Holmdel Zoning Board Determines the Fate of Potter's Farm Tonight

Tonight, the Holmdel Zoning Board will decide the fate of Potter’s Farm – the unofficial “Gateway to Holmdel”.

For those that aren't familiar, Potters Farm is located at Exit 114 off the parkway, heading north. For decades, the "gorgeous animals and scenic views" have provided an impeccable first impression of Holmdel for all who enter.

At issue is whether or not they’ll approve the development of a 105-resident Dementia Center on that land. In August, the Holmdel Township Committee broke protocol by voting to receive PILOT (“payment in lieu of taxes”) payments from the developer BEFORE the Zoning Board even met on the subject. This was, thankfully, stopped by Committeeman Tom Critelli who appropriately pointed out that this – at least on the surface – blurred the lines of PAY TO PLAY.

It should also be noted that Committeeman Santhana voted in favor of the township receiving payment while also admitting he’d never seen the plans.

Here are the 3 things you should know:

1. It is the position of some that the township needs revenue and that this $95,000 PILOT payment is a welcome source of income from the developer. However, per Committeeman Critelli’s comments, if it were developed for residential use – the tax revenue could likely be in the neighborhood of $400,000-$500,000 annually. So the argument that we need the PILOT payment is indefensible knowing we could get 4-5 times that amount.
2. There could be alternatives. As Board of Education Member Terence Wall – a passionate advocate of preserving the Potter’s Farm land – has stated, there are other options. Per his comments, they could have engaged in multi-jurisdictional discussions that would facilitate keeping it a working farm. Which could have led to a discussion with Brookdale Community College or other local educational institutions to build a curriculum around this land. At a minimum, they could have reached out to Middletown leadership to try and find some way to partner on its preservation.
3. Which leads us to the next point. It appears the Holmdel Township Committee didn’t even TRY to preserve this land or find other viable alternatives. Admittedly, sometimes things are the way they are and no matter how much we fight and ideate, change just simply is. But - just like with our property taxes - they didn't even try.

They missed on this, pure and simple. And this is a BIG ONE. If Potter's Farm doesn't factor into the debate on Open Space in Holmdel, what does?

As I’ve stated before, providing people suffering from dementia a home that will appropriately care for them is both an important and noble effort. It's just as critical for the families of these patients to know their loved ones are appropriately cared for.

But we need to find another location.

I truly believe the land should be preserved or alternatives should be considered. This whole situation has become unnecessarily messy – and a cloud now hovers over any decision to approve this development.

The meeting is at 7pm tonight at the court room at Town Hall. Here is the public notice regarding the development which includes the documents being reviewed.

Thank you to TapInto, as they've been on this since the beginning.

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