Dear Community Friends,
Did you know that Mantua Township has been a leader throughout Gloucester County in controlling overdevelopment and urban sprawl? One main goal of our Township’s Master Plan is Land Stewardship with a primary focus on areas along the corridor of Heritage Road, etc. Our master plan depicts zoning that protects the rural character and rural quality of life of our community.
We have preserved a total of 24 farms within our community equating to 1,089.67 acres. The first preserved was Eachus Farm back in 1999. We have paved the way with the preservation of open space by securing 696 acres in Mantua Township. To date, that’s the most open space preserved by any of the 24 municipalities in Gloucester County. In 2016, the former Maple Ridge Golf Course was preserved to create the Tall Pines State Preserve. Tall Pines State Preserve is the very first State Park in Gloucester County. It’s 110 acres and is located in parts of both Mantua and Deptford Townships, and in 2006 was once slated for 123 housing units.
To provide an overall perspective, Mantua Township is 10,008 acres. To date, we have preserved almost 1,786 acres.
The last major residential subdivisions in Mantua Township were the Legends at Mantua in 2015 and the Country Gardens Over 55 Community that began in 2006. However, the final phase of Country Gardens wasn’t finalized until 2021 after a new developer took over the property and eventually finished out the project. Residential construction has been somewhat limited throughout the township in recent years with the vast majority of those being single family custom homes spread sporadically around the municipality.
Commercial development has also been somewhat limited in recent years. For example, our four major big box stores in the township are Home Depot, Kohl’s, Lowe’s and Target. Home Depot and Kohl’s received the township’s approval to build over twenty years ago in 2003, and Lowe’s and Target received the township’s approval to build seventeen years ago in 2007. The last commercial building actually constructed in our township was Auto Zone in March 2021. The most recent commercial building approval was granted in 2022 for the projected Cloud 10 Car Wash in the Timberline Shopping Center. The construction of this car wash has not begun as of yet.
With that being said, we have some exciting projects on the horizon tied to Rowan University on the outskirts of Mantua. We excitedly anticipate the grand opening of the world class Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University which is home to 66-million-year-old marine fossils from the cretaceous period. Rowan’s West Campus in Mantua Township along the Rt. 322 corridor also highlights the Shriver School of Veterinary Medicine which will become the very first Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) School in New Jersey.
It should be noted that the township’s master plan identifies specific parcels of land, and the designated zoning uses, i.e. residential, commercial and industrial, etc. Contrary to belief, a municipality cannot regulate businesses by preference. In simplistic terms and by example, a township cannot customarily deny a commercially zoned project solely because a McDonald’s is desired by its residents over a Burger King, etc. Furthermore, a variance free housing development cannot legally be denied if it meets the appropriate zoning criteria.
The Township Committee and I have stood united in our efforts to try and find the right balance for our community. Some change is inevitable with the adherence to our master plan that delineates the specified zoning of land throughout our community, along with the expectation of some progress through community dynamics. Our rural quality of life is a priority, however, the process of incorporating ratables is sometimes advantageous to help fund our schools, public safety and other governmental services.
For these reasons, and for others mentioned in my prior weekly messages, it’s no surprise that Mantua Township was recently ranked as the third best town in Gloucester County, and the tenth best town in South Jersey by South Jersey Magazine.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- Thursday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. is the next Historical Commission Meeting.
- Saturday, Aug. 3 is the next Convenience Center Drop-Off at our Public Works Facility between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, myself and the entire Township Committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
