Say NO to a HOTEL
at Big Bear
Say NO to a HOTEL
at Big Bear
URGENT COMMUNITY ALERT
Stop the destruction of Sourland Mountain
A critical 7 acre lot on the southwest corner
of SM will face clearcutting and massive excavation, affecting over 1,400
contiguous acres of old-growth forest, wildlife corridors and critical aquifer
reserves. We have weeks to halt development approvals and preserve our regional heritage.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Too Large for One Acre
The proposed Big Bear Gear expansion attempts to force a large-scale hospitality enterprise onto a fragile single-acre parcel never zoned for this volume of human and vehicular traffic.
OFFICIAL SITE PLAN DISCREPANCIES
17 Commercial Rooms
A large overnight lodging facility replacing historic single-family footprint.
26 Vehicle Parking
Dense impervious asphalt creating severe stormwater runoff directly into sensitive mountain aquifer zones.
17 Retail / Cafe Seats
Continuous food, drink, and retail turnstile generating constant noise and steady influx of non-resident traffic.
80+ Peak Daily Guests
An unprecedented human footprint concentrated on a narrow parcel with zero municipal water or sewer infrastructure, pushing
the limits of proposed commercial septic system.
Zoning Comparison: Standard Sourland Mountain residential zoning requires low-density single-family usage with preserved natural canopy. This proposal demands a 400% density variance on unpaved rural roadway.
1 ACRE LOT : 100% OVERCAPACITY
As seen in the view above, the beauty and simplicity of the current site's vegetation and open space would be substantially harmed by large-scale expansion. An anticipated drastic reduction in tree canopy would be coupled with a huge increase in impervious surface and concrete to create extraordinary environmental harm.
CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS
Irreversible Damage
The proposed mega-facility threatens the fragile Sourland Mountain ecosystem, local residential drinking water, and everyday community safety with unmitigated industrial disruption.
AQUIFER DEPLETION
Over 2,000 gal/day
Massive daily water extraction will siphon the vulnerable fractured-rock aquifer, directly threatening neighboring household wells with severe pressure loss and dry taps.
DELAWARE BASIN THREAT
Toxic Runoff
Stripping mature forest canopy creates uncontrolled stormwater surges, dumping heavy sediment, chemical residues, and thermal pollution straight into the Delaware River watershed.
CONSTANT NOISE POLLUTION
64dB Noise
Ten industrial cooling units operating 24/7 emit continuous acoustic noise equivalent to commercial zero-turn mowers running day and night, destroying rural peace.
TRAFFIC & ROAD HAZARD
Route 29 Gridlock
Large supply and services trucks as well as out of town hotel
guests and event traffic will choke Route 29's narrow two-lane corridor, creating severe collision hazards for daily commuters and emergency vehicles.
CRITICAL WILDFIRE HAZARD
17 MILES OF FOREST AT RISK
Commercial kitchen exhaust, open-flame cooking, and high-temperature waste in the heart of an unbroken, unhydrated 17-mile canopy threaten to trigger catastrophic woodland fires. With narrow, winding ridge roads and zero municipal water infrastructure, local volunteer fire companies face impossible containment logistics once an ember takes hold.
OUR HOME VS. THEIR PROFIT
Residents vs. Developers
Preserved open fields, ancient stone fences, and undisturbed forest: this is what we stand to lose if corporate zoning variances pass uncontested.
They Collect the Profits.
We Live With the Damage.
The developers pushing this industrial installation do not drink our well water, do not send their children down our narrow winding lanes, and will never hear the relentless hum of commercial infrastructure cutting through the quiet night air.
THE SOLUTION
Make Your Voice Heard
No business succeeds without local community support. Urge Big Bear Gear to protect Sourland Mountain's fragile ecosystem and choose a location suited for heavy industrial use.
Every signature, phone call, and email makes an immediate impact.
PHYSICAL VISIBILITY CAMPAIGN
Show Your Stance
Turn digital opposition into an unmistakable physical presence. When municipal planners and developers drive through our townships, our lawns, fences, and storefronts must broadcast unified community resistance.
- Weatherproof 18x24 yard signs with heavy-duty metal H-stakes
- High-visibility window posters for storefronts and residences
- Delivered free to your doorstep by local volunteer neighbors
Email: [email protected] with your name and address for volunteer delivery.
No Hotel at Big Bear
A grassroots coalition of Central New Jersey residents, landowners, and conservationists dedicated to protecting the fragile ecological canopy, wildlife corridors, and historic rural character of the Sourland Mountain region from destructive industrial development.