===== PAGE 1 ===== ## OWEN, LITTLE & ASSOCIATES INC Engineers Planners Surveyors GIS Specialists ## March 4, 2026 Jackson Township Planning Board 95 West Veterans Highway Jackson, NJ 08537 Re: P/F Major Site Plan Approval with Bulk Variance Applicant: Hope Commercial Holdings Block: 20901 Lots: 15 Location: 30 South Chapel Road Zone: RGC-2 (Regional Growth Commercial) OLA File No.: JKPB-25-501 Second Review Dear Chairman and Board Members: We have received and reviewed the following material in conjunction with the referenced application: 1. “Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, Block 20901, Lot 15, Township of Jackson, Ocean County, New Jersey”. The drawings, consisting of Twenty-Two (22) Sheets, have been prepared by Dynamic Engineering, and are signed by Rodman Ritchie, NJPE #43547. The plans are dated 02/13/2026, with a latest revision date of 07/10/2025. 2. Boundary, Location & Topography Survey, prepared by Dynamic Survey, LLC, dated 10/22/2021, and signed by Craig Black, NJ Lic. No., 24GBO04257400. 3. Report of Geotechnical & Stormwater Basin Area Investigation, prepared by Dynamic Earth, dated 06/24/2022, with a latest revision date of 10/07/2024. 6. Environmental Impact Statement prepared by for 1980 Swarthmore, LLC, Proposed Office Building prepared by Dynamic Engineering and signed by Rodman R. Ritchies, NJPE #43547. The report is dated February 2026 with no revision dates indicated. 4. Stormwater Management Groundwater Recharge and Water Quality Analysis, prepared by Dynamic Engineering, dated 08/2023, with a latest revision date of 02/2026. 5. Traffic Impact and Parking Assessment prepared by Dynamic Traffic, signed by Justin Taylor, PE, PTOE, Sr. Principal and John Pesce, PE, Project Manager. The report is dated with a latest revision date of 02/12/2026 indicated. 7. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report is prepared by Dynamic Earth and dated June 17, 2022, with no revision dates indicated. 8. Traffic Regulation Review prepared by Dynamic Traffic, signed by Justin Taylor, PE #45988 and dated 02/12/2026 with no revision dates indicated. 9. Architectural Drawings prepared by Rise Architecture and dated 02/12/2026. 10. Roadway Right-of-Way Survey prepared by Dynamic Engineering and dated 01/06/2026 with no revision dates indicated. ===== PAGE 2 ===== The applicant seeks approval for Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan Approval associated with the construction of a (14,979 SF) 3-story office building on the subject property. Additional Site improvements include a new two-way driveway connection to South Hope Chapel Road, off-street parking, lighting, landscaping, solid waste storage and stormwater management facilities and all typical site improvements. The 49,270 SF tract is located on the Northwesterly corner of South Hope Chapel Road and privately owned Garden Street within the RGC-2 Regional Growth Zoning District. The site has been previously developed with a residential dwelling and various garages and sheds, all designated to be removed. Based on our review of the submitted materials, we offer the following for the Board's consideration: ### A. Zoning: (Regional Growth Commercial)
ParaemterRGC-2Proposed
Minimum Lot Area20,000 SF (0.46 AC)49,270 SF (1.13 AC)
Minimum Lot Width100 FT188.8 FT
Minimum Front Yard Setback60 FT86.2 FT
Minimum Rear Yard Setback30 FT86 FT
Minimum Side Yard Setback10 FT59.5 FT
Minimum Side Yard Setback (Combined)30 FT123.2 FT
Maximum Building Height35 FT36 FT*
Parking Area Setbacks:
R.O.W.20 FT20 FT
Residential Property Line20 FT10.2 FT*
Non-Residential Property Line10 FT10 FT*
*Variances Required: 1. Maximum Building Height (244-96.D): 35 FT is Permitted; 36 FT is Proposed. 2. Minimum Parking Setback to Residential (244-96.D): 20 FT is Required; 10.2 FT and 18.6 FT are Proposed. ### B. General Comments ### 1. Environmental Considerations - a. The applicant has submitted an Environmental Impact Statement as required by ordinance. The applicant should review stated conclusions and specific methodology in establishing same. The applicant should also address any comments which have been received from the local Environmental Commission. b. The site falls under the Pinelands Commission Jurisdiction. As Certificate of Filing has been issued which notes the following inconsistencies with the CMP and local ordinance which should be addressed by the applicant: Water Quality (N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.83) ===== PAGE 3 ===== The proposed development will be serviced by public sanitary sewer. The application proposes to connect to an existing sanitary sewer manhole located on Block 21301, Lot 10.01 in Jackson Township located across South Hope Chapel Road from the proposed development. There is an existing commercial shopping center located on that parcel. It has not been demonstrated that there currently is adequate sanitary sewer capacity in Jackson Township to accommodate the proposed development. ####### Stormwater Management – Volume (N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.84(a)6iv(1)) The Township land use ordinance and the CMP require that any proposed development retain and infiltrate the total runoff volume generated from the net increase in impervious surfaces by a 10-year, 24-hour storm. The submitted stormwater management report demonstrates that this volume requirement will not be met below the lowest outfall elevation within the proposed subsurface infiltration basin. To be consistent, a total volume of 13,006 cubic feet of stormwater runoff must be retained and infiltrated below the lowest orifice elevation in OCS-A. ####### Stormwater Management - Total Nitrogen reduction (N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.84(a)6iv(6)) The Township land use ordinance and the CMP require that stormwater management measures be designed to achieve a minimum of 65 percent reduction of the post-development total nitrogen load from the developed site, including those permanent lawn or turf areas that are specifically intended for active human use, in stormwater runoff generated from the water quality design storm. The development has not been designed to meet this standard because the submitted information does not consider sidewalks when calculating to meet this standard and incorrectly applies a reduction in nitrogen for the landscaped areas. ####### Stormwater Management – Soil permeability (N.J.A.C. 7:50-6.84(a)6v(2)) The Township land use ordinance and the CMP require that stormwater infiltration facilities be sited in suitable soils verified by field testing to have permeability rates between one and twenty inches per hour. The submitted information indicates that the proposed subsurface infiltration basin will be located in soils having a permeability rate of twenty inches per hour, which is a “K5” soil. This permeability rate is not between one and twenty inches per hour. The applicant should address how these inconsistencies are to be addressed. 2. Utilities – The drawings indicate that the site will be serviced by public water and sewer facilities within South Hope Chapel Road. Any approval which the Board may grant, would be conditioned upon review and approval by the Jackson Township MUA. 3. Site Utilization and Proposed Operations – The applicant supplied Statement of Operations is attached to this engineering report. Supplementing any specific concerns the Board may have, the applicant should be prepared to address: a. Estimated number of employees. b. The nature and extent of any outdoor storage proposals. c. Days and hours of operation. d. Anticipated deliveries and pick-ups. ===== PAGE 4 ===== e. Security and site maintenance proposals. f. Overnight vehicle parking. g. Proposals for solid waste storage and handling including recyclables. h. Impacts of the proposed use in conjunction with traffic congestion, noise, glare, air pollution, fire and safety hazards. i. Electric vehicle charging stations and the extent of any roof top solar. Any approval which the Board may grant should be conditioned upon the applicant submitting a formal Description of Operations detailing all applicable operation disclosures as well as any specific use/operation restrictions the Board may impose. ### 4. Traffic Safety, Site Access, Circulation, Loading, and Road Improvements ### a. A Traffic Impact and Parking Analysis has been provided and concludes: Based upon our Traffic Assessment as detailed in the body of this report, it is the professional opinion of Dynamic Traffic that the adjacent street system of Ocean County will not experience any significant degradation in operating conditions with the proposed redevelopment of the site. The site driveway is located to provide safe and efficient access to the adjacent roadway system. The site plan as proposed provides for good circulation throughout the site and provides adequate parking to accommodate the Project's needs. The applicant has also provided a Traffic Regulation Review, Left Turn Across Painted Median which concludes: In conclusion, based on the comprehensive review of Title 39, the MUTCD, and the relevant UVC provisions, it is our professional determination that left turns into and out of a private driveway across a double-yellow line or striped median are not prohibited under New Jersey Law. Double-yellow markings do not, on their own, restrict left-turn movements. Such turns may only be prohibited where an official traffic-control device - such as a "No Left Turn" sign - has been installed by the roadway authority. The governing regulatory documents collectively support this interpretation, confirming that left-turn access across painted medians is permissible unless expressly restricted. The applicant should review these conclusions with the Board as well as the specific methodology in establishing same. b. Site access is proposed through 1 new 2-way driveway connection to South Hope Chapel Road. As South Hope Chapel Road is a County roadway facility, County Planning Board review and approval is required. The applicant should also address any input which has been received from the local Bureau of Fire Prevention and Traffic Safety. The driveway design will require the following design waivers: (244-197.J) – No driveway shall be located less than 10 FT from the property line or 30 FT from an existing drive (whichever is greater). The proposed driveway does not comply with either standard. ===== PAGE 5 ===== c. The new driveway connects to the site's main circulation aisle providing access to the business office building and all off-street parking areas. Based on aisle width and turning radii provided onsite circulation is conceptually acceptable. (244-197.J) – All entrances shall extend 100 FT into the site; 76 FT is proposed. (244-197.J) – All exit drives shall extend 60 FT into the site; 52 FT is proposed. (244-197.J) — Parking spaces shall not utilize a main circulation aisle. d. Based on overall floor area proposed designated loading zones are required. As no loading areas are indicated, supportive testimony is required. e. Based on the use and square footages proposed, required and provided parking is tabulated as follows:
RequiredProvided1
Business Office: (14,979 SF) (1 SP/200 SF)7563*
1Includes EV Credit *Variance Required f. Ordinance Standards require the construction of concrete curbing and sidewalk adjacent to the tract's South Hope Chapel Road frontage which has been provided. ### 5. Grading and Drainage a. Proposed site grading reflects a conceptually acceptable design. Proposed site topography will properly convey all runoff flows to stormwater management facilities while still providing for acceptable parking and yard area slopes. The applicant should confirm that the specific provisions of Ordinance Section 244-184 relating to clearing and grading will be met. The applicant should also discuss maximum retaining wall heights, location(s) and safety measures. a.1 Chapter 364 of the municipal Code regulates soil and fill importation and requires proper permitting be secured. No permit is required for any development that requires Planning Board/Zoning Board approval provided said approval contains conditions that meet the specific standards of Chapter 364. Should the current application anticipate placement of fill as regulated by Chapter 364, the applicant should be prepared to address how the specific provisions of Chapter 364 are being met. Specifically: - The applicant submits proof that the soil/fill material has been tested consistent with any applicable requirements of Chapter 364. The soil/fill meets the definition of “acceptable soil/fill” per Chapter 364. The application otherwise conforms with the standards of Chapter 364. The applicant's attention is directed to Chapter 364-3.E.2 for the specific information which must be provided on the plans currently under consideration by the Board. ### a.2 Ordinance 244-166 Regulated Soil Removal as follows: No topsoil, subsoil, sand or gravel shall be removed from any property or site in any zone unless and until a soil removal permit and/or license shall be obtained pursuant to Chapter 185, Excavations, Mining and Dredging, of the Code of the Township of Jackson; provided, however, that the following exceptions shall apply: ===== PAGE 6 ===== The Township Engineer may issue a soil removal permit, in conjunction with a building permit application, for removal of soil for building foundations and other structures, provided that the total amount of soil to be removed from any site does not exceed 500 cubic yards. The Planning Board may approve a soil removal permit, as a condition of its approval of an application for development, upon finding that the removal is necessary for the development of the site as approved by the Board, and further provided that the amount of soil to be removed from the property or site does not exceed 1,000 cubic yards. The applicant should confirm the 1000 CY limitation will not be exceeded or if a soil removal permit is required. b. The proposed stormwater management system consists of a series of interconnected driveway parking and yard area inlet structures discharging to an underground recharge area to the rear of the site. Although conceptually acceptable, the applicant should address the following: Proposals for future ownership and maintenance of the stormwater collection and management facilities. Subsurface soil conditions, available permeability as well as restricted layers which were encountered and anticipated "Time to Drain". Downstream impacts associated with any drainage system overflow. Provisions for drainage basin security, maintenance access and screen buffering. The ability to provide proper separation distance to the seasonal high-water table. Design inconsistencies with the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. c. All stormwater management systems approved by the Township require the submission of written and recorded documentation ensuring that the future maintenance of the system shall be the responsibility of the property owner. Copies of fully executed and recorded documents shall be submitted prior to signing of the development plans, commencement of any onsite construction or issuance of any construction permits. The applicant should confirm that specific provisions of Ordinance Section 244-209.J detailing maintenance plans/agreement requirements will be met. ### 6. Lighting and Landscaping a. Site Plan Drawing Sheet 10 of 22 detail the site lighting facilities which are proposed. Based on the lighting levels indicated, proposed site illumination is acceptable. However, the applicant should also be prepared to address: Confirmation that shielding will be provided to eliminate offsite glare impacts. Provisions for automatic activation/deactivation of site lighting facilities. Extent of all new building mounted lighting. ===== PAGE 7 ===== b. Site Plan Drawing Sheet 8 of 22 detail the site landscaping which is proposed and requires the following design waivers: Extent of internal safety island shrub plantings. Irrigation proposals. 7. Architectural Considerations – Architectural floor plan and elevation drawings have not been provided. Although specific architectural treatments including color schemes, surfacing materials, etc., cannot be specifically established. The applicant should be prepared to review proposed architectural treatments as well as address any specific questions the Board may have. Colored renderings should be available for Board review. 8. Solid Waste Storage – The drawings indicate that solid waste storage facilities consist of one (1) 10 FT x 20 FT masonry trash enclosure at the Northwesterly corner of the lot. The applicant should indicate adequacy of the facilities in relation to anticipated solid waste including recyclables as it appears additional trash storage areas are required. The applicant should also confirm that all specific provisions of Ordinance Section 244-208 relating to solid waste storage will be met including required landscaping. The trash area will require the following design waiver relief: 9. Site Signage – No site signage is proposed. All future site signage shall comply with ordinance standards. ### 10. Design/Submission Waivers Required- a. (244-197.J) – No driveway shall be located less than 10 FT from the property line or 30 FT from adjacent drives (whichever is greater). Driveway doesn’t comply with either requirement. b. (244-197.J) – All entrances shall extend 100 FT into the site; Less than 100 FT is proposed. c. (244-197.J) – All exit drives shall be a minimum of 60 FT into the site; Less than 60 FT is proposed. d. (244-197.J) – No parking stalls shall be within the entrance/exit drives; Parking is proposed. e. (244-197.B) – ADA parking spaces are required to be 12 FT wide whereas 8 FT wide is proposed. f. Off-Street Parking (244-197): 75 Spaces Required; 63 Spaces Provided. ### C. Outside Agencies – The applicant should indicate the status of the following outside agency permits/approvals which will be required in conjunction with any approval the Board may grant: 1. Jackson Township MUA 2. Jackson Township Bureau of Fire Prevention 3. Jackson Township Division of Traffic Safety 4. Jackson Township Environmental Commission 5. Jackson Township Recycling Coordinator 6. Jackson Township Tree Removal Permit 7. Jackson Township Soil Removal/Importation 8. Ocean County Health Department 9. Ocean County Planning Board 10. Ocean County Soil Conservation District 11. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ===== PAGE 8 ===== ### 12. Pinelands Commission ### D. Technical Revisions and/or Corrections- 1. The solid waste storage area should be reviewed for compliance with Ordinance 244-208. 2. Plan revisions required to address the specific provisions of Chapter 364, if applicable. 3. Provide an additional Soil Test Pit for the underground basin as well as the soil log and permeability test results. ### E. Recommendations- Any approval which the Jackson Township Planning Board may grant should be conditioned upon the following items being addressed prior to signing the map: 1. Compliance with all technical revisions and/or corrections previously indicated. 2. Plan revisions required by the denial of any requested variances and/or design waivers. 3. Receipt of approvals and compliance with all permit conditions from any Federal, State, County or local regulatory agency having jurisdiction over this application. 4. Posting of required performance bond and payment of required inspection fees. 5. Evidence of comprehensive general liability insurance coverage in accordance with ordinance standards. 6. Submission of an agreement from the applicant requesting that the appropriate section(s) of Tile 39, Subtitle 1, be made applicable to this site for police regulation of onsite traffic control devices. 7. Submission of an electronic file containing the entire site development. 8. Compliance with all standards as well as any special conditions which the Planning Board may impose. 9. The Court has entered a Judgment of Compliance and Repose (“JOR”) approving the Township’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan; and the Township has adopted ordinances and taken appropriate steps to implement the approved affordable housing plan. The Applicant must comply with the requirements of the JOR and the affordable housing ordinances of the Township. ===== PAGE 9 ===== Please be advised that the comments detailed above are based on our initial review of the application. Additional comments and/or plan revisions may be required based on formal presentation by the applicant and any public comment which is received. Very truly yours,
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Douglas F. Klee, P.E., P.P., C.M.E. Office of the Planning Board Engineer DFK:caa Attachment (Description of Operations)
L. Morrison, Planning Board Secretary, (lmorrison@jacksontwpnj.net)
R. Shea, II, Esq., Planning Board Attorney (bcshea@rcshea.com)
P. Warren (pwarren@rcshea.com)
K. Fischbach, Recycling Coordinator, (kfischbach@jacksontwpnj.net)
S. Bolinsky, Stormwater Coordinator, (sbolinsky@jacksontwpnj.net)
S. Spero, Township Forester (sspero@cmeusa1.com)
E. Peters, P.E., P.P., C.M.E., Township Planner (ernie.peters@rve.com)
Environmental Commission (jjordan@jacksontwpnj.net)
Bureau of Fire Prevention (Bureau@jacksonfiredist3.org)
S. Rauch, Fire Official (srauch@jacksonfiredistrict2.org)
S. O'Brien, Fire Official (sobrienjr@jacksonfiredistrict4.org)
Hope Commercial Holdings, Applicant- (info@hopecommercialholdings.com)
Salvatore Alfieri, Esq., Applicant's Attorney (salfieri@cgajlaw.com)
Richard T. Ortiz, P.E., Applicant's Engineer- (rortiz@dynamicec.com) (rritchie@dynamicec.com)
W:\PROJECTS\CLERICAL\JACKSON TWP\PLANNING BOARD\REVIEWS\25-501-HOPE COMMERCIAL HOLDINGS- PF MJRSP BV-2ND REV..DOCX ===== PAGE 10 ===== # SUMMARY STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For 1980 Swarthmore LLC Proposed Building 30 South Hope Chapel Road Block 20901, Lot 15 Township of Jackson Ocean County, NJ Prepared by:
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D DYNAMIC ENGINEERING 5 Greentree Centre, Suite 406 Marlton, NJ 08053 (856) 334-2000 July 2025 Last Revised February 2026 DEC # 3342-99-007 ===== PAGE 11 ===== The information provided within this Summary Statement of Operations serves as a general guideline only and is not intended to limit the flexibility of the proposed use or business. ### A. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The subject site is specifically identified as Lot 15 in Block 20901, as shown on the official Tax Maps of the Township of Jackson, Ocean County, New Jersey and consists of approximately 1.13 acres (49,270 SF). Under existing conditions, the property is developed as a single-family home and adjacent former contractor's yard. According to the Official Zoning Map for the Township of Jackson, the property is located within the RGC-2 (Regional Growth Commercial) Zone. The proposed project consists of constructing a 3-story business office, consisting of 14,979 SF. The proposed development also includes accompanying site improvements including parking areas, driveways, landscaping, lighting and stormwater management facilities. The subject parcel is located in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of South Hope Chapel Road (Ocean County Route 639) and Garden Street. The site is bordered to the north by commercial development, to the east by South Hope Chapel Road (C.R. 547), with residential development beyond to the west. ### B. PROPOSED BUSINESS ### 1. Hours of Operation The hours of operation for the proposed office building are Monday through Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM. ### 2. Number of Employees a. Office Building – Per multiple sources the current standard ratio employee to square footage of office space is 1 employee per 200 SF of office space. Therefore, the estimated number of employees is approximately +/- 75 employees. ### 3. Estimated Number of Truck Traffic It is anticipated that box trucks (SU-30) will make deliveries as needed to the proposed facility. Deliveries via tractor trailers are not expected. Deliveries will occur between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. ### 4. Trash Removal Bulk trash is expected to be stored in the exterior proposed trash enclosure and removed by a private waste hauler on an as needed basis -- typically 1-2 times/week. Recycling consisting of glasses, plastic, boxes, cardboard and paper packages, are stored in a containers in the exterior trash enclosure and removed by the recycling hauler on an as needed basis -- typically 1 time/week.