The Bernards Planning Board is currently engaged in a review [aka "reexamination"] of the township master plan.  This task is undertaken every six years and is mandated by state law.  Working meetings are held at Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month.  Members of the public may observe and there is opportunity for public comment.

“Land Use” is the principal element in the master plan,  The review must include the goals, objectives, and recommendations for land use throughout the township, and this includes residential development.

Bernards currently has many kinds of houses that serve many kinds of households.  However, current regulations restrict new residential development to single family units.  Statewide data over decades has shown that single family units in the aggragate tend to produce fiscal losses, and multifamily units in the aggragate tend to produce fiscal profits.  Extensive data show that we have this condition in Bernards.

There is a simple explanation:  Single family units in Bernards are on average home to four times as many public school students as multifamily units.  The average tax revenue produced for each student from a single family unit is about half the revenue produced for each student from a multifamily unit.     

I propose that the township development regulations be revised to allow the substitution of two townhouse units for each single family unit that is allowed under current zoning, in those locations where there will be no adverse impact on nearby property owners.

In addition to the fiscal benefit, townhouses use and disturb less land.  This is particularly relevant for the future of the quarry land.  A townhouse development on the relatively unsteep south slope will allow the lake and surrounding land to be used for a public park.

I have submitted two letters to the Planning Board supporting this proposal and made a brief presentation to the board on June 24.  To read the letters click on June 17 letter and June 25 letter. 

Bill Allen,  July 10, 2009 and July 27, 2009