Howell moves to buy 25.68 acres on Hul's Corner Road
A 25.68-acre farm parcel could become the first in a new round of Howell open space purchases, paid for with taxpayer-backed open space funds.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — agreement to purchase property for open, open public comment (consent agenda items), and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Mr. Gross said the township plans to preserve the Hul's Corner Road farmland “forever” and expects several more open space acquisitions within the next 60 days.
One farm field is now a public policy test. During township officials' reports, Township Manager Mr. Gross pointed to Resolution R26-261, an agreement to purchase a 25.68-acre parcel on Hul's Corner Road for open space and recreational purposes. He described the land as farmland and said the township wants to preserve that use permanently.
Mr. Gross framed the purchase as the first in a broader push. He said Howell expects this to be the first of a number of properties the township will acquire for open space and recreation, and then narrowed that timeline further: residents should expect several similar items over the next 60 days. He said the township was excited to preserve the parcel and put taxpayers' open space funds to use.
That matters because the resolution is not just about one property. If the township follows through on the schedule Mr. Gross outlined, residents could see a quick series of land-preservation actions before fall. For now, the clearest detail is the site itself: 25.68 acres on Hul's Corner Road, targeted for preservation as open land while keeping its farmland use intact. The remarks drew applause, a sign that this particular purchase landed as more than routine agenda business.
Open public comment (consent agenda items)
The consent agenda opened onto a much wider set of concerns. Council began public comment with the usual ground rules: speakers had to give their name and address for the clerk, address the council as a group, and keep remarks to one turn of no more than five minutes.
Residents then used that window to raise a broad mix of issues. They spoke about the impervious coverage ordinance, small business tax abatements, rental habitability inspections, housing and real estate practices, investor-owned rentals and their effect on neighborhoods, school system-based rebranding ideas, and questions about illegal rentals and zoning enforcement.
The exchange showed how a consent agenda comment period can turn into a snapshot of what residents are tracking across town. Council did not turn that portion into a debate; after hearing the speakers, members closed public comment by motion.
Council adopts data center ban
Council held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance O-26-18, which prohibits data centers in Howell zoning districts. One resident backed the move while drawing a line between large-scale facilities and smaller data centers that support internet and other services.
Council adopted zoning code changes prohibiting data centers across township districts after a public hearing.
Mayor sets next meeting date
In closing remarks, the Mayor said Howell will hold one meeting in August and urged drivers to watch for children, buses, and heavier traffic as school approaches. The next scheduled meeting is September 15, 2026, with executive session at 6:00 and regular session after.
Closing summer remarks and next meeting times do not change services, rules, or neighborhood conditions.
Board grants Maple Manor preliminary approval
The board gave preliminary approval to the Maple Manor mixed-use development on Route 9 after hearing testimony on housing, affordable units, commercial space, stormwater, site design, and access issues. The applicant can now continue outside agency review and return later with final details.
This project would add housing, affordable units, traffic impacts, and commercial space, affecting nearby roads and future development on Route 9.
Council introduces residential zoning amendments
Council introduced Ordinance O-26-21 to revise Chapter 188 land use schedules in residential zones. The proposal would change permitted uses, bulk and dimensional standards, definitions, and general applicability rules before any final adoption vote.
Residential zoning rules shape what can be built in neighborhoods and what standards property owners must meet.
- Howell Township Council. Council held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance O-26-18 amending the township code to prohibit data centers in zoning districts. One resident spoke in support, emphasizing the distinction between hyperscale facilities and smaller data centers.
- Howell Township Council. A resident urged the township to pursue a “rebranding” strategy for Howell, emphasizing the public school system as a key strength and proposing ideas such as incentives for young families, tax breaks for retirees, mentorship programs, and solar grid subsidies, while acknowledging zoning and public safety issues.
- Howell Township Council. During public comment on consent agenda items, a resident thanked the governing body for revising an ordinance and urged exploration of small business tax abatements under NJSA 40A:21-1 and a local habitability inspection requirement for rentals, offering draft ordinances to the township manager.
- Howell Township Council. Council held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance O-26-18 amending the township code to prohibit data centers in zoning districts. A resident supported the prohibition of large-scale data centers while recognizing smaller data centers’ role in internet infrastructure.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Howell Township had 18 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEResident presses council on illegal rentals and zoning enforcement. A resident urged stronger enforcement against alleged illegal rentals, unregistered landlords, and improper use in an R-3 zone. The comments also described neighborhood tensions and a personal dispute tied to those concerns.
- GOVERNANCECouncil/administration responses and updates: concert/fireworks event; habitability checklist review; data center ordinance intent; preservation efforts; DPW thanks; solicitation registration; rental/investor concerns; community relations. Officials responded to public comments and provided updates on a recent concert/fireworks event, review of rental habitability standards, intent behind the data center prohibition ordinance, ongoing land preservation efforts, DPW performance, solicitation registration, limits of local control over home purchases, and community relations concerns.
- GOVERNANCEResident proposes rebranding Howell around public schools. A resident urged the township to market Howell by emphasizing its public schools and family appeal. The suggestions included incentives for young families, support for retirees, and community programs alongside attention to zoning and public safety.
- GOVERNANCECorrespondence — carry request for SP1147 (G7B LLC) to September 3, 2026. The board secretary reported an email request asking the board to carry application case number SP1147 (G7B LLC) from the current agenda to September 3, 2026. The chair announced the matter was carried to that date with notice given.
- GOVERNANCEMeeting schedule reminders and email review request. The chair and secretary discussed upcoming meeting dates, including September 3 and September 17, and reminded members to check emails regarding the ordinance review and to ensure a quorum due to Labor Day timing.
- GOVERNANCEImpervious coverage ordinance revised and sent for review. Officials said a new impervious coverage ordinance replaces an earlier version after public feedback, with a sliding scale by lot size and clearer definitions. The Planning Board was asked to review it for master plan consistency ahead of council action planned for September 15.
- GOVERNANCEApplication — SP1138 JNS Flex Center LLC (preliminary/final major site plan; ancillary variance and design waiver relief). The board heard the continued presentation for SP1138 (JNS Flex Center LLC). The applicant described revisions that eliminated prior buffer and setback variances except for a technical buffer variance related to a property across Route 33. With no public comment, the board approved the application unanimously.
- GOVERNANCEResident urges tax abatements and rental habitability inspections. A resident thanked officials for revising the impervious coverage ordinance and asked the township to explore small business tax abatements. The same comments also urged a local rental habitability inspection requirement beyond existing fire inspections.
- GOVERNANCEApplication — SP993A-2 New Jersey Natural Gas Company (amended preliminary/final major site plan; design waiver relief). The board heard SP993A-2 for New Jersey Natural Gas to demolish an existing heater building and construct a new approximately 5,750 sq. ft. heater building at its LNG facility. Design waivers included internal driveway width and sidewalk contribution issues. With no public comment, the board approved unanimously.
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