FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

March 19, 2006

Proposed Hotel Ordinance

In an effort to attract more business revenue to the Township, the governing body has been evaluating alterations to the Township’s ordinance that governs Hotels allowed in Howell. The matter is slated to be discussed at the new Council meeting on Tuesday, March 21^st (8pm the public portion begins) at Town Hall.

There has been some discussion about one parcel of land along US 195 where the property owner has expressed an interest in building a hotel, conference center, banquet facility and certain shops and stores to complement the project. There is not formal application to build anything with the township at this time. Never the less, this one location has drawn considerable interest and attention. It is important to point out that any change in the Hotel ordinance must be crafted so that it is never specific to just one project. Ordinances like this have to fairly address like businesses in any of the permitted zones. Today, the law would allow for hotels to be built in the highway zones, primarily along Route 9 and Route 33.

I have publicly commented that a first class hotel, conference center and banquet facility would be a benefit to the township. We do not have such a facility today. In particular a conference center could attract seminars, conferences and other business events to the township. Such venues can generate more business for today’s business community. Plus, a new hotel and banquet facility would offer a needed amenity to the area, create new jobs and bring in significant revenue to the tax coffers that can be used to help offset costs now bore by home owners.

I do however want to point out that the Ordinance under discussion is a ‘draft” and is a work in progress. For example, the proposed language would allow a hotel to be built on only 3 acres. I believe this is too small and that a 10 acre minimum tract size would be much better. A larger lot size will ensure that the facility is more desirable from an appearance perspective. It will also ensure that the project will be better planned out and not crammed into a small space.

Also, the draft language would allow for a hotel to be 6 stories high. Here too, I think we need to alter the proposed language. Today, a Hotel is limited to 3 stories. In my view 6 stories may be too high and a more appropriate size limit may be 4 or 5 stories. At these heights, it will also ensure that any such hotel will blend into the natural fabric of the community.

I am a proponent of smart business growth that will bring in much needed tax revenue to help offset the tax burden on home owners. Well designed hotels, conference centers and banquet facilities can be desirable to Howell and so we need to make sure our laws will be conducive to these type businesses and also protect our residents at every turn.

  As we discuss this or any law designed to attract the right kind of business to our community it will be important that we balance the need for tax revenue against the need to preserve the rural character that is much of Howell. Please weigh in on this and other topics so that your voice is heard.

  Please tell me know how you feel about this important issue. Please call or email me anytime at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us. May God Bless our Troops, May God Bless America and May God Bless Howell Township.

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