BASKING RIDGE, NJ — It's been almost one year since Bernards Township resident Jon Rocker presented his plan to improve a long-abandoned, vacant, and vandalized Lord Stirling School property.
Rocker's Plan
In August 2025, Rocker, who has been a resident for almost 30 years, shared his vision to rezone the property at 99 Lord Stirling Road to allow the possibility of building age-restricted housing, along with housing for those with special needs.
"I have a history in my own family, the special needs person that my grandparents cared for for many years. I was very close to them," said Rocker to Patch.
Since then, he said he has become "very passionate" and "increasingly invested in the desire" to bring more special needs housing to the community.
Current zoning on the property at 99 Lord Stirling Road only allows for four to five residential homes to be built on the property.
Rocker said his plans to build 10 units of age-restricted housing and housing for those with special needs would equate to 20 credits in the Township's affordable housing obligation.
However, Rocker says if a developer came in to build 20 affordable units the township would have to approve 100 market-rate units.
He noted his plan would help "fill the gap for the special needs beds that are so desperate to be in the town."
"I'm a resident for just 30 years, this is my town, this is a hometown issue for me that also takes 100 potential marketing opportunities off the table," said Rocker of the next round of affordable housing obligation that comes around.
Redevelopment Study
In November 2025, the Township Committee voted three-to-two to have the Planning Board study and analyze whether the property is in need of redevelopment.
Seven months later, Rocker is still awaiting the results.
At Tuesday's Township Committee meeting, Township Attorney John Belardo confirmed the planning board needs to make a determination as to whether the property is an area in need of redevelopment.
"My understanding is that a hearing on that is coming up shortly, and certainly if any residents wish to attend that they're welcome to do so, to see the planning board action," said Belardo.
Hateful Graffiti
His update followed comments from resident Alexis Soled of Fenwick Place.
Soled said her Rabbi shared a message about the property and graffiti and symbols of hate spraypainted throughout the building at 99 Lord Stirling Road.
The hateful messages target Muslims and the Jewish community.
"There is little doubt that allowing a location for people to share these vile words of hate, ostensibly unabated, sets the wrong tone for our discourse," said Solid. "Communities do not improve by accident. They improve when thoughtful people choose to participate in shaping them. If this concerns you, consider making your voice heard. Nobody in town is proud of that property."
Since the school closed down about six years ago, and the new owner has taken over the property, Bernards Township Police Sgt. Steven Matthews told Patch there have been three reports of incidents.
An initial report from May 2025 reported trespassing, alcohol use, and graffiti.
A second report in July 2025 reported more graffiti inside the main building.
Most recently, in May 2026, Private Property/No Trespassing Signs were damaged near the entrance to the property.
"The police department has continuously throughout the year conducted property checks of the property, but have never discovered anyone trespassing at those times, and no new graffiti has been reported from the owner," said Matthews.
Solid also said, "I don't have the proper knowledge to know about redevelopment, but I would ask that it's not something that if it's not something you feel appropriate, then please find another plan."
She said housing for adults with developmental disabilities would be "truly life-changing to so many people."
Belardo also referenced the condition of the site, saying he recalled: "One of the members of this committee instructed the property owner to essentially get cans of paint and go out and paint over the offending uh symbols of discrimination."
He added, "I'm not sure why that hasn't been done."
Rocker said after the meeting that he is waiting for the Planning Board hearing before he paints over the graffiti and vandalism.
He wants to ensure the "study has been completed and that people have a full picture of what’s going on there."
Neighbor Support
Neighbor Clif Cababe, whose property borders the site, told Patch the abandoned buildings have "literally, since the pandemic have just been sitting there rotting away."
He said, "When I look out the back door, that's what I see, the rotting buildings."
Cababe also noted there is a stagnant swimming pool on the property that gives off a moldy smell.
"Well, we get a whiff of it every once in a while because the buildings are just sitting there," said Cababe.
Cababe said he supports the owner’s proposal and called the current situation stagnant.
"Jon is a quality builder. I mean, if he doesn't do something and he winds up selling it, this could be anything, could be a data center," said Cababe, "It's almost an incredible opportunity, because you got a guy who wants to live here, he wants to do such quality work, he wants to be respectful, he wants to buffer it, and I don't understand why people aren't taking advantage of it. In fact, in the neighborhood, that's the general consensus."
Moving Forward
In the meantime, Rocker said he has been hoping to work with the township to get this project going.
"I really had this vision that we would all be doing this together, you know. I'm like a collaborative person. I work with families to build homes. This just made so much sense, and we were so close," said Rocker. "It's very, very daunting, and it's just frustrating that all these months later it seems like we're further, not closer. And honestly, I'm trying to do everything I can to make it happen."
Rocker has worked in real estate and construction for 40 years with 90 percent of his time spent building homes for families, most of which have been custom projects.
"That requires a total commitment to quality and integrity, which has always been at the core of my philosophy and framed any success that I have earned," said Rocker. "My risky decision to purchase and pursue the possibilities at the Lord Stirling School site with no guarantees was made not only after considering all of the irrefutable community benefits but also in the knowledge that I will always bring my best efforts, best intentions, and best capabilities for everyone involved, no matter what, here in my own hometown."
Rocker has also launched a website for residents to learn more about his proposed project at lordstirlingschoolredevelopment.com.
A request for comment from the Township or the Township Planning Board was not returned to Patch.
Planning Board Meeting
For now, the next formal step is the Planning Board hearing, Belardo said, which is "expected shortly."
A specific date for the planning board was not announced at Tuesday's Committee meeting.
Additionally, the upcoming July 7 Planning Board meeting was canceled "due to lack of business to conduct."
Previous Reporting:
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