Egg Harbor Township’s committee voted to adopt Ordinance 33, which amends the existing Timber Ridge redevelopment plan to change a previously approved 215‑unit garden‑apartment rental project into 215 market‑rate for‑sale attached dwellings and increases the affordable‑housing credit from eight rental units to 10 homeownership units.

Why it mattered: The change touched off a robust public comment period. Neighbors and longtime residents said the township and its schools are at capacity, raised water‑table and stormwater concerns, and urged the committee to use zoning and impact fees to slow growth. Pete Castellano, who said he had served on regional planning bodies, asked the committee to hold and rework the ordinance so the township could evaluate required vs. discretionary production of housing.

Planner Dan Heller explained the technical sequence: the redevelopment plan amendment (zoning) was being considered by the governing body; if approved, the developer would enter into a redevelopment agreement that addresses affordable units and credits and then return to the planning board for site‑plan review. Heller said the amendment would allow homeownership townhouses and would yield 10 affordable units rather than 8 rental units referenced in the earlier approval.

Public concerns and state context: Citizens repeatedly invoked Pinelands and CAFRA/DEP controls and the township’s designation as a higher‑growth zone under state planning rules. Speakers asked whether the township could pursue impact fees and commercial ratables instead of more residences, and called for conversations with the school district about space needs. Several petitioners requested a moratorium or hold to seek legislative relief from Trenton.

Vote and next steps: The governing body adopted the ordinance by roll‑call vote. Committee members and the presenter repeatedly noted that the amendment affects an already‑approved project and that site‑level details and environmental compliance would be addressed in subsequent planning‑board and permitting stages.

Ending: The motion carried and the committee moved on to other business, while residents and the committee agreed to continue evaluating broader zoning and redevelopment policy options going forward.