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Planning board finds SCCC athletic-court proposal consistent with Master Plan; board asks for lighting and access details
Summary
The Hampton Township Planning Board found a Sussex County Community College proposal for three tennis courts, four pickleball courts and an outdoor fitness area consistent with the Master Plan, and asked for details on lighting, fencing, drainage, security gating and emergency access.
Sussex County Community College presented a courtesy review on Jan. 15 for new athletic facilities at its Plotts Road campus, and the Hampton Township Planning Board voted unanimously to find the proposal consistent with the township Master Plan.
Attorney Mark Peck represented the college. Engineer Mark Gimigliano told the board the project includes three tennis courts, four pickleball courts, and a 70-by-70-foot outdoor fitness slab. The courts would be surrounded by a 10–12 foot chain-link perimeter fence with interior dividers and a paved walkway providing access from the parking area.
Lighting would be provided by six 50-foot poles holding a total of 16 mounted fixtures with estimated illumination of about 30 footcandles on the courts. Gimigliano said the fixtures would be directed downward and fitted with shields to limit light spill. "The lights as proposed will be seen from neighboring properties but should not cause light pollution in surrounding lots," he said. Board members requested a strict curfew for light use; applicant representatives said nighttime lighting would be used for scheduled matches only, likely until 9 or 10 p.m.
Engineer David Simmons noted the disturbed area is approximately 1.0 acre, classifying the work as a major development that will require Sussex County Planning Board site-plan review, a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Permit from the Sussex County Soil Conservation District, and NJDEP review (Dam Safety Section) as required. Simmons also requested final details for pavement, lighting specs, fencing/gates, the outdoor fitness surface, and project phasing.
The board asked the applicant to ensure gates meet emergency-access requirements (minimum 48 inches for stretcher access) and said the courts should be secured after dark and available to the public by daytime and scheduled community use. A motion to find the application consistent with the Master Plan passed on a unanimous roll call.
