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Bernards Township committee votes 3-2 to send 99 Lord Sterling Road to planning board for study
Summary
The township committee voted on Nov. 11 to authorize the planning board to investigate whether 99 Lord Sterling Road (about 12 acres) should be designated an area in need of redevelopment; the vote (3-2) was framed as a fact-finding step, not approval of any project.
The Bernards Township Committee on Nov. 11 voted 3-2 to ask the township planning board to undertake a preliminary investigation of 99 Lord Sterling Road, a roughly 12-acre parcel that has been proposed for redevelopment.
The resolution authorizes the planning board to study whether the property meets state law criteria for designation as an area in need of redevelopment. "What the committee is voting on tonight is simply to ask the planning board to study and analyze the property located at 99 Lord Sterling Road... That's all the resolution does," the chair said when introducing the measure.
Committee members debated the approach. One member who opposed the measure said the township should first complete a broader, strategic review of developable land rather than commit professional resources to a single parcel. That member also noted she was not briefed on the item before the meeting and cited timing concerns related to recent travel.
Supporters said the site is in disrepair and that the property owner’s concept plan — which reportedly included 55-plus housing and a special-needs housing component — could provide community benefits. "The special needs housing component is what tips the scales for me in favor of sending the matter over to the planning board for study," said one committee member who supported the referral.
Council member Jen (who spoke during discussion) provided background: the owner purchased the property on Feb. 6, 2024, and previously proposed an affordable-housing concept that was not selected as the township’s Round 4 affordable-housing submission. Jen said two projects chosen for the township’s affordable-housing obligation had produced a surplus of 12 units.
The motion to refer the site to the planning board carried, with roll call showing three yes votes and two no votes. Committee members emphasized that study does not equal endorsement, that any further action would return to the township committee and that full public hearings will follow if the planning board recommends any change.
