Residents and environmental groups tell Pinelands Commission Hexa redevelopment approval is procedurally flawed and threatens wetlands and aquifer

Multiple public commenters addressed the Commission during the public‑comment period and pressed a string of procedural and environmental claims about the Hexa redevelopment proposal in Monroe Township.

Mark Pazazzi, who identified himself for the record, said the Hexa redevelopment property (Block 8401) was not designated through the planning‑board process required under municipal law and that ordinance O‑04‑2023 — which the Commission previously certified — relies on a designation that "never occurred." He said the township records and resolutions do not include Block 8401 and asked the Commission to consider that any certification based on a void municipal action would itself be void. Pazazzi told commissioners he was submitting a written packet for the record.

Brandon Powers (who identified himself on the record) cited federal and state wetlands authorities — including Clean Water Act section 404, Corps/EPA veto authority and NJDEP freshwater wetlands rules (NJAC citations referenced in his remarks) — and argued that if practical alternatives exist that avoid wetlands, a 404 permit should be denied. He asserted the project is not water‑dependent and said an alternatives analysis had not been provided.

Other speakers, including representatives from Highlands Alliance and the Grady Harbor Watershed Association and individual residents, expressed concern about noise impacts on nocturnal species, large water allocations to one user, limited public notification in redevelopment procedures and the need for stronger municipal standards or Commission guidance. One commenter said a Monroe Municipal Utilities Authority allocation for the Hexa project was for "1,400,000 gallons per day," a figure the commenter presented as cause for concern; that allocation was asserted by the public commenter and was not verified in the Commission's presentation.

Commission staff accepted copies of written materials from members of the public and indicated staff would review and monitor municipal action; the meeting record shows no formal legal finding on the allegations during this session.

The chair closed public comment and commissioners moved to adjourn; no formal vote tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.