The Hammonton Gazette 10/19/16 Edition | Page 5

Env. Comm. discusses Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Main Road apts. Page 4 • Wednesday, October 19, 2016 • The Hammonton Gazette COMMISSION, from Page 1 the tournaments would remain the same, according to environmental Commission Chairman robert reitmeyer. Because the use of the farms for the tournaments has already been approved and established, the commission motioned to send a letter of no interest to attorney and Genova Burns law firm’s environmental Law and Land Use Practice Group Chair William Harrison, who is handling the process. the motion was made by environmental Commission Vice-Chair terri Caruso-Cafiso and seconded by commissioner ryan Mayer. the commission deemed the request was not in their jurisdiction and should be sent to the town planning board. Commissioner Steven Carr abstained from the motion, while commissioner Dr. Michael Hozik voted against it, believing the requested changes infringe on the original agreement, and that it is in fact a concern of the commission. “What we’re now seeing is an erosion of the restriction of agricultural purposes and turning it into a recreation facility ... they want to eliminate the 192-hour limit. that’s one thing. that’s an environmental question. the comprehensive management plan, that’s an environmental plan, and to the extent that this is impacting that, i think it is in our jurisdiction. the plan originally said the lands set aside for agriculture cannot be used for recreational purposes. Period,” Hozik said. While the turf fields have soccer games played on them throughout the year, the farm does still use the turf to supply local athletic fields, according to reitmeyer, which qualifies as an agricultural purpose. the letter of no interest means parties affiliated with tuckahoe turn farms will not need to come to the environmental Commission for a full review of a modified environmental impact statement (eiS), according to reitmeyer. James Mellett, of Churchill Consulting engineers, appeared before the commission to discuss a missing letter stating that the commission approved the project of building an apartment complex on Main road, completed by Churchill Consulting en