Application for 20 homes to continue Jan. 8
Rutherford Estates wants to build in Cassville section
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

A public hearing on the Rutherford Estates housing development is expected to continue at the Jackson Planning Board's meeting on Jan. 8.

The property is on Route 571 in the Cassville section of Jackson, near the intersection with Route 528.

The applicant is seeking approval to develop 20 residential lots in the Pinelands Village Zone and two commercial lots in the Pinelands Commercial Zone. In addition, one lot is expected to be used for storm water management.

The development property is zoned R-3, which requires homes to be built on 3-acre lots. However, a provision in the zoning permits homes to be clustered on 1-acre lots with the balance of the tract to remain as open space.

The proposed development was discussed at a Planning Board meeting in June. At that time, Planning Board engineer Douglas Klee said the homes would be serviced by septic systems.

Project engineer Graham MacFarlane, representing the applicant, said the proposal is to subdivide the property into 23 conforming lots with no variances and no waivers requested.

MacFarlane said the application includes 20 residential lots, one lot for storm water management to be dedicated to the township, one lot which fronts Route 571 to be dedicated to Jackson for a new Cassville firehouse, one lot behind the lot that is dedicated to the town, which is in the Pinelands Village Commercial zone, to be used in the future. The latter lot requires a separate site plan application.

"We have [completed] all the records and environmental studies and have satisfied the Pinelands Commission in regard to all of their [requirements]," MacFarlane said.

MacFarlane said a municipal park is next to the development site and no recreational facilities are planned within Rutherford Estates.

At the earlier meeting, Planning Board member Blanche Krubner questioned the storm water management plan and was told by MacFarlane that the plan calls for a recharge basin on the eastern boundary of the property.

"The recharge facility will satisfy the water requirement, as well as the volume and the peak rate of flow," the engineer said. "It satisfies all criteria of the township, the Pinelands and the state."

Testimony will continue on Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building.