Woolwich Committee approves cannabis zoning changes, introduces 30-year PILOT for Oak Grove Road

Woolwich Township Committee on Nov. 18 adopted a zoning and licensing ordinance to conditionally allow certain classes of cannabis businesses and took several unanimous votes on local approvals and contract changes.

Mayor Matthias opened the meeting and the Committee voted 5–0 to adopt Ordinance 2024-20, which amends chapters on cannabis zoning and adds a cannabis licensing process to township code. Committeeman Frederick sought clarifications during debate about operational rules, asking whether the required enclosure must be "fully enclosed by a physical barrier," to which Mayor Matthias cited the statute's language describing enclosure "around the full perimeter." Frederick also pressed a change to access restrictions; Solicitor Alice recommended amending the text from "no access from residential streets" to "no access from residential developments," and the Committee adopted that amendment unanimously.

The Committee also adopted Ordinance 2024-21, setting salary ranges for certain township officials and employees, on a 5–0 roll call.

Mayor Matthias introduced Ordinance 2024-22, a proposal to approve a long-term tax exemption (a PILOT) and financial agreement for 2024 Oak Grove Road Woolwich, LLC covering multiple Block 11 lots. "This is for a thirty (30) year PILOT and will generate the Township thirteen (13) million dollars within the thirty (30) year period," Mayor Matthias said. The Committee voted 5–0 to untable and introduce the ordinance; introduction does not enact the exemption but advances the matter for subsequent proceedings under N.J.S.A. 40A:20-1 et seq.

Votes at a glance: the Committee approved by unanimous roll-call votes the following on Nov. 18 — Ordinance 2024-20 (cannabis zoning/licensing) adopted 5–0; Ordinance 2024-21 (salary ranges) adopted 5–0; Ordinance 2024-22 (PILOT, Oak Grove Road) introduced 5–0; consent agenda R-2024-281 through R-2024-304 adopted 5–0; R-2024-305 appointing Bill Miller as interim Code Enforcement Officer adopted 5–0; R-2024-306 requesting a three-month NJDOT extension for High Hill Trail Phase 3 adopted 5–0; R-2024-277 and R-2024-278 terminating shared-service police agreements adopted 5–0.

On shared services, Mayor Matthias said the current five-year contract transitions to an unfavorable "evergreen" status with a 2% annual escalator and that Woolwich has been unable to secure favorable cost-sharing. The Committee adopted resolutions to terminate the agreements with South Harrison and with Swedesboro. Matthias read a statement from Swedesboro Mayor Fromm noting Swedesboro offered to continue under current terms with a 2% yearly increase.

Township reports and community items included an update from Administrator Jim Watson on township properties and projects, Fire Chief Valichka’s monthly report (including the annual Christmas-tree sale and a ladder truck still out of service), and a police report from Deputy Chief Daniels noting a $7,000 grant for DUI checks and a recruit graduation scheduled for Dec. 17. Township Engineer Samantha Boonstra said the Township will advertise High Hill Trail Phase 3 in January and reported Woolwich received $249,898 from DOT for Garwin Road Phase 2.

Committeeman Frederick summarized the water-tower logo selection process and said the resident-chosen design will be presented at the Dec. 2 meeting; Committeeman McGovern announced Parks and Recreation events and plans to invite the Kingsway Regional High School girls field-hockey team to the Dec. 2 meeting for a proclamation.

The meeting closed after approving minutes from Oct. 21, 2024, and routine bills and purchase orders (two abstentions noted for Verizon and Horton), and adjourned at 7:54 p.m.

Next steps: Ordinance 2024-22 (the Oak Grove Road PILOT) will proceed through the statutory review and adoption process; other adopted resolutions take immediate local effect per their terms.