My motivation for this letter is to publicly praise the Haddonfield Planning Board for its January 2014 unanimous denial of the 201 Barberry Lane request for their property subdivision and new construction of a second residence. In this case the variance request for a 50-foot frontage was denied, and rightly so. My neighbors on Redman, Barberry and Homestead Avenues came out in force to offer strong legal arguments and compelling testimony against this subdivision request. The primary reason I am mentioning the Barberry denial for a subdivision is that the 605 Warwick subdivision request bears a striking resemblance to the Barberry appeal. If the subdivision is granted, the entire neighborhood would be drastically altered and diminished by demolishing a stately stone mansion situated squarely on a beautiful spacious lot and erecting 3 (originally 4) homes on that same lot. When I first learned about the 605 Warwick request for subdivision, I was saddened to think that a stellar landmark residence on Warwick Road, the “gateway into Haddonfield”, would no longer exist and would be replaced by 3 homes on that same site. I was stunned to think that someone would want to destroy this gorgeous neighborhood setting by erecting multiple homes on tiny subdivided lots that are out of character and size with the surrounding neighborhood.
I implore the Haddonfield Planning Board to deny this appeal for subdivision at 605 Warwick Road. The preservation of Historic Haddonfield in its entire bucolic splendor must become the top priority of the “powers that be”. Major reform is needed in our municipal laws concerning housing construction. I urge everyone who wants to preserve Haddonfield’s character and beauty to attend the Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall. Public comment is critical for the Planning Board to reach a just decision in this matter.
Ellen Console
