Some residents receiving letters with a site plan but details must be negotiated
PETERSBURG — The Beesley’s Point Development Group is moving forward with its proposal for the redevelopment of the B.L. England Generating Station site.
Township Committee announced April 14 that residents living within 200 feet of the wetlands part of the 350-acre property will be receiving a letter and site plan as part of the process for the group to obtain a Coastal Area Facilities Review Act permit from the Department of Environmental Protection.
Solicitor John Amenhauser said the township received a letter from ACT Engineers on behalf of the BPDG.
“It’s a notice for a CAFRA permit, so it is not a permit that’s being issued by the township,” he said. “It’s one of many layers of administrative approvals that are going to be required to develop there.”
Amenhauser said the township wanted to make everyone aware of the situation before rumors started, noting only a small portion of homeowners would be getting the letter.
“You’re not all going to get it but there may be some people in this room if you live in that area that will get it, so we wanted to just let you know as to what this is. It’s not a township application and it is not a township permit that is being sought,” he said.
Amenhauser said the letter would contain a site plan concept of the proposed development and information related to exactly what amenities and number of housing units are being sought.
“Again, this is not something that’s been approved by this township as of yet, so it’s subject to change,” he said. “Before you saw it on Facebook or anywhere else, we just wanted to let you know.”
Partner David Kreutz told the Sentinel that the BPDG would be making a formal presentation of the project during the Township Committee meeting April 28. Township Clerk Joanne Herron could not confirm that would be on the agenda.
The Beesley’s Point Development Group bought the property in November 2021.
Chris Wilson is co-founder along with Tim Niedzwiecki, while Kreutz is executive vice president and director of economic development and Chad Parks is executive vice president of real estate and development.
The BPDG has entered into a redevelopment agreement with the township for development of the site, with plans for a marina, bayfront hotel and retail shops, along with residential development and a significant nature component that will be open to the public.
Before the partners can do any of that, they had to demolish and remove multiple buildings — including a cooling tower and smokestack, both of which were done with explosives to great fanfare — and must obtain approvals from the township and state agencies.
The complex site borders Great Egg Harbor Bay and includes wetlands, lowlands, uplands and maritime forests — criss-crossed by multiple natural and man-made paths — that are home to numerous species of plants and animals.
The coal-fired power plant was a major factor in the township for nearly 60 years as a source of jobs, electricity and funding, as well as a constant stream of black smoke emitting from its smokestack. Plans to convert it to natural gas failed when a permit could not be secured to run the line through the sensitive Pine Barrens and the plant eventually closed.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff