This is How we Protect Holmdel's Character

As Mayor of Holmdel, I am often asked why we enforce construction codes, fire codes, and zoning ordinances so carefully. The short answer is simple: these rules keep people safe and preserve the town we all love. They are not bureaucratic hurdles. They are the practical tools that protect families, maintain our rural character, and ensure that growth—when it occurs—happens the right way. That's why, for example, tonight we'll be voting to approve a townwide ban on data centers.

Holmdel’s identity rests on more than scenic hills and open fields. It rests on trust that our neighborhoods will remain livable, that roads will not become overcrowded parking lots, that buildings will not pose fire or structural hazards, and that commercial activity will respect the residential fabric around it. Construction codes under the Uniform Construction Code ensure structures are built to standards that protect occupants. Fire codes under the Uniform Fire Code require life-safety measures that give first responders a fighting chance and give families time to escape. Zoning ordinances that are adopted under the Municipal Land Use Law govern where and how activity can intensify so that one property’s expansion does not unfairly burden its neighbors with traffic, noise, stormwater runoff, or safety risks.

These protections are not optional. When they are ignored, the consequences fall on the entire community. That is why your Township Committee takes enforcement seriously.

A current example is the dispute involving the owner of Oak Hill Farms (Oak Hill Barn LLC) at 177 Stillwell Road. In 2020, the property, under a previous owner, received specific land-use approvals for limited agricultural and farm-market activity in the R-40B zone. Those approvals set clear boundaries.

Earlier this year, a new owner purchased the property. Neighbors raised legitimate concerns about traffic on Stillwell Road (a road without sidewalks where families walk), parking overflow, noise, odors, and blocked sight lines.

The Township’s zoning officials investigated these complaints and cited the new owner for engaging in uses and construction beyond what was previously approved by the Zoning Board; this included expanded commercial operations and construction upon the property—completing an unfinished barn, installing additional fencing and pavers, building accessory structures, expanding parking, adding a garbage enclosure, and beginning a commercial playground near the property line—without the required zoning permits, construction permits, or fire-code compliance.

When the violations continued, Holmdel was forced to file a three-count complaint in Monmouth County Superior Court seeking to compel compliance. The court has already found Holmdel’s lawsuit meritorious, considering it issued a preliminary injunction against the property owner; to the extent the business has shut down as a result, the judge called it a “self-inflicted wound.”

This litigation remains active in both Superior Court and before the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board. The Agriculture Board must determine if the property qualifies for right to farm protections which would exempt it from local zoning. This is what the property owner is now seeking after initially saying he would follow the process and apply to the Holmdel Zoning Board (under local zoning). The Township has reviewed and does not believe the property qualifies, reflected by the fact the property has never received farmland tax assessment, which is the same legal standard to obtain right to farm protections.

To be clear, this is not about opposing farms or local agriculture. Holmdel has a long record of supporting farming—through acquiring farmland preservation easements that have blunted development while ensuring farming continues, farm leases on properties such as DePalma Farms, and embracing agriculture as part of our heritage. It is about following the same rules that apply to every other property owner.

When one property expands beyond approved limits without review by the Planning or Zoning Board, the impacts are felt by the surrounding residential neighborhood. Stormwater, traffic, emergency access, and fire safety do not respect property lines. The review process exists so those impacts can be evaluated and mitigated before they become problems.

Think about that for a moment – how would you feel if you woke up one morning and your next-door neighbor turned their property into a gun range without warning, without approvals, without safety measures or environmental considerations?

Our six cultural pillars—Open Space, Public Safety, Recreation, Fiscal Responsibility, Education, and Innovation—guide these decisions. Public safety is non-negotiable. Open space and rural character are worth defending. When we insist on proper process, we protect both. We have preserved more than 63 acres in recent years, reduced state housing mandates through negotiation, and addressed environmental issues at sites such as 23 Main Street. The same consistent standard applies here: follow the law, obtain the required approvals, and operate within the bounds the community has already set.

I understand the desire to change a property to increase business. Change is often embraced when it is done correctly. Shortcuts that bypass permits and safety reviews undermine the very character that makes Holmdel special. They also set a precedent that no responsible governing body can accept.

The question isn’t whether we like what’s being done at 177 Stillwell Road – the question is, why did the owner knowingly (and by his own admission) ignore the process we have in place under state law to protect our town?

Holmdel remains a wonderful place because generations of residents and leaders have insisted on thoughtful stewardship. Construction codes, fire codes, and zoning ordinances are among the quiet guardians of that stewardship. They keep people safe. They keep our neighborhoods livable. And they keep Holmdel the town we are proud to call home.

I encourage residents to stay informed, attend Township Committee meetings, and continue sharing their perspectives. Together we will uphold the standards that protect our families and our future.

As always, it is my pleasure to serve our community.