Diocese revamps project near Havens Cove Road BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer BRICK TOWNSHIP - The Diocese of Trenton has submitted revised plans for a controversial subdivision near Havens Cove Road. The new plan keeps the number of lots at 11, but the lot configurations have been changed to preserve more wetlands and buffer zones, said Nicholas Montenegro, the Brick attorney who represents the diocese. "Our new plan does that," he said. "It kind of changes the lot lines." The subdivision has been on the Planning Board agenda a number of times over the past two years. The plan was slated to be heard at the May 9 board meeting, but was postponed again at the diocese's request. "We are still waiting for a report from the township engineer," Montenegro said. Residents in the area and the environmental group Save Barneget Bay have opposed the project from the beginning. They contend the area is too wet for development. Building the proposed homes would exacerbate existing flooding problems on the tract's wetlands and would damage the ecological balance, they have said. Developer Thomas Critelli originally wants to build 15 homes on the 37.56-acre parcel, which is owned by the diocese, but scaled back the number to 11 homes after several board meetings. Critelli has since dropped out of the project, but the diocese is still seeking approval for the major subdivision, Montenegro said. "They want to get it approved," he said. "It gives them options on what they want to do." The parcel could also be purchased for open space, Montenegro said. The plan is now scheduled for the June 13 board meeting. "It's the same plan," Montenegro said. "It's a lot yield of 11 lots. The rest is open space that will be donated to the town." The original plans called for 13 lots, with 11 2.5-story, single-family homes and two lots that would be dedicated to the township for open space." The application has been postponed at least six times since it was first presented to the Planning Board. The property has been on the township's open space wish list for years, but the diocese and township officials have never been able to agree on a price. The original project called for clear-cutting over 12 acres of woodland and a portion of the wetlands. The homes would be located on a cul-de-sac, a dead-end to a proposed Atlantic Drive extension road that is part of the project.