this development can not be approved. 

This amendment defies the Freehold Township master plan which describes the area in question as "physiographically different from the central and northern of the Township in terms of vegetation, soils, topography and geology. It constitutes the northern fringe of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. The R-E area ...contains extensive freshwater wetlands and is an area which has been identified as an aquifer recharge area in the Natural Resource Inventory." (Master Plan Freehold Township).

This land is currently farmland and forest that would be detrimentally affected by development of any kind, but R-15 lots will be especially damaging. R-80 lots must be a minimum of 80,000 sq ft (approximately 1.8 acres) while R-15 lots are 15,000 sq ft (approximately 1/3 of an acre). The land in question includes a large farmed field, forest, and wetlands.  The field hosts snow geese in the winter, deer year-round, and a wide variety of birds who use the wetlands and forest during migration.  The forest is home to a pair of great horned owls, pileated woodpeckers, vernal pools that host salamanders and frogs, and foxes.  It is popular with hunters during hunting season.  According to the National Wetlands inventory, the rezoning would include wetlands. 

This amendment to the zoning in the area will be harmful to the environment, increase traffic on Elton Adelphia Road, and contribute to lowering the quality of life in Freehold Township.  Instead of rezoning it to allow for housing developments on small plots of land in an area defined as environmentally sensitive the township should preserve it as open space or encourage the seller to seek a buyer who will preserve the land as is.  

• Those interested in sharing their thoughts with the committee should attend the 11/23 meeting at 8pm at the Freehold Township Municipal Complex