0:28The Adventure Crossing project, a longstanding commercial endeavor at the heart of Jackson’s development efforts, sought board approval for several amendments. The applicant’s planner detailed the history and significant modifications to the site plan, emphasizing that the project spans 28.65 acres within the H commercial zoning district. The development, which has been in planning since 2009, aims to enhance commercial potential and is a part of the township’s master plan. Originally approved components included an air dome, hotels, and recreational fields, with the applicant working to acquire adjacent properties to create a more comprehensive commercial destination.

38:58The amendments proposed included repositioning uses within phase one of the project without eliminating existing components. A significant change involved relocating a Hilton Hotel to phase D along Mammoth Road, replacing previously approved fast-food restaurants and retail spaces. The relocation prompted inquiries about the development’s impact on overall traffic flow. The project was further complicated by a D1 variance requirement for a parking structure and a D6 variance for the combined height of a Marriott Hotel and commercial space, which would now stand six stories tall.

56:30In addition to the hotels, the amended plan introduced a new mixed-use commercial complex with 641 residential apartments, including market-rate and special needs affordable units. The commercial square footage across phase one was set at over 237,000 square feet, and the total proposed parking spaces exceeded zoning requirements, emphasizing the project’s thorough planning.

1:38:45On the other hand, the board addressed a variance application involving a tent utilized as a temporary house of worship on a property also hosting a wrestling school. Situated in the R3 zone, this application sought to reconcile the tent’s use until a permanent worship space could be constructed elsewhere—a project that had already received site plan approval. The site in question included a single-family residence that served as a rabbi’s home and a pole barn gym for wrestling, initially approved as a home occupation.

The application was further complicated by changes in local ordinances and the need for bulk variances due to side yard setbacks and landscape buffers. A conditional use variance was also necessary for the wrestling school, given its current operation with an owner no longer residing on the property. The wrestling school, described as a “pole barn,” raised zoning compliance questions, particularly as it operated under a non-conforming structure.

The board’s deliberations highlighted the complexities of allowing two principal uses on a residential property, with concerns about the legitimacy of the wrestling school as a home occupation. The tent, initially erected during the COVID-19 pandemic without permits, was a focal point of the variance request. Concerns about its compliance with health and safety regulations were raised, particularly regarding the septic system’s capacity and the tent’s fire safety measures.

Further testimony regarding the wrestling school’s operation and its parking requirements was anticipated, with a traffic engineer expected to provide additional insights. The board acknowledged the community benefits of the school while stressing the need to comply with zoning ordinances. Steve Rivera, the wrestling school owner, was recognized for his contributions to the community but faced challenges due to the zoning implications of his business on residential property.