Turkey Farm Historic, 'Part of the Chester Brand,' Residents Say
Chester Borough council asked to preserve the 'historic worthiness' of the property.
Turkey Farm Acquisition, LLC presented its case for rezoning at Tuesday evening's borough council meeting.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, two members of the historical society and another resident spoke up about their opinions regarding potential rezoning of the property.
"If you go and look at our master plan currently, we did a survey back in 2002, those are the things that we want in Chester," Leader of the Green Team and President of the Historical Society Ed Ng.
"No. 1 was a high quality of life. Every town wants that; what every other town can't say is that they want to maintain their historic downtown area, because most towns don't have a historic downtown area. That was No. 2 on our list. This is part of the Chester brand. The Chester brand is high quality of life...it's got this historic feel to it.
"Whatever we do in rethinking our vision, rethinking how we might change the master plan, rezoning should play to our strengths. We should take those strengths and see how we can use them to the fullest. With regards to the retail, I thought that we were saturated and that it's a zero-sum game. In fact, that's part of capitalism. But the zero-sum game could end up with three half-empty malls, that is not going to look very historic or very high-quality-of-life.
Shade Tree Commission and Historical Society member Marla Jackson also voiced her opinion regarding the town's historical aesthetics.
"Larisons, the building itself, was built about 1800, so it's lasted a long time. There's no reason it shouldn't last a lot longer; from the historical perspective, if that building falls down it's your fault because you have the power to compel the owners to maintain it," Jackson said.
"I think we've let too many things fall down in this town when we could've saved them. Speaking on behalf of the historical society, we do not want that building to fall down. I think we need to support our downtown too. I'm with Ed, it's a zero-sum game. If they spend it at one of the malls, they're not going to spend it downtown. We really spread it out pretty far already, so I'd just like you to keep that in mind too as you reconsider the zoning," she said.
Republican nominee for the council position Liz Gugliemini agreed.
"As somebody who has worked with the historical society on a number of projects for the school I do echo what Ed and Marla have to say. There are other areas for using that property that are preserved as well...it has its historic worthiness. Consider it," she said.
The next step in the rezoning process, Mayor Robert Davis said, is the council will hold another discussion at its next meeting, scheduled for Oct. 2.
K C
10:25 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012
As a private owner they should have a right to build on the site. The building itself does not look historic anymore and has been a failing site for the last 10+ years.
As a developed site, it would bring in more customers to the town and more TAXES!!
Gene Osso
12:53 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
There has to be a better answer to this than build another commercial zone...there has to be some better compromise that could preserve the most visible historic part and aestetics while using the other parts for whatever. That property is huge. Most people dont see past the structure on the corner...save that!!!
TwinBoroMom
1:30 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Larison's was more than a restaurant. It was a landmark, and a day-trip destination for families from all over the tri-state area, as well as a restaurant that prided itself on serving a limited menu of good, stick to your ribs food. That type of restaurant could succeed again, and bring back the thousands who in the past associated Chester with the "Turkey Farm".
MT
2:58 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012
Many people move to Chester based on the feel of the town, and the Turkey Farm is the single most recognizable building in the town. People from all over northern NJ remember coming to Chester as kids and the family eating a turkey dinner together. This should be leveraged to the benefit of the town, not razed to put up another bank.
K C
8:56 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
I understand it is a landmark, but with that being said, THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DEVELOP the property or sell it. JUST LIKE WHEN YOU SELL YOUR HOUSE. It’s your right.
If everyone wants to keep it as is, they you should start collecting money to purchase it from the owners. Otherwise, move on.
TwinBoroMom
11:33 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
Don't get exited. I agree that the owners need to be able to develop the property without undue interference. It is their property. I was only saying that whoever decided in the past to undo a proven and successful model dropped the ball. The Turkey Farm was a terrific draw. The Borough benefited from its presence in that form.
MT
2:06 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
When they bought the property they knew the zoning ordinance. They understood the rules under which they were acquiring the property. Now they are trying to change the rules to enhance their exit strategy. These are not entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business and invest in the community. You're right KC - you have a right to build on your property - but there are zoning laws in place to ensure you don't build a gas station on your residential property - you knew that when you bought the property. So if you were to build or resell, you understand the rules which are in place. More retail square footage in the borough will only make a bad issue worse - we already have too much unused retail space in town. The only thing worse on that property than a strip mall would be an EMPTY strip mall....
susan owen
12:10 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
We moved to Chester because it is a charming town. Many people who heard we'd moved asked if the turkey farm is still there. Having lived in Brooklyn Heights which has benefitted hugely from its landmark regulations, I think Chester would be wise to ensure that an historic property such as this continues to enhance the community. The LAST THING we need is another CVS on the corner so that the village can look like so many cities completely lacking in culture. The owners have a moral obligation to find a suitable use for the property. Let's save the more tax base argument because whatever incremental taxes come from maximized retail use would be more than offset by the loss of residential taxpayers - destroy the charm and historic appeal and people will leave.