Basking Ridge Rejects Quarry Plan

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — It was not an unanimous vote, but the Bernards Township Committee voted to put an end to the Quarry Redevelopment Concept Plan at Wednesday night's meeting in the Ridge PAC.

The draft plan had called for a hotel, 235 housing units, restaurants, retail stores, a farm and a lake.

The committee not only voted to reject the Draft Quarry Redevelopment Concept Plan in its entirety, they also revoked the designation of the Millington Quarry property as a non-condemnation redevelopment area.

This essentially means the privately-owned Millington Quarry property would revert the zoning to allow for about 40 to 50 single-family homes on two-acre residential lots once the quarry is remediated.

The vote was four to one with Councilwoman Carolyn Gaziano being the only "no" vote. Gaziano noted that the plan allowed for the township to have more control about what can be built. She noted that by having a mixed-use zoning it would decrease the tax burden on the residents and also allow for the township to settle their affordable house obligation with the state.

"It would be very easy to vote in favor of my political gain, but I have never and will never make a decision that way," Graziano said.

Prior to the vote, close to 20 residents, including a former mayor, a representative from the Sierra Club and members of Friends of Stop the Quarry Plan, pleaded with the council to get rid of the controversial draft plan and new zoning proposal.

Many asked the committee to keep the small-town feel of the township and others brought up environmental concerns.

The general manager of the Indigo and Somerset Hill Hotel also asked that the committee not bring in more competition to the hotel market when it is already not doing so well.

Deputy Mayor John Malay voted to end the project, but reminded the public that the issue is not over.

"Be assured that this matter is not going to end. Not here not now. That is a hole in the ground to us, but in real world it is too valuable to remain empty," Malay said.

He added that he was happy with the public's renewed interest in the township and asked them to stay on top of upcoming issues such as affordable housing mandates and the quarry itself.

"Stay tuned, stay involved," Malay said.

Residents who missed the meeting can catch it on television on Friday when it will be re-broadcast at 8 p.m.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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