Efforts to Save 32 Acres in Ocean Township Continue

Another attempt to Save 32 Acres by a group of Ocean Township residents appeared as a full page ad in the current edition of the Coaster Newspaper.  The ad encourages all residents who voted “yes” for Ocean Township’s Open Space Tax to attend the planning board meeting this Monday night, October 7^th at the Ocean Township High School on West Park Avenue at 7pm.  The ad stresses the importance of Monday night’s meeting as a possible last chance to voice concerns regarding the parcel of land located on the corner of Highway 35 North and Deal Road.  The ad states approximately 3,750 trees located on the 32 acre Native American Woodland site will be destroyed, references the eligibility of the parcel to be listed in the National & State Registry of Historic Places and includes the Save32Acres.org for those interested in learning more about preservation efforts.  If developed, the 32 acre parcel will include a Wawa gas station/convenience store, Chick-fil-A, Turning Point restaurant, Residence Inn Marriott, 70 townhomes and additional retail space.  Residents opposed to the development are concerned with traffic congestion, displaced wildlife, noise pollution, light intrusion, health concerns and other negative effects of commercial development.  Some residents have expressed support for partial development of the parcel closest to Highway 35, with a design that compliments the history and culture of the township.