14-acre tract to be divided in Jackson
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON- An application for a twolot subdivision has received unanimous approval from the Planning Board. Peter and Karen Barba sought permission to divide a 14-acre tract at Farmingdale and Pfister roads and got the OK on April 21.

Planning Board engineer Doug Klee said the subdivision would create two lots in the R-5 residential zoning district. He said the proposed lots will comply with all of the requirements of the ordinance, although there are several existing setback variances for principal and accessory structures previously constructed on the site.

Attorney Ray Shea represented the Barbas.

"I don't think anything can be more simple than this," Shea said. "This is a minor subdivision application where 5 acres are required. What is being proposed is a single tract under common ownership of one family divided into (two lots of) 6 acres and 7.73 acres."

He asked the board to waive the requirements for improvements such as curbs and sidewalks in this particular area.

"Those of you who have been up Pfister and Farmingdale roads know the area," Shea said. "The township's master plan recognizes its rural nature and that is why we made it 5-acre [zoning]. Potentially, if the subdivision is approved, nothing will change in the neighborhood. The only plan in the future will be to create one house on the new lot that is created."

Project engineer Robert J. Curley, of CMX, Manalapan, said the area is rural in nature and said there is a lack of proposed construction on the property. Therefore, he said, there is no need for sidewalks, curbs or shade trees.

Board member George McKay suggested that the applicant make a payment in connection with the sidewalk ordinance.

"There is an enormous amount of frontage," Shea said. "There are three different roads. Can we define it to something that is less than all three roads? It's one lot and that would be a heavy burden on one family."

It was then suggested by the board that only the new lot would be considered.

The board's planner, Anna R. Wainright, said she was concerned about the possible removal of trees on the wooded lot.

"How much will be removed?" she asked.

Shea said that will depend upon the contract purchaser and whether there will be a swimming pool in the back or a detached garage.

The trees are all there, Shea said.

"That's why we asked for no [additional] trees on the site," he said.

Shea offered a 10-foot area for the conservation of trees along Pfister Road except where the driveway will be.

No one from the public commented on the application before the board members voted to approve it.