Public Hearing On Manchester’s Heritage Tract

(Photo by Jennifer Peacock)

MANCHESTER – A public hearing on the Heritage Minerals Tract will be held on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. at Manchester High School.

In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held at Feb. 13, at 6 p.m.

The meeting is to gauge public opinion on a plan to build 4,000 proposed residences, as well as commercial and recreational spots.

The meeting is required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, since the project will be close enough to a body of water that it falls under regulations by the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act.

Hovsons, the Pinelands Commission, the DEP and Manchester agreed to a settlement for 2,200 homes in 2004. This plan would lead to the development of 995.4 acres, with 6,179.7 acres in the property to be preserved.

However, the developer made another application for 4,000 homes. Since it is a new plan, it has to go through the same steps as the last one.

Those who cannot attend can send written comments within 15 days after the hearing to: NJDEP, Division of Land Use Regulation, P.O. Box 420, Code 501-02A, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420. Attn: Manchester Bureau Chief.

If You Go:

When: Feb. 8, 6 p.m.

Snow date: Feb. 13, 6 p.m.

Location: Manchester High School, 101 S. Colonial Dr.