Neighbors press Holmdel committee over Oak Hill Farm expansion, town lawyer confirms active litigation

A stream of residents raised safety, parking and nuisance complaints about the property known as Oak Hill Farm during the meeting’s public-comment period, prompting the township attorney to confirm active litigation.

Several neighbors described an expanded number of structures, increased events and crowding that they said have created traffic, blocked lines of sight and hazards for pedestrians. "There's no sidewalks … there's a lot of families that actually walk on the road where it's a double solid line, and it's very concerning because there's pedestrians walking with kids," said Catherine Eng (resident), describing toddler carriages and children walking along Stillwell Road.

Owner Franco Roussel, who spoke after the complaints, said he intends to keep the property as a farm and disputed some criticisms while noting he is reachable and will appear in court: "I do understand some of my neighbors' concerns ... we will resolve those items in court on Friday, hopefully." Roussel also described the property's earlier uses and said he did not request pilot programs or commercial expansions.

Town Attorney Mike (responding at the meeting) confirmed the township filed a three-count complaint against the property owner alleging violations of the Uniform Construction Code, Uniform Fire Code and the Municipal Land Use Law and said an order‑to‑show‑cause hearing is scheduled in Superior Court in Freehold. "There is active litigation involving the Oak Hill Farm matter, currently pending in Superior Court," he said, and the township cannot comment further on the merits.

Residents pressed for safety measures — crosswalks or traffic controls at Crawford's Corner/Stillwell and for enforcement of setbacks and animal limits. Several speakers described early‑morning animal noise, cars parked on lawns, and concern about stormwater contamination from animal waste adjacent to wetlands. One resident urged the town to enforce the same zoning protections as it would with other new residents.

What’s next: Counsel said the next procedural court date is an order‑to‑show‑cause hearing in Freehold; the township will not publicly discuss litigation details beyond court filings, but staff said they will provide accurate public court-filing references.