Horse Rescue Facility Approved by Zoning Board

The South Brunswick zoning board voted unanimously last night to approve a use variance that will allow Resident Mary Derwin will now launch an equine rescue facility on a 7.89 acre lot at her Gould Road residence after the board approved the plan. She said the operation should be ready to go by the Spring of 2012.

"I'm thrilled beyond words," she said. "There's no rush to get started, we need to take it slow. I want this to be a non-profit and apply for grants. I'd like to see it start tomorrow, but I'm hoping to have it started by the Spring."

As a condition of approval, the board stipulated that Derwin must construct a fence around the property to make sure the horses can't wander off, she can't at any point turn the facility into a commercial business, all horse activities, such as walking or riding must be done on her property, and the health department must approve of the method employed for disposal of manure.

Derwin willingly accepted the board's conditions, saying turning the facility into a commercial business was never her intent.

"I'm trying to save horses that are unwanted," she said. "There are two reasons horses get abandoned. One is that people can no longer afford them. The other is from horses in the racing industry who are no longer raceable. They get put out to pasture and if they can't find a home, and no one wants them, they get put down.

"I went to an auction and there were so many horses that were ill and skinny, they weren't being taken care of and I knew where they were going. They don't use them for glue anymore, they use them for dog food. I want to bring them back to health and get them better."

Derwin said she hopes once the horses are healthy again, they could be adopted and find a permanent home, but if not would live out their lives peacefully at the Derwin Rescue Ranch.

Thomas Luchento, President of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey, sent a letter in support of Derwin's plan.

"I would hope that your board would consider her application so that these beautiful animals will have a place to retire until such time that they are adopted and given a home they deserve," the letter read. "Without these horses, much of our Green Acres and open space programs in NJ would fall by the wayside."

Derwin's property is an estimated 500 yards from her closest neighbors, in an isolated portion of Monmouth Junction. The propety has a line of trees that provide a buffer from the surrounding area. 

Plans call for a 36x48 foot barn to be installed, as well as a 20x30 foot maintenance building. The board couldn't find any negative impact from drainage or any negative impact from the plan on Derwin's neighbors.

Another condition of the zoning board for approval was putting a cap on the number of horses allowed at 10, for legal purposes should Derwin sell her property to another tenant who could potentially put in a larger number of horses.

"From a legal standpoint it would be irresponsibile not to put a cap on the number of horses," said zoning board attorney Patrick Foley.

Concerns were raised by a neighbor about the potential for the horses to wander off onto other people's property and about the barn being a fire hazard, because the property would be difficult to reach for fire personnel due to the rural road it sits on. There were also concerns raised about an adequate water supply, as Derwin uses well water.

The fire marshall told the board he had no comment, but told the township planning office that a fire truck would be able to get to the property. 

Zoning board members praised Derwin's willingness to provide a haven for sick and dying horses to allow them to live out a full life.

"I think that I'm giving back to society by serving on this board," said board President Martin Hammer. "But this applicant has me beat."

Derwin said she plans on hiring help to assist with the care of the horses, and will also reach out to volunteers willing to give their time to help care for the horses.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating money to the Derwin Rescue Ranch should email derwinrescueranch@yahoo.com.