“Save 32 Acres” Group Continues To Speak Up In Ocean Township

A peaceful demonstration was organized on Saturday, October 13^th during Octoberfest in Ocean Township to help save 32 acres of mature trees from being cleared for commercial use.

A group of residents in Ocean Township continue their mission in gaining support to protect a historic wetland forest on the corner of Deal Road and Highway 35 North. Paramount Realty is proposing The Ocean Town Center, which would level the 32 acres to make room for a Wawa Gas Station/Convenience Store, Marriott Hotel, approximately 40,000 square feet of retail/office space, fast food restaurant and townhouse community.

The original Master Plan for the township allowed for 13 acres of low impact commercial development, not 32. Residents are concerned with the anticipated increase in vehicular/trucking traffic, negative environmental impact as well as health-related issues if the land were to be commercially developed on a large scale. Currently, there is a minimum of 24 commercial locations for lease according to FlexMLS. Various types of commercial structures including retail, warehouse, heavy/light industry and mixed use with many square footage options are available in the township (including Highway 35).

Residents supporting the #save32acres prefer to see the current commercial spaces occupied with tenants rather than destroying lush wetland forest and putting the community at risk.

Recommendations for environmental and legal representation could be e-mailed to info@save32acres.org.  Click https://save32acres.org/ to learn more about the collective efforts to stop the proposed development project.