The Jackson Township Council is set to vote on an important ordinance Tuesday night that could significantly impact developers seeking to cram housing units together in Jackson. Ordinance 33-24 would amend the municipal land use code to reduce the number of homes that developers are allowed to build per acre within the Highway Commercial Mixed-Use (HCMU) Zone.
The key change in the ordinance involves a shift from calculating allowable homes based on “gross acreage” to “net acreage.” Under the existing “gross acreage” designation, developers could build more than four homes per acre when there is land they own on the property that is unsuitable for construction. The new “net acreage” standard would limit developers to building only four homes per usable acre, effectively reducing the number of homes that can be built.
This ordinance specifically reduces the number of homes that are allowed to be built in the Adventure Crossing development – which contains many acres of of unusable land, and additional acres designated for commercial use – by a staggering 800 homes.
“This ordinance is crucial for ensuring that developments don’t overwhelm our infrastructure,” Councilwoman Jennifer Kuhn told Lakewood Alerts. “Our residents deserve responsible growth that protects the character of our town and doesn’t lead to overcrowding.”
Councilman Mordy Burnstein also endorsed the measure, noting the long-term importance of controlling residential density in the community. “Overdevelopment is something that we take seriously and are taking steps to address,” Burnstein said. “This ordinance gives us the tools we need to limit the impact of new projects on our schools, roads, and public services. It’s about making sure that our growth is sustainable.”
The council’s vote on Tuesday night will be the first reading of the ordinance. If it passes the first and second readings, the new law will apply to all future developments within the HCMU Zone.
I mean why would anyone appose this measure aside for developers?