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Welcome to the Blog for Pemberton First. We're interested in helping to preserve the rural character of Pemberton Township that we have all come to love...join us as we petition the Township officials trying to change it.

Our Mission Statement:

The consequences of farmland development are a greater burden placed upon natural resources, increased demand on water supplies, increased housing density, congested roadways and a higher demand on all municipal services. Once we lose our farmland it's gone for good. Pemberton First is committed to encouraging the redevelopment and improvement of our neighborhoods and revitilization of the Browns Mills Town Center.
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Town Center

Monday, March 30, 2009

Will it move forward?

Restaurant application to be heard

By: MARK ZIMMARO
Burlington County Times

PEMBERTON TOWNSHIP - An application from a township councilman to open a restaurant and bar in Browns Mills will be heard by the planning board this week.

Thomas Inge has sought approval to open his sports bar and restaurant called the Hornet's Nest on Lakehurst Road for more than two years and recently was denied a request for a site-waiver plan in February 2008.

Now a year later and with the restaurant almost finished, Inge is requesting a minor site plan waiver from the township planners Thursday night.

"People in this town talk all the time that we need rateables," he said. "It's amazing what I have had to go through to try to open this restaurant here in Browns Mills. I wouldn't have had this problem in any other town. I wouldn't have to deal with Pinelands issues or an administration that doesn't want to keep the town underdeveloped."

Pemberton Township Mayor David Patriarca, a member of the planning board, declined to comment because the application has yet to be heard.

Inge said his first permit to redo the city water lines involving the building was granted in November 2006. In February 2007, he received his first construction permit to start changing the former library into the restaurant.

After what Inge estimates to be nearly $300,000 worth of improvements to his $175,000 purchase of the building, the restaurant remains closed. In December of 2007, Inge was issued a stop-work order from the township citing two violations.

Inge applied for a site waiver the following month but was denied when the planners said the project did not meet the necessary criteria to obtain the required waiver. The board said Inge did not receive proper approval from the Pinelands Commission and his property lacked sufficient on-site parking.

The 5,000-square foot building consists of a bar and restaurant on the first floor with $40,000 worth of big screen televisions. The upstairs is a banquet hall, which according to Inge, has a 50-inch flat screen that can be used for presentations. The Hornet's Nest is located next to Inge's former bar called Pine Village Tavern, which closed in February due to financial problems.

Inge has declared bankruptcy and if he is approved by the planning board for the variance to open the restaurant, he will have to appear in front of a bankruptcy judge and prove he has a financial plan to reorganize. If he is denied the waiver, Inge will be forced to sell the building at what he considers a significant loss.

"This is the last chance," Inge said. "If I don't get approved, I won't have another choice. Definitely and without a doubt I will have to sell it to pay the mortgage. There is no more money left after paying all these fees and attorneys, which is ridiculous."

Email: mzimmaro@phillyBurbs.com

How Will Our Septic & Sewer Be Changed?

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT PLANNING

The state has adopted new rules that affect all of us and how our sewerage (public & private septic) will be handled. Please take a look at the new rules by visiting the DEP website.

New Rules