Fate Of Quarry Redevelopment Plan To Be Decided Jan. 24

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The fate of the Quarry Redevelopment project for the Millington Quarry property off Stone House Road will be decided at a committee meeting on Jan. 24 at Ridge PAC.

Bernards Township Mayor John Carpenter told residents at the beginning of Tuesday night’s meeting that there will be a discussion to terminate the Quarry Redevelopment Concept Plan draft.

“I, myself, would like to see this come to an end,” Carpenter said.

Newly elected committee member James Baldassare also noted that he is not favor of the quarry plan.

“I do not believe in the quarry plan moving forward and will not be supporting this plan,” Baldassare said at the meeting.

A copy of the resolution addressing the quarry redevelopment plan will be available on bernards.org on Jan. 19 prior to the meeting for residents to review.

Many residents have voiced opposition to the redevelopment plan and even formed a “Stop The Quarry” or STQP group to put an end to the proposed project.

STQP held a peaceful protest outside the township municipal building prior to the meeting. They also presented the committee members with a petition with hundreds of signatures from residents against the project.

The group also recently announced the retention of legal counsel from Jay Bohn, a New Jersey land use attorney at Schiller, Pittenger & Galvin, P.C.

The proposed plan for the Millington Quarry property called for the area to be divided into four districts — Agritourism and Recreation District, Cottage Residential District, Mixed Residential District and Mixed Use District. It included the construction of a townhouses, single family homes, an amphitheater, restaurant, hotel and more.

“This is too much development for our peaceful town,” said one resident at the meeting.

Some residents called for the town to keep the area as open space.

“We have a chance to be a cornerstone of preservation for the state,” said another resident.

(Image by Alexis Tarrazi)

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