Lawsuit Filed Against Basking Ridge Over Quarry Decision

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Community Investment Partners has filed a lawsuit against Bernards Township over their Jan. 24 decision to put an end to the controversial Draft Quarry Redevelopment Concept Plan.

CIP developed the draft plan and presented it to the public in November. It had called for a hotel, 235 housing units, restaurants, retail stores, a farm and a lake.

After receiving months of backlash from township residents, the Bernards Township Committee 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. (See Related: Basking Ridge Rejects Quarry Plan)

However, the battle is not over. Following their decision, CIP filed a lawsuit against the township planning board and township committee. CIP has since dropped their suit against the planning board, but the one against the township remains.

At the March 13 Township Committee Meeting, CIP's attorney Ann Babineau spoke about their intentions to modify the quarry plan.

"We have provided letter proposing a different concept designed to incorporate less density to eliminate objectionable uses such as the hotel and enhance the amount of open space and continue to preserve some of amenities in the plan that was brought before you in January," said Babineau.

Babineau went on to discuss the township's affordable housing obligations noting that the proposed quarry plan would allow for 15 percent of the units to cover that quota.

"We would very much like to get the input and guidance on how to most be at your service to be a part of the planning process," Babineau said. "Certainly we can conduct a public discussion as you have strongly urged us to in a very transparent way and look forward to getting insight into what is the best way of perceiving as regards to the planning process."

Bernards Township Attorney John Belardo said the township believes the lawsuit is "frivolous and without merit and they will fully defend it.... we will not settle this lawsuit."

The lawsuit has not been formally served to the township yet. Once it is served Belardo said the township will have a chance to respond.

• See Related: Residents Not Happy With Proposed Quarry Plan In Basking Ridge
• See Related: Hundreds Fill Ridge PAC To Discuss Quarry Plans

(Image via Shutterstock)

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