Your Local . i i'--; ill *?* Connection : : \-_\ •,.^" December 9, 2004 North Brunswick • South Brunswick 506 r '"'~r •---:•• - Take two: Twp. Council rezones Pulda farm again , # P, , .« Move made as precaution in light of legal challenge BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer t happened all over again. Despite a debate that lasted until midnight on Monday, the Xtravaganza I Township Council again rezoned the Pulda North Brunswick resident farm off Old Georges Road for the development of helps organize holiday show an age-restricted community. Council members voted 4-1 in favor of chang- Page 9 ing the 70-acre tract's designation from residen- tial (R-l) to planned adult community (PAC) after reintroducing an ordinance it passed with a 4-2 vote in August. Councilman Sal Paladino did not vote on the matter this week, as he left the meeting early, Councilman Robert Corbin voted against the measure again. He and former Councilman Adam Weiss were the dissenters last time. The council reintroduced the PAC ordinance after it became subject to litigation in September, when North Brunswick Residents Against High Density Housing (NBR), a grassroots organi- zation aiming to stop development on the Pulda farm, sued the council and Planning Board over it. "I urged the council to bring the matter back before the governing body because the lawsuit alleged procedural defects," Township Attorney Ron Gordon said. "In the interest of good govern- ment, if people think they didn't have the oppor- A taste of Brazil tunity to be heard, they're getting it with the New restaurant has unique reintroduction." NBR's lawsuit alleges procedural defects with dishes for meat lovers CHRIS KELLY staff North Brunswick's Faberge VanDyke, 2, shares a moment with Santa Claus during regard to how the council and board advertised Page 3 Winter Wonderland, held at the North Brunswick Municipal Complex on Dec. 6. the PAC ordinance the first time. The suit aims to negate the PAC ordinance and the rezoning of the land. If township officials cannot find a way to prevent any development on School board outlines budget the farm, NBR members want the land's zoning Quote of the'week;- to remain R-l for the development of single-fam- Those values and messages, McCartney ily homes on 20,000-square-foot lots. Officials say new state said, are transferred to students. The R-l zoning would allow for the construc- "I've traveled all over the world, Board members have to factor in pro- tion of approximately 90 homes, whereas the PAC but this fs home." cap law could be trouble viding the funding necessary to ensure ordinance allots for the development of a housing students succeed, McCartney said. — Glen Buttnik BY MELISSA CIFEI.LI community consisting of a mix of 340 units, North Brunswick SlalTWrikT "There is no one-size-fits-all," including single-family homes, townhouses and Page 9 approach to creating the budget, condominium flats for those age 55 and over. he South Brunswick Board of McCartney said. Citing continuing traffic concerns along Route Education held its first budget Both the interests of education and 130, environmental issues concerning the farm T meeting Tuesday, outlining the those of the. taxpayers, according to and its border on Farrington Lake, a potable fiscal plan and proposals for the 2005-06 McCartney, must be met. drinking source for North Brunswick and nearby school year. "We need to build a budget where municipalities, lack of open space in the town- Index Citing increased enrollment, the both parties feel they have been valued," ship, and overall aesthetics — residents and Business ...........37 need for expansion, the No Child Left McCartney said. other concerned citizens came out again this Classified/Employment .38 Behind legislation and the constraints of McCartney also said the public as week to speak out about developing the town- Crossword ......... ,28 new state school caps law S.1701, board well as the board must recognize the dif- ship's last large tract of open space. members expressed the difficulty and Entertainment .......26 ferences between "nice to have" and NBR member Ben Galioto said despite the necessity for creating a working budget "need to have" for South Brunswick stu- Milestones .>'..,,... .24 ordinance's readoption, the group plans to contin- that meets students needs while not dents. ue to challenge the rezoning in state Superior Obituaries ......... .32 overburdening taxpayers. "Budgets are about 'need to have' Court. Opinion ............10 Schools Superintendent Dr. Gary Mc- things," McCartney said. Michele Donato, NBR's attorney, said she Police Beat ,<:,.<,<,.21 Cartney said a school budget was differ- Keeping those elements as a phi- expects to file an amended complaint this month 1 Sports w ,».„... •.!,'. ,33 ent than a typical expenditure plan. The losophy, according to McCartney, the challenging the PAC ordinance's density bonuses. school budget, according to McCartney, is board can justify a budget that meets Under the provisions of the ordinance, a devel- designed to build the future, and sends a both student and taxpayer needs. oper gains additional density by contributing www.gmnews.com message about what the town values: (Continued on page 23) (Continued on page 18) 2 SENTINEL, December 9, 2004 NS 18K white gold necklace with 3.25 ct. T.W. diamonds. Compare at $3399, Sale $2499 18K white gold circle ring with .38 ct. T.W. diamonds. Imported uom 1LJ.1/S ILAIUIL ban^Ls Compare at $599, woven in 14K white or yellow gold. Sale $399 18K white gold ring wtth With .55 ct. T.W. diamonds. 1.15 ct. T.W.invisibly se t princess cut diamonds. Compare at $1199, Sale $799 14K white gold earrings with Compare at $ 1949, Sale $1299 .50 ct. T.W. diamond* With .95 ct. T.W. diamonds. Compare at $599, Sale $359 Compare at $1949, Sale $1299 Diamond stud earrings set in 14K white or yellow gold. .25. ct. T.W. Compare at $ 179, Sale $ 119 .33 ct. T.W. Compare at $ 239, Sale $ 159 .50 ct. T.W. Compare at $ 569, Sale $ 379 .75 ct. T.W. Compare at $1049, Sale $ 699 14K white gold double heart 18K white gold heart pendant on 1.00 ct. T.W. Compare at $1599, Sale $1099 pendanc on a 16" chain with .50 ct. T.W. diamonds 1.50 ct. T.W. Compare at $2999, Sale $1999 double chain with and trimmed in your choice 1.10 ct. 1.00 ct. T.W. diamonds. T.W. blue, pink or yellow sapphires. Compare at 11499, Compare at $1049, Sale $699 Sale $999 14K white gold multi-colored gemstone bracelet with 1.30 ct. T.W. diamonds. 14K white gold bracelet with Compare at $1949, Sale $1299 1.40 ct. T.W. diamonds. Compare at $1649, Sale $1199 >REENHELD JEWELERS 418 Route 18 North, East Brunswick 732.651.7979 Shop online at: greenfleldjewelers.com Mon.-Wed. 10-6; Thurs. 1.0-9; Fri. 10-6; Sat. 10-6; Sun. 12-5 NJ Turnpike Exit 9 to RL.18 South. Northbound side of Rt. 18 between W. Ferris & Milltown Rd. NS SENTINEL, December 9, 2004 3 Brazilian flavor comes to Baig9s Grill, Route 1, To complement any meal, Baig's offers custom salads and appetizers, including offers unique array of mozzarella sticks, Caribbean chicken que- options for meat lovers sadillas, blue water crab cakes and hum- mus. To complete a meal, the restaurant BY .JENNIFER KOHLHEPP has desserts such as Baig's Paradise, a Staff Writer house specialty of roasted coconut, choco- NORTH BEUNSWICK - For all-you- late and ice cream. can-eat meat served off a skewer, try the Baig's motto for his new restaurant is, township's new churrasqueria. "We don't just serve food, we sei-ve our cus- The new Brazilian-inspired restaurant, tomers " Baig's Grill, located at 776 Route 1 in the The North Brunswick resident opened Brunswick Zone center, serves flaming the grill's doors Nov. 14. Baig said he fash- barbecue meats off a sword-sized spike and ioned the Brazilian/Mediterranean restau- delectables to suit almost any palate. rant after he tried similar cuisine on "In Brazil, the style of skewer-grilled Broadway in New York City. meat is called churrasco, and a steakhouse "It was heaven for a meat lover when serving it is a churrasqueria," owner Mirza the server at the restaurant brought me all M. Baig Jr. said. "The meats are brought of this meat to eat off a skewer," Baig said. out on the table on the skewer and carved "My restaurant imitates that, but the food directly onto your plate." costs much less than $45 per serving and The grill's specialty, all-you-can-eat the meats are more flavorful." grilled meats for $18.99, comes served hot Although Baig has an engineering ca- off the restaurant's Brazilian-style grill reer, he said owning a restaurant has re- called a rodizio. mained a lifelong, dream of his. A window at the back of the restaurant's "I used to tell my parents that when I dining room looks into the kitchen where grew up I would own a restaurant," Baig lava rocks heat the slowly turning skew- said. "I got my education and two degrees, ered meats. and after I did all they wanted me to do, I "Because the meats keep rotating as knew it was time." they cook, anyone enjoying the rodizio en- Baig said his father, Mirza M. Baig Sr., tree enjoys a rotation of a vast variety of designed the restaurant The atmosphere mouth-watering, tender and perfectly mar- suits both casual and formal dining with inated flaming grilled meats," Baig said.