Residents press Hamilton Township Council to preserve Back Creek Farm amid rezoning concerns

Dozens of Hamilton Township residents urged the council on Tuesday to protect a 100-acre parcel known as Back Creek Farm from potential rezoning that would lift Rural Resource Conservation (RRC) protections.

Ames Hoyt, a Yardville resident, told the council he and neighbors were alarmed by reports that parts of the RRC zone are at risk. "If you go ahead with [removing] protections for Back Creek Farm, it means that none of Hamilton's protected land is safe," Hoyt said, urging council members to state explicitly they will not rezone any RRC parcels.

Other residents echoed that concern. Chelsea Schultz said the town recently preserved 10 acres in Cruiser Woods and that Back Creek Farm — described by speakers as near Stanbury Way behind the Amazon warehouse — is much larger and important to local farmland and wetlands. Ed Pfeiffer asked council members to commit to protecting the parcel and to vote against any ordinance that rezones the land from RRC to an R&D or commercial zoning.

Council members repeatedly declined to make specific pronouncements on the record, citing the possibility of pending litigation. Council counsel advised against detailed responses that might affect future legal proceedings. Council members emphasized their past votes preserving hundreds of acres of open space, with one council member saying, "Our track record is a plus 100% on preserving open space."

Council leaders asked residents to continue using official channels — email and public comment — and to bring concerns to the mayor, county and state officials as needed for funding and oversight. The council referred proposed amendments to the town's Land Development chapter to the Planning Board under NJSA 40:55D-26, a procedural step that drew the public comments.

The next procedural step will be the Planning Board review; council members did not adopt any rezoning ordinance during the meeting. Residents said they will continue to press the issue in future meetings and through direct communications with the council.