Tinton Falls needs to get development plan in line with state’s

I have been following closely the recent news events regarding Gov. James McGreevey’s intention to curb suburban sprawl. Tinton Falls is clearly in the red zone for decreasing sprawl. I can only hope this is not another case of "too little, too late."

My wife, Dr. Carola d’Emery, and I live at 76 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, and for the last two years have been fighting Mayor Ann McNamara’s (and the Borough Council’s) somewhat nefarious attempts to aid in the plots for the rezoning of the Laurino Farm. The Laurinos have been trying to sell their farm (which is in their rights) for several years, but the only developers who have come forward have required zoning variances increasing the allowed housing density to complete their project. This project can only contribute to increasing the suburban sprawl, not decreasing it.

The local infrastructure consists of strictly two-lane roads which cannot handle any more traffic and cannot be widened. Although the developer is planning an "age-restricted" development, there are no guaranteed limitations and the Tinton Falls school system in its current capacity cannot handle any more students.

Yet, Mayor McNamara and the council have asked the Planning Board to create a new ordinance to rezone the Laurino farm in order that a developer called Sterling Properties can put a 180-unit townhome development in the farm’s place. This should be unacceptable in light of Gov. McGreevey’s new campaign.

In the past six months, there have been investigations into the "rezoning and overdevelopment" in several of the surrounding communities such as Ocean Township and Asbury Park, both of which abut Tinton Falls. Is it a coincidence that the same attorney involved in those schemes happens to be involved in this new attempt to have the Laurino farm rezoned for "overdevelopment"?

We firmly believe the residents of Tinton Falls would, through an additional open space tax, assist the town and the state government in a plan that would purchase at least one-half of the farm for open space, while leaving the other half to be lightly developed as the current zoning of R2 permits.

Drew deGanahl

Tinton Falls