Ewing Township Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to oppose development of nearly 100 acres owned by The College of New Jersey in neighboring Hopewell Township, calling instead for the property to be preserved as open space.
The Oct. 27 resolution comes as TCNJ continues discussions about a potential sale of the 98.22-acre property on Bull Run Road to American Properties. The largely wooded tract was identified in Hopewell Township’s Round 4 affordable housing plan last year as a possible site for residential development.
Although the property is in Hopewell Township, it borders neighborhoods in both municipalities, where residents have organized over concerns about traffic, flooding, wetlands, wildlife and the potential impact of development on local infrastructure.
No sale has been finalized, and no formal development application or site plan has been presented to a Planning Board. Ewing’s resolution does not prevent a sale or future development, but it places the neighboring municipality’s opposition formally on the record before those decisions are made.
The resolution strongly encourages TCNJ to explore preservation alternatives with Mercer County and the state of New Jersey.
Property identified for affordable housing
The TCNJ property was included in Hopewell Township’s 2025 Round 4 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, which outlines how the township intends to meet its state-mandated affordable housing obligations through 2035.
The plan identified the property as a potential site for a larger residential development, with some units counting toward Hopewell’s affordable housing obligation. It anticipated 42 age-restricted affordable units and 15 assisted living units that would count toward that obligation.
Ewing’s resolution references discussions involving American Properties and a potential development of approximately 352 age-restricted rental units and an assisted living facility.
Those figures describe a potential development, not an approved project. The larger development would include the housing intended to help Hopewell satisfy its affordable housing requirements.
The resolution cites concerns about the environmental and infrastructure impacts of developing the property, including wetlands and streams associated with the Shabakunk Creek watershed, existing traffic conditions on Bull Run Road and Federal City Road, and the possibility of additional flooding and groundwater impacts.
Sewer service is another significant concern. The resolution states that the property lacks sewer access and that development could require either a separate treatment facility or connection to the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority system.
Ewing officials oppose extending sewer service through that system for the project, citing concerns about capacity and the potential impact on existing residents.
Council seeks alternatives to development
During the agenda session preceding Tuesday’s regular meeting, Council President David Schroth described the resolution as the result of discussions about the property’s future that have continued over the past year.
He said the township wanted to make its position clear to TCNJ and other government officials, citing concerns about flooding, traffic, public safety, wetlands and the loss of natural habitat.
Councilwoman Jennifer Keyes-Maloney said discussions with TCNJ were ongoing and that she had spoken with representatives of the college earlier in the week.
“There’s an interest in trying to come up with a solution that works for them as well as the community,” Keyes-Maloney said.
She acknowledged that the college has financial considerations of its own, while emphasizing the importance of the concerns residents have raised.
No preservation agreement has been announced, but Keyes-Maloney’s comments indicated that discussions with the college are continuing.
Earlier this year, Mercer County announced plans to purchase 56 acres from Rider University for open space preservation, an arrangement that would also provide financial support to the university. No similar proposal has been announced for the TCNJ property.
The resolution calls on TCNJ to explore preservation with Mercer County and the state. It also directs the township clerk to send copies to Gov. Mikie Sherrill, Hopewell Township officials, TCNJ President Michael Bernstein, Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, county commissioners, state environmental officials and area legislators.
Flower Hill residents organize for preservation
For residents of the Flower Hill neighborhood, the council’s vote follows more than a year of organizing and seeking answers about the property’s future.
Deborah Miliaresis, a Flower Hill Terrace resident in Hopewell Township who has been advocating for preservation since the possibility of development became public last year, thanked council members during the agenda session for taking a formal position.
“As residents of Ewing and Hopewell, we are one shared community,” Miliaresis said. “Our roads connect us, and what happens to these 90 acres of TCNJ-owned land will affect both townships.”
Miliaresis said residents have organized through the Flower Hill Civic Association to raise concerns about traffic, speeding, flooding, wetlands, wildlife and the capacity of the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority system to accommodate additional development.
She described attending meetings, contacting conservation organizations, raising environmental questions and seeking information about studies involving the property.
“Residents are doing their part, but we can’t do it alone,” Miliaresis told the council.
She said the issue extends beyond individual property owners and affects neighborhoods on both sides of the municipal boundary.
During the same session, David Galli, who grew up in Flower Hill and whose family operates Camelot School in Hopewell Township near the TCNJ property, described the tract as an important remaining natural area.
Galli spoke about the wildlife, streams and wetlands on the property and his personal connection to the land.
“This is a fantastic resolution,” he said.
Other residents described increasing traffic on nearby roads, concerns about additional development in southeastern Hopewell Township and the loss of undeveloped land.
Residents ask what happens next
During the regular council meeting, Ewing resident and Green Team member Devin Spence thanked council members for bringing the resolution forward and asked what it would accomplish.
Schroth explained that the resolution identifies the property, outlines the township’s concerns and formally opposes its development while encouraging discussions about preservation.
Spence also asked how residents could follow those discussions and whether updates would appear on future council agendas.
Schroth said the township was actively communicating with individuals involved in the matter but that those discussions would not necessarily result in regular council agenda items. Residents could contact council members for information as it becomes available.
He also indicated that, based on his understanding, a sale of the property was not imminent.
The council’s unanimous vote comes before any formal land-use application has been submitted. Because the property is in Hopewell Township, that municipality would have jurisdiction over future development applications.
Hopewell Township Mayor David Chait, asked about Ewing’s resolution, said the decision about the property’s future ultimately rests with the college.
“Ewing Township has the right to express its views to The College of New Jersey. Ultimately that land belongs to TCNJ, and what they do with it is their decision,” Chait said.
Although TCNJ controls whether to sell the property, any future development application would be subject to Hopewell Township’s land-use review. Ewing’s resolution establishes the neighboring municipality’s position as discussions about the property’s future continue.
