By Joseph Sapia
COLTS NECK – Entertainer Jon Stewart and his wife, Tracey, began their application before the township Planning Board to develop a Route 537 farm into an agriculture sanctuary-education center, but quickly hit a bump in the road.
Shortly after the hearing opened Thursday, Nov. 10, lawyer Timothy E. Corriston – representing Marilyn and James Cracchiolo of Scobeyville Drive, adjoining neighbors of the Stewarts’ Hockhockson Farm – raised concerns about hours of operation, lighting and landscaping. The Cracchiolos also questioned whether the Stewarts should be before the township Zoning Board of Adjustment seeking variances from the agriculture zone in which the farm sits.
A visitor-education center, which the Stewarts propose, does not comply with the zoning, for example. But the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board OKed the center earlier this year, said John B. Anderson III, a lawyer for the Stewarts.
The Stewarts, along with Timothy Anfuso, the township planner and zoning officer, say the Planning Board is the correct board to hear the Stewarts’ site plan application.
“We’re not trying to stop the project,” Marilyn Corriston said. “We’re trying to work it out (with the Stewarts).”
Jon and Philip E. San Filippo, another lawyer for the Stewarts, agreed both sides are looking for a solution to any differences.
“We’re disappointed in the delay,” Jon told the Planning Board, but “we want to be responsible and responsive neighbors.”
“I would like to work this out, as well,” Marilyn told the Planning Board.
The Planning Board adjourned the hearing to Dec. 13. The meeting, which included a break, lasted less than an hour.
The adjournment gives the Stewarts and Cracchiolos time to resolve any issues, while the Cracchiolos can file an appeal to the Zoning Board to hear the case or split the case between the two boards – variances before the Zoners and site plan before the Planners. If no appeal is filed, the application stays before the Planning Board, Anfuso said.
Tracey Stewart declined comment after the Planning Board meeting, but Jon said it was unclear how this delay would affect an opening of the farm sanctuary-education center to the public.
“We want it to be a big asset to the community,” Jon said. “We had our presentation ready to go. Obviously, we want to be as responsive as we can.”
Tracey had previously said she hoped to get the center operating in the spring.
Plans – technically filed by FSP, a limited licensed partnership doing business as JTS Land Trust and Hockhockson Farm – for the 45-acre farm between Laird and Swimming River roads include building an 8,436-square-foot, two-story visitor and education center at the middle of the property. It would include offices, classrooms, restrooms, flexible space and a gift shop.
The idea would be for the sanctuary-center to educate people on such things as an introduction to agriculture, farming history, the relationship between farm and community, gardening basics, eating well with locally grown food and food production to consumption.
The center’s hours would be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week. School tours would be held weekdays, while adult and family activities, including classes, would be held Wednesday to Sunday.
Tours of 60 to 90 minutes would be done by appointment with five to 30 guests. Classes are expected to be held with 20 to 30 attending.
An after-school program would last from 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays for 10 to 25 children. The daily number of visitors would be limited to 150, including those using the after-school program.
Special events, such as lectures and fund-raising activities accommodating up to 250 people, would be held from 6 to 10 p.m. four to six times a year. Smaller lectures for up to 100 could be held once or twice a month. Security and traffic-control for special events would be coordinated with the township.
The center would have 60 parking spaces and a 69-vehicle overflow area. Hockhockson Farm would have two main driveways, one for entering the property, one for exiting.
A greenhouse would be built near the visitor-education center. Initially, the farm would have a steer, a cow, four pigs, three horses, 10 sheep or goats, six chickens and two turkeys. Paddocks would be on different parts of the property.
Fifteen employees will work on the property, basically between 6:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. But employees or a caretaker will be on the property at all times.
The farm now has a large farmhouse, which is not to be part of the public operation. The farm also has two smaller houses and 12 barns and outbuildings.
The Laurino Farms farm stand and vegetable and flower growing areas are to continue on the property. Its customers will not apply to limits on public attendance.
Tracey grew up on a farm and is a former veterinary technician. She is an animal advocate and the author of a book, “Do Unto Animals: A Friendly Guide to How Animals Live and How We Can Make Their Lives Better.”
Jon is the former host of “The Daily Show” on the Comedy Central television network. He remains involved in TV and film work.
The Stewarts live in Red Bank. Jon grew up in Central Jersey, in Mercer County.
Jon seemed to be his comedian self at the Planning Board meeting. During a break, he said in an exaggerated way to an acquaintance, “This is so exciting.”
And, when he addressed the planners, Jon, attending his first Planning Board meeting, joked, “For the record, this was way more dramatic and interesting than I thought it would be.”
