A sharply divided Howell Council recently approved zoning changes to allow for 831 high density housing at two sites in Howell. Both new development zones were approved by 3-2 votes, with the three Republicans voting yes and the two Democrats voting no.
In the first 3-2 vote, the Council approved the rezoning of a property on the corner of Tyrpak and West Farms Road to permit 467 apartment units. The vote was split along party lines with the three Republican Council Members Evelyn O’Donnell, Thomas Russo and Pamela Richmond voting yes and with Democrats Theresa Berger and John Bonevich voting against the rezoning.
In a similar 3-2 vote, the Council rezoned a second property located on Route 9 just south of Howell Lanes to permit construction of three-story townhouses. A total of 364 units can now be built on the 19-acre site. Council Members O’Donnell, Russo, and Richmond approved the zoning changes while Mayor Berger and Councilman Bonevich voted no.
“Nobody in Howell wants this development. I wish the Republicans on Council cared more about Howell residents than their developer friends,” said Mayor Berger.
Berger further explained why she voted against the new development zones stating, “This high-density housing will increase the traffic on Route 9 and strain our infrastructure.
These types of rental units always end up increasing property taxes for homeowners, because they use much more in services than they pay in taxes.”
The rezoning was passed as part of the town’s response to an affordable housing lawsuit.
The developer is expected to submit plans to the planning board shortly, and to begin construction within a year.
“We shouldn’t forget that there are still tracts of undeveloped land on the southern border adjoining Lakewood. If the Republicans rezone those properties too, we could face a staggering increase in population and growth.”
Councilman John Bonevich
Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell, in discussing her goals for Howell’s future, commented that her goal is to “prevent unnecessary high-density development.” Bonevich noted that her voting record proves the opposite. The overdevelopment of Howell has become the key issue in the upcoming local elections. In the last two elections, the voters elected Berger and Bonevich in the hope of slowing the new building. However, the two Democrats, with their minority position on the 5-member governing body, have been frequently out-voted by the 3 Republicans in their attempts to limit development.
In this November’s election, Councilwoman Evelyn O’Donnell and Suzanne Brennan are running on the Republican ticket, facing Democrats Theresa Berger and Andre de Garmeaux.