PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that upon the Application of The Wetlands Institute (the “Applicant” or “TWI”), the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the Township of Middle (the “Zoning Board”) shall conduct a public hearing on Thursday, April 9, 2026, commencing at 6:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Township of Middle Municipal Hall located at 33 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, New Jersey 08210 (on the corner of Mechanic Street and Boyd Street, with access provided by way of the Municipal Court entrance to the Municipal Hall on Boyd Street) to consider an Application for Use Variance Approval, Height Variance Approval, Preliminary Major Site Plan Approval, Final Major Site Plan Approval, Bulk Variance Approval and Design Waiver Approval to allow for the redevelopment of the TWI campus.
The proposed redevelopment includes a new 19,800 +/- square foot campus building, an improved salt marsh trail, a new maintenance shed, relocation and replacement of an existing boathouse shed, improved on-site parking and related site improvements involving 33.30 +/- acres of both upland and marshland located in Middle Township at 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard, adjacent to the Scotch Bonnett, within a RC Rural Conservation Zoning District, and more particularly known as Block 315.01, Lot 22 on the Official Middle Township Tax Maps (the “Property”).
In connection with the proposed TWI campus redevelopment, Applicant also requests the Zoning Board’s Approval, to the extent necessary, to allow the continued use of the property located on the opposite side of Stone Harbor Boulevard for special event overflow parking, as authorized by agreement with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which is more particularly known as Block 135.02, Lot 4 on the Official Middle Township Tax Maps.
Applicant requests that the Zoning Board grant a “d.(1)” Use Variance Approval to allow for its proposed development since the TWI campus is not a permitted use in the RC Rural Conservation Zoning District.
Applicant also requests that the Zoning Board grant a “d.(6)” Height Variance Approval for the new proposed campus building with a 54.8 +/- foot height above the Base Flood Elevation 9, where the Township Code Section 250-614.D. limits building height to 35 feet above base flood elevation.
In addition, Applicant requests “c.(2)” Bulk Variance Approval to allow for:
i. The size, location and number of proposed freestanding and façade signs for the campus which exceeds the amount of signage allowed by Township Zoning Code Section 250-607 and Section 218-83;
ii. Fifty-five (55) on-site passenger vehicle parking spaces where one hundred and seven (107) parking spaces are required under Township Code Section 250-608 and Section 218-77.B;
iii. A fourteen (14) foot buffer between a parking space and the proposed campus building where a fifteen (15) foot buffer is required under Township Code Section 250-609 and Section 218-81.D.(4); and
iv. Relief from installing poured concrete curbing for separation of landscaping and parking areas as required by Township Code Section 250-637.D.
Also, Applicant requests the Zoning Board grant Design Waiver Approval and / or Bulk Variance Approval for relief from the requirements of Township Code Section 218 to allow for the proposed campus parking spaces, parking area design, driveways, and solid waste enclosure fence.
At the same time, the Applicant will also request that the Zoning Board grant any and all approvals, submission waivers, design waivers, variances, exceptions, ordinance interpretations and / or any other relief necessary to allow for the proposed development of the Property as well as the continued use of the overflow parking area on Block 135.02, Lot 4.
The public hearing has been scheduled on this matter for April 9, 2026, commencing at 6:00 p.m., at which time you may attend in person in the Courtroom of the Township of Middle Municipal Hall located at 33 Mechanic Street, Cape May Court House, New Jersey 08210 (on the corner of Mechanic Street and Boyd Street, with access provided by way of the Municipal Court entrance to the Municipal Hall on Boyd Street) to listen and watch the proceedings and, if desired, participate (either yourself or by agent or attorney) to present any objection, support or other comments you may have regarding the subject Application.
Documentation related to this Application, including all plans, reports, correspondence and supporting documentation is on file with the Office of the Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary and the Zoning Officer in the Middle Township Zoning Office located at 10 South Boyd Street, Cape May Court House, New Jersey 08210 and is available for public review and public inspection during normal Middle Township Zoning Office business hours (8:30am to 4:00pm on Monday through Friday – excluding holidays).
If you have questions regarding access to the Zoning Board’s public hearing or wish to schedule an appointment to review and inspect the Application, plans, reports, correspondence and supporting documentation, the Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary and the Zoning Officer may be contacted by email (rmshepherd@middletownship.com) or telephone (609 / 465 – 8742) during normal business hours for the Middle Township Zoning Office (8:30am to 4:00pm on Monday through Friday – excluding holidays).
CLINT B. ALLEN, ESQUIRE
ARCHER & GREINER, P.C.
1025 Laurel Oak Road
Voorhees, New Jersey 08043
Attorneys for Applicant
856-795-2121