PLANNING , from Page 1 the applicant was seeking to create three new lots to be known as 8.01 , 8.02 and 8.03 plus the original lot . the property consists of 19.71 acres . the applicant proposed three new single-family homes on the new lots , with the remaining fourth lot to remain as agricultural use . testimony was offered by both Berenato and by James Sassano , a
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professional land surveyor , professional planner and owner of James Sassano and associates . Before discussing the application , Chairman ed Marinelli inquired as to the status of some of the paperwork presented in the file .
“ i see the Pinelands filing is dated October 22 , 2013 , and it is marked ‘ inconsistent .’ Can we use that as evidence for tonight , or no ?
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... My concern is that it ’ s not valid , and cannot be used as evidence for this evening . i was wondering if the applicant filed with the correct information for a new one , because on that one , it says nine lots , and we ’ re only working with four lots ,” Marinelli said .
Sassano noted that he and the applicant made a submission in November of 2020 with the revised plan showing the current proposed four-lot minor subdivision .
“ they responded back , and i have their email from December 21 , which said , ‘ attached you will find your certificate of filing . Good luck moving forward with the new design .’ i even questioned that ; i emailed them back a couple weeks later and said , ‘ are you sure we can move forward with the certificate of filing ?’ and they said yes , and i have that email . Branwen ellis told us to proceed with this certificate of filing , and then any new plans or approvals would be submitted to them ,” Sassano said .
During testimony , Sassano gave a brief history of the proposal .
“ at one time , this was proposed to be a major subdivision . i think it was determined that the restrictions and the costs of putting the improvements in did not justify the number of lots it was going to yield . this proposal would be
Wednesday , May 26 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Planning board heard an application at May meeting
three residential building lots that would have conventional septic systems and wells . the remaining 14.2 acres would remain agricultural ,” Sassano said .
During the town engineer ’ s comments , William Loughney inquired as to a 50-foot buffer between the agricultural lot and the rest of the proposed lots , noting that town code requires a planted buffer “ with a property that abuts an agricultural use .”
Sassano said that a 50-foot planted buffer would be “ very difficult to do .”
“ We ’ re not opposed to some type of plantings like as they did on the adjacent subdivision ; they have evergreens spaced about 10 feet apart , partially down the line . they end at the front of the house . We wouldn ’ t be opposed to something like that along the perimeter line ,” Sassano said .
Loughney said that he was not quite certain as to the intent of the planted buffer requirement .
“ Perhaps it might be some sort of a windbreak , in case when they ’ re doing agricultural activity , it stops dust and such from moving on towards the houses ,” Loughney said . Board member Michael Hozik explained .
“ i think that ’ s in there to protect the farm , so that when people build next to a farm , they don ’ t get overspray from crop fertilization or pesticide control , and , as you say , as a windbreak to break the dust . it ’ s to keep people from building next to farms and then complaining about the farming disrupting their lives ,” Hozik said .
Hozik affirmed that the buffer is 50 feet from the property line and not any potential dwellings .
“ if something comes over , it doesn ’ t go into anything like a kid ’ s swimming pool , or something like that . it would be along the back of the properties ,” Hozik said .
Sassano said that having such a buffer on the residential properties would be challenging .
“ Would the board be opposed to the plantings going on the farm side of the property line , and an easement being created that would prohibit those trees from coming down ? We ’ re only trying to maximize the yards for the homeowners here , and we feel having a row of trees just on the other side of the line doesn ’ t impact the farm as much as it impacts the residential building lots ,” Sassano said .
Berenato , who said he lived on first road for about 43 years , discussed other buffers — or the lack thereof — in the area .
“ We have a farm right up against the property , Lot 9 . there was never a buffer . also , Mr .
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