Housing proposal slammed

Harmony residents fear contamination.

Friday, September 17, 2004

By PETER HALL

The Express-Times

HARMONY TWP. -- Township residents aired their concerns Thursday about Centex Homes' 315-unit Riverwalk housing project after nearly a year of listening to the developer present its plans.

Concern about the development's impact on ground water and the possibility of sinkholes dominated testimony during the planning board hearing, which was attended by about 100 people.

Township environmental commission Chairman Brett Bragin urged the planning board to deny approval for the project on technical grounds.

He said a review of the developer's application by the environmental commission revealed its environmental impact statement fails to address many of the issues required by township law.

The Riverwalk project is proposed for a 185-acre site off Garrison Road that borders River Road to the east. It is the result of a mid-1980s lawsuit filed under provisions of the state Supreme Court's Mount Laurel decisions on affordable housing.

The project would include 42 affordable homes in 21 duplex units. Six of the affordable homes would be set aside for senior citizens.

Planning Board Chairman Gilbert Greene said he expects to spend at least one more meeting taking testimony from the public before voting.

Among the groups scheduled to make formal presentations at next month's planning board meeting is the Phillipsburg Riverview Organization.

Attorney Tom Borden, of the Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic, said PRO is concerned that the project could upset the equilibrium of the area's groundwater supply and increase the possibility of groundwater pollution and sinkholes.

Bragin said among the 13 topics not addressed in Riverwalk's environmental impact statement is a survey of the subsurface water conditions.

"Information on the water table is crucial," he said.

Township resident Bill Rosebrock said the farmland site where the project is proposed is unsuitable from the ground down.

The soil on the site would allow treated wastewater from the project's on-site sewage treatment plant to percolate into the groundwater too quickly. The type of soil is also an indicator that the limestone bedrock is riddled with caverns that could cave in if additional water is introduced to the area.

Rosebrock pointed to the failure of bridges that carry Pennsylvania Route 33 over the Bushkill Creek as an example of the effect development can have on limestone geology.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was forced to rebuild both bridges after one partially collapsed and engineers discovered sinkholes beneath the foundations of both.

Resident John McKernon asked whether the township could be held liable if Centex builds the development and the homes suffer structural problems due to sinkholes. Planning Board Attorney Lyn Paul Aaroe said he couldn't ethically offer an opinion.

Residents also addressed issues other than the environmental impact of the project.

Jim Fox questioned the wisdom of building a suburban-style subdivision in a community with no police department or emergency squad.

Mark Harlos said the developer's community impact statement misstates the number of students the project would add to the township's school district. He also said the document understates the increase in education costs by about $330,000.

Harlos also said the development would be out of place amid square miles of working farmland.

"It's as if a UFO came along and dumped this thing here," he said.

Reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at phall@express-times.com.




Housing proposal slammed Harmony residents fear contamination. Friday, September 17, 2004 By PETER HALL The Express-Times HARMONY TWP. -- Township residents aired their concerns Thursday about Centex Homes' 315-unit Riverwalk housing project after nearly a year of listening to the developer present its plans. Concern about the development's impact on ground water and the possibility of sinkholes dominated testimony during the planning board hearing, which was attended by about 100 people. Township environmental commission Chairman Brett Bragin urged the planning board to deny approval for the project on technical grounds. He said a review of the developer's application by the environmental commission revealed its environmental impact statement fails to address many of the issues required by township law. The Riverwalk project is proposed for a 185-acre site off Garrison Road that borders River Road to the east. It is the result of a mid-1980s lawsuit filed under provisions of the state Supreme Court's Mount Laurel decisions on affordable housing. The project would include 42 affordable homes in 21 duplex units. Six of the affordable homes would be set aside for senior citizens. Planning Board Chairman Gilbert Greene said he expects to spend at least one more meeting taking testimony from the public before voting. Among the groups scheduled to make formal presentations at next month's planning board meeting is the Phillipsburg Riverview Organization. Attorney Tom Borden, of the Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic, said PRO is concerned that the project could upset the equilibrium of the area's groundwater supply and increase the possibility of groundwater pollution and sinkholes. Bragin said among the 13 topics not addressed in Riverwalk's environmental impact statement is a survey of the subsurface water conditions. "Information on the water table is crucial," he said. Township resident Bill Rosebrock said the farmland site where the project is proposed is unsuitable from the ground down. The soil on the site would allow treated wastewater from the project's on-site sewage treatment plant to percolate into the groundwater too quickly. The type of soil is also an indicator that the limestone bedrock is riddled with caverns that could cave in if additional water is introduced to the area. Rosebrock pointed to the failure of bridges that carry Pennsylvania Route 33 over the Bushkill Creek as an example of the effect development can have on limestone geology. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was forced to rebuild both bridges after one partially collapsed and engineers discovered sinkholes beneath the foundations of both. Resident John McKernon asked whether the township could be held liable if Centex builds the development and the homes suffer structural problems due to sinkholes. Planning Board Attorney Lyn Paul Aaroe said he couldn't ethically offer an opinion. Residents also addressed issues other than the environmental impact of the project. Jim Fox questioned the wisdom of building a suburban-style subdivision in a community with no police department or emergency squad. Mark Harlos said the developer's community impact statement misstates the number of students the project would add to the township's school district. He also said the document understates the increase in education costs by about $330,000. Harlos also said the development would be out of place amid square miles of working farmland. "It's as if a UFO came along and dumped this thing here," he said. Reporter Peter Hall can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at phall@express-times.com. Copyright 2004 NJ.com. All Rights Reserved.