Planning board grants retroactive extension to finish Route 38 jug‑handle work

Michael Floyd, an attorney for the applicant, asked the Hainesport Planning Board to grant a second one‑year extension of a minor‑subdivision approval so his client could complete work tied to a full‑movement jug handle at Route 38 and Lawrence Boulevard. Floyd said delays stemmed from outstanding NJDOT permits and final construction closeout and submitted a corrected July 10, 2025 cover letter to replace a prior filing with a date typo.

Joe Fiero, vice president of Aries Management and a witness for the applicant, testified that the signal at the jug handle was energized the day of the meeting but the jug handle remained closed. He said remaining items are limited to signal timing, curbing and milling/overlay of the shoulder and that NJDOT likely will require a two‑to‑three‑month final review before accepting the improvements. Once DOT accepts the work, the parties expect to perfect a land swap that was previously approved by state authorities and then record the subdivision.

During public comment Charles Lawrence said his church received notice and asked whether the project would affect church property; Floyd said by statute the applicant must mail notice to property owners within 200 feet and that the proposed work on Route 38 would not impact the church parcel. After brief discussion a motion to grant a retroactive extension to April 3, 2025 for up to one year was moved, seconded and approved on a unanimous roll call vote.

The board’s approval was conditioned on standard documentation and the applicant’s compliance with any required final DOT acceptance and recording procedures. The applicant indicated it will proceed to close once DOT completes its final as‑built review.