It’s not all bad news in these ongoing battles against warehouse development in our residential communities: this past Friday, Moore Township voted to deny such construction on the grounds of Southmoore Golf Course.
The seven-member board denied all requests from the applicant, Water’s Edge at Wind Gap, who sought to build two warehouses – 347,750 and 140,400 square feet – on Southmoore Golf Course, located at 235 Moorestown Road. The land is zoned for commercial use and warehouses are a permitted use.
You can read more details in the original WFMZ story, but this is a great example of how townships can push back on developers who consistently fail to meet the asks of the community with their proposals.
The board first voted to deny a reduced number of contended issues between the township and the developer. Those issues involved the meaning of the term “steep slopes” as it relates to Moore Township’s zoning code, green space requirements, and the extent to which the developer must disclose potential end users at the site.
All three were unanimously denied. Given that verdict, another eight challenges by Water’s Edge to the township’s SALDO which would have been conditionally withdrawn had the first three items been approved then required a verdict. All eight were also rejected unanimously. They involved open space recreation fees, improvements to Jones Road, additional improvements to Jones Road, grading of Jones Road, traffic sign requirements, various Moore Township SALDO requirements and steep slope SALDO requirements.
If developers try to dodge questions during public hearings, refuse to disclose more than the bare minimum and even try to prevent legitimate cross-examination, these projects do not have to be completed. It’s also worth noting that there were several hearings open to the public about this development, during which legitimate challenges and concerns were raised, and heard, by the township.
Will leave it with one final quote from a concerned member of their community:
“The township has really done a great job to follow the law, working together to make sure the applicant has followed the law. At the end of the day, the law is the law, and we were happy, but we know the fight’s not over.”
Eric watson, moore twp resident
Our fight is just beginning. Join our FB group and bring your energy to our ongoing cause. Also, consider joining us at future township hearings. The next hearing date is at the top of this page, and you can find more here. It’s the best, most direct way to show the township that we are concerned about this proposal on Rt. 222.
SAVE MAIDENCREEK 
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