By JACKIE HANUSEY
Staff Writer

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – Final major subdivision approval was granted Monday night for what would be the largest subdivision in the township, despite concerns expressed by members of the public and the mayor.

Pulte Homes first brought its proposal for the Villages at Farmington to the Planning Board in January 2007. Now called the Ocean Club, the subdivision calls for 667 units, including 258 age-restricted houses, 259 single-family detached units and 140 single-family attached townhouses.

The subdivision was approved for final major subdivision approval by five members of the board; it received one no vote from Mayor James “Sonny” McCullough.

“It’s not a reflection of the engineering or the applicant,” McCullough said explaining his vote.  “I know this is not in the best interest for Egg Harbor Township with reduced state aid.”

Planning Board Chairman James Garth, who is also chief of the Farmington Volunteer Fire Company, has excused himself from all related proceedings as the developer has offered to build an additional firehouse to address the fire protection needs of the 273.6-acre development.

The site, located off Westcoat Road, is owned by Sam and Leo Schoffer of Schoffer Enterprises.

Although the board was not required to hold a hearing Monday because it allowed the public to speak on the preliminary approval, with several hands going up in the audience, the board allowed a few public comments before its final vote.

Residents who live off of Westcoat Road in Absecon showed up to share their concerns.

Kathleen Antonelli of Absecon was one of several residents of a nearby age-restricted community who wished to speak.

Antonelli said she is angry about the traffic that is already in the area and said she wanted the township to ask the applicant to install a traffic light.

“When Pulte Homes takes down trees it is going to cause a greater impact of odors from the ACUA,” said Antonelli, who is not happy with the smell from the nearby landfill.

One of her neighbors, Ruthann House, said she has been awakened by the smells.

The original Planning Board ruling for the project requires the applicant to notify potential residents of the project about its proximity to the ACUA and the Atlantic City International Airport.
ACUA Solid Waste Director Gary Conover said the ACUA is always looking to be good neighbors and is attempting to upgrade its gas collection efforts, which is expected to reduce some of the odors.

Board Vice Chairman Manuel Aponte asked the applicant several questions about when work is expected to start on the clubhouses.  He said the biggest complaint he gets from residents of new communities is when the clubhouse is completed.

Aponte also asked when the construction might begin or be completed as it would affect the township’s plans for new schools with an influx of school-age children expected from the 399 single-family units.

“Any idea is unpredictable,” said Robert Piscano, senior land entitlements manager for Pulte Homes.

Lawyer for the applicant Jack Plackter said Pulte hopes the housing market will improve in a few months after it has received other necessary approvals from the EHTMUA and for utilities.