Sparta warehouse plan advances another step with county board's vote

NEWTON — A divided Sussex County commissioners ' board approved a wastewater management plan Wednesday for the proposed Diamond Chip warehouse project in Sparta, advancing that controversial project one more step.

Wastewater management plans are required in New Jersey for major developments like the warehouse complex proposed for the Sparta Redi-Mix property at 33 Demarest Rd.

The commissioners' 3-2 decision, however, was not a vote on the project concept itself, which remains before the Sparta Planning Board .

The proposal has faced years of opposition from local residents and sparked a lawsuit between the board and developer. On Wednesday, the commissioners heard from two critics of the project during a public-comment session and then cast their votes without further explanation.

Commissioners Jill Space, Earl Schick and Chris Carney approved the plan; William Hayden and Jack Degroot voted against it.

The wastewater plan they approved calls for an on-site treatment plant capable of handling 10,000 gallons per day. Those blueprints have gone through a public hearing process , although Sparta's town council in May said it was unable to come to a decision on the plan.

More: Newton drafting new rules for e-bikes and scooters with eye on road safety, fires

That kicked the decision to the state Department of Environmental Protection, which approved the wastewater proposal. The New Jersey Highlands Council, a state panel that oversees water resources in the area, said the project conforms with the objectives of its regional master plan.

Approval by the commissioners was the final step in the process for the treatment plant.

Email: bscruton@njherald.com Twitter/X: @brucescrutonNJH

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: Sparta warehouse plan advances another step with county board's vote