By Cindy Merckx
Several Franklin Township residents from the Oak Avenue section of Malaga attended last week’s Planning Board meeting after they received a letter from Jason Brandt, Managing member of Roselake LLC.
Brandt invited residents of Oak Avenue who live within 200 feet of his property to an informal meeting that was to occur the same night of the regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting. He presented several conceptual subdivision plans. Roselake LLC had purchased a large tract of fifty acres of woodlands for $9,000 at a Township Land Sale several years ago. The approval by officials to accept the low offer upset adjacent property owners who voiced their opposition to the Township Committee for approving the bargain bid for the pristine upland forested land. Several residents accused officials of favoring the owners of Roselake LLC who were Jason Brandt who was a member of the township’s planning board at the time, and also Vito Genna who was a newly elected Republican Committeeman.
Franklin Township Planning board solicitor Tim Scaffidi advised the board of the law and procedures that had to be followed regarding the request made by the developer. He explained that neither the developer nor planning board is bound by any such informal review.
Brandt presented four different drawings and explained to the board that at the end of 2013 the Land Use Committee approved his request to vacate several streets and it moved forward to the Township Committee that did not grant his request. A public hearing took place and a large amount of residents were present at that meeting to oppose the street vacation request.
Brandt explained that his plans were not complete at that time for residents to view. The plans he provided for the meeting will allow for 25 single family homes to be built on about 20 acres of land with the remaining fifty acres preserved for woodland. There were areas where one or two basins could be located that were near the roadway and power lines. The subdivision contained one road with a means of egress and a cul-de-sac.
Brandt commented that if the Township Committee did not vacate the streets that he would be forced to build more streets.
“This is a win-win and in the best interest of the neighborhood,” Brandt said.
Residents shared their concerns with developments that have basins and the maintenance it involves for the township. Residents also commented about how the subdivision lots back up to the power lines and the health risks that can occur.
Brian Powell of Oak Avenue stated that the way he saw things was that the win was for Roselake and not the residents of Oak Avenue.
“The way this whole thing went down and how they were able to purchase this property was shady and for him to stand up here and say that things will be great and just peachy….well I have to call him on the carpet for the way he purchased the property and the folks who sold this for $9,000 for over 50 acres. He is taking advantage of Franklin Township and I don’t see how this is a win-win,” Powell said.
Franklin Township Planning Board Chairman Harry Kennedy replied that no one on the planning board was saying that this was a win-win.
“The developer is saying that if he is able to get the streets vacated that he has an option to do something better than this plan,” Kennedy said.
Powell replied, “I am sure it is more profitable for him to do something like this because he has to pave every one of those streets. I know it was not all of you who made the decision to sell this property. You could have put three hunters and they would have had a fist fight over this land. He pulled the wool over our eyes and shame on us for letting it happen. He does not own the streets and he is asking for that property and I am ready to call his bluff and prove that he won’t develop it! It was immoral the way this went down and Franklin Township will pay. I don’t blame him. This is what he does for a living and he worked the system. I just want to slow him down because to me he owes Franklin Township some money.
Kennedy and Franklin Township planning board member Patrick Dougherty had some discussion about the procedure that needed to take place regarding the matter. Since the Township Committee had voted in December to deny the street vacation request the board wanted clarification on the process that should take place.
“Does this have to go to the Land Use Committee?” Dougherty asked.
After some discussion the board approved the matter to go to the Land Use Committee.
(from Achieves that were published in the Sentinel of Gloucester County Newspaper Print Edition week of April 21st, 2014)
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