The proposed Environmental Education Center will be situated within the RCW zone, a district explicitly designated for wildlife preservation. The center is set to feature a 2,900-square-foot facility that includes a two-car garage and a maintenance building, occupying less than one acre of the expansive 90-acre lot. The project aims to offer educational opportunities and promote outdoor activities, providing a connection point for local families and children to engage with the township’s natural resources.

Eric Keller, a professional engineer and planner, provided detailed testimony on the site plans, highlighting the project’s environmentally considerate features. These include the incorporation of a rain garden and an underground infiltration basin for stormwater management. Access to the site will be facilitated through existing driveways from South Peok Road, and the development will include 24 parking spaces, surpassing township requirements.

The board’s decision to approve the project was reached after thorough discussions on various aspects, including parking standards, building height, and environmental impacts. Variances were required for the project’s front yard setbacks and building height, with the proposed center standing at approximately 27.7 feet, exceeding the zoning limit of 15 feet. The planning board, taking into account the unique environmental constraints of the site, justified these variances under municipal land use laws, acknowledging the exceptional circumstances affecting the property.

Concerns surrounding light pollution and its impact on the local environment were addressed, with assurances that lighting would be limited to security needs and not extend unnecessarily into the surrounding areas. The proposal includes the installation of eight LED fixtures to ensure efficient lighting, with potential adjustments to incorporate motion sensors to minimize disruption to wildlife.

The planning board emphasized the importance of balancing development with environmental preservation, recognizing the educational benefits the center would provide for school children and local residents.

Additionally, board members discussed the need for traffic management during events at the center, with suggestions to coordinate with local police to ensure safety and accessibility. The proposed facility also aims to enhance public access to existing trails.

Throughout the deliberations, the board remained focused on ensuring that the proposed developments aligned with the township’s planning goals and community needs.

In other business, the planning board reviewed a redevelopment plan for the Silven Way site, designated as block 202, lot 1.1. The area, situated in the RO research office laboratory district, was presented for master plan consistency review. The redevelopment plan proposed warehouses and related logistics services, excluding fulfillment centers, in a bid to allow for the storage and distribution of goods. Concerns were raised over the proposed parking requirements, with suggestions to adjust the standard to one space for every 1,000 square feet, but the board ultimately maintained the current requirement of one space for every 2,500 square feet to ensure consistency across the township’s ordinances.

The meeting also touched on a master plan consistency review for Park and Willow Lanes, but the discussion was deferred due to the absence of the representative from Burgess. This case is scheduled for further discussion later in the month.