Linwood Ave. Homeowner Planning Subdivision

A Linwood Avenue homeowner has applied to subdivide his property and add a third house to the site, which currently holds two homes.

The plan, according to engineer Michael Hubschman, is to demolish one of the two existing homes at 195 Linwood Avenue and replace it with a private road and two new houses on the property. The road would be 18 feet wide, about 400 feet long and end in a cul de sac large enough for fire engines to turn around. A fire hydrant would be installed toward the end of the road to comply with township regulations. The existing home will also have an addition built.

The project will require several variances for setbacks from the new houses. David Watkins, the attorney representing the applicant, said the site is about 150 feet wide by 500 feet deep. According to Hubschman, only the existing house will face Linwood Avenue.

Watkins said the residents will have a homeowners agreement to maintain the private road, but not an extended sewer line which will need to be added to the site.

"It takes the burden away from the municipality," Watkins said.

Hubschman said the project will improve drainage at the site. Several Hemlock Drive residents said they have had problems with flooding over the past few years, but Hubschman said an underground storage system will reduce the rate of water flowing off the site in a two-year storm by 50 percent.

If the planning board approves the project, the applicant will still need approval from the county and the state for the sewer.

The board is scheduled to continue hearing testimony about the plan at their next meeting on June 27.

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