This history of the neighborhood plays a vital part in the identity of its residents. If you have lived in the neighborhood for many years, the neighborhood history is a heartfelt reminder of days gone by. If you have just come to call the neighborhood home, it is a way to learn more about the new community you have joined. We would love nothing more than to be able to share the history of neighborhood name with all who reside there. If you are interested in writing a brief history of the neighborhood to share with the community, please contact us! The following was taken from 'The History of Panther Valley' by Jo Librizzi, March 1997. |
- The Early YearsPanther Valley, a 1,567 acre planned community, started in 1960, you might say, when members of the firm of Frank H. Taylor & Son of East Orange visited Crofton, Maryland, a small town located between Washington DC and Baltimore, Maryland, where they conceived of the idea to build a self-contained community.
So began a long and arduous tour around the country visiting 'new towns,' studying their architecture and design, ascertaining the likes and dislikes of owners and residents, gathering information to make the dream of creating a Planned Unit Development realized. This was a new concept in real estate development, a large-scale, comprehensively-planned development with mixed land uses and common open space, containing a balanced schedule for delivering various housing types. The mixed land uses would include commercial, office and light industrial as well as residential and recreational areas. Philip J. Bowers II, Executive Vice President of the firm, was given the responsibility of making the project plan a realtiy.
Frank H. Taylor & Son, long active in the one-family construction field, was exposed to the change taking place with respect to planning and requirements set forth by planning boards and other regulatory authorities. They were convinced that the day of the small indiviual builder was gone and that the approach to supplying housing in the future would, of necessity, require vast funds and great sources of knowledge with little or no personal risk. It was determined at that time to seek strong monied interests to augment their know-how as to building and market conditions.
Eventually, Frank H. Taylor & Son, Travelers Insurance Co. of Hartford, Connecticut, and Broadcast Plaza, Inc., a subsidiary of Travelers, formed a partnership that became Panther Valley, Inc., for the purpose of building a 'new community.' An agreeement was drawn giving Taylor a 48% interest and Travelers a 52% interest in the project. Taylor would supply the building work force, design, and management and Travelers, the financial support, while Philip Bowers was named President of the new corporation.
Now that it was decided to build a town, what should one look for? It wa decided a minimum of 1,000 acres would be required with the major portion of land acquisition to be in one ownership; all in one town; additional lands should be available; accessible and plentiful water; interesting terrain; well treed; a good school system; near a major highway; near a metropolitan area and in an area that would be receptive to a planned-town concept.
The Taylor group narrowed the list to Middletown, the Schley estate in Far Hills, and the Clendenin James Ryan Estate in Allamuchy.
The Ryan Estate appealed not the eye alone but to all the senses, commencing with the lush green belt that rolls skyward from valley to mountain peak; also the collective beauty of the brooks and ponds contributed to the decision to purchase this tract. The Ryan property was particularly appealing to the developers as it was zoned mostly as farmland assessment.
In July of 1965, Travelers Insurance Co. and Frank H. Taylor & Son bought the former Clendenin James Ryan Estate, which is situated in the Township of Allamuchy in Warren County, New Jersey. Interestingly, Warren County was named in the early 19th century after Revolutionary war patriot, John Warren, who died in the battle of Bunker Hill. Warren County was settled in 1650 by Dutch settlers who were attracted to the copper and chalocite ores in the mountains. The earliest economic development focused on the mining and processing of iron deposits.
Clendenin J. Ryan had purchased the Panther Ledge Estate on May 6, 1946, from William H. Sanford, Mary C. Sanford, Clifford W. Sanford and Ona N. Sanford, which consisted of five tracts of land and premises. Ryan enlarged the house; creating a deer park for Japanese black deer; built a green house and swimming pool along with other improvements to the property. He specialized in the raising of Angus cattle. It is reported that Ryan had a collection of live alligators which he kept in the basement; late a night he would feed them live chickens. Clendenin James Ryan, grandson of the fabled financier, Thomas Fortune Ryan, commited suicide in 1957. A stained glass Rose Window is dedicated to Clendenin J. Ryan at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. The window is located high above the bronze doors in the Fifth Avenue wall of the Cathedral.
In August of 1959 the Ryan heirs sold 1,200 acres of land known as Panther Valley Ledge Farm, including a fifteen-room manor house with an imported 600 year old French stained-glass window and its own zoo, to Robert Conahay III, an advertising executive, and his wife, Gloria, for the sum of $225,000. He, in turn, sold the land to Frank H. Taylor & Son for $400 and acre in July of 1965. As part of the purchase agreement, Taylor was required to donate a fire engine to the Township.
Additional land was aquired over the next year, bringing the total area to approximately 1,557 acres. Through the years another ten acres were purchased, making Panther Valley a 1,567 acre community. Then on December 9, 1966, Frank H. Taylor & Son conveyed title to Panther Valley, Inc.
The acquisition included a large stone and frame dwelling, recreation lodge with guest rooms, swimming pool with cabanas, caretakers' buildings, greenhouses and garages, all enclosed within a chain link fence.
According to the sale agreement, the developer could not use the name 'Panther Lodge' or 'Stagmont.' Instead, the developer called the proposed community 'Panther Valley.' Panther Ledge is an old local name dating to the days when panthers inhabited the area, and in 1805 Warren County marked the final passing of the panther on a ledge in what is now known as Panther Valley.
The project was a $65 million gamble, backed by the architecture of Royal Barry Wills of Boston, Delnoce Whitney Goubert of New York, and Walter C. Pfeiffer of Morristown.
Hayden & Benning of Washington D.C., was hired as the initial planning firm to work with Aurnhamner Associates of Summit, N.J., the local land-planning company.
In addition, geologists were brought in to make a complete analysis of the lands, as were marketing experts, such as Carl Norcross, Inc. Other concerns gave advice, such as Zion Breen, landscape architects; Sasaki, Dawson & DeMay of Watertown, Mass., land planners; Robert Trent Jones, golf course architect; engineers for water and sewer analysis; wildlife and conservation authorities.
The purchased land was naturally beautiful, and to preserve this 'enclave of serenity,' the developers set aside 400 acres for open space to create a landscape packed with fruiting shrubs, free from poison and pollutants, to serve as a bird sanctuary, Philip Barske, a land-managment and wildlife consultant, was brought in to insitute proper procedures for maintaining good ecological balance.
The original plan for Panther Valley projected 1,000 rental apartments and 950 homes on 3/4 acre plots clustered around large open areas. The homes and apartments were planned on a ridge with an 18-hole golf course forming a park setting through the east-west axis of the valley. Also in the valley was to be an informal bar abd clubhouse (Temperance Hall), formerly a massive old barn, the silo of which became a carpeted circular staircase. The former home of Clendenin Ryan became a formal clubhouse with dining rooms. An electronic carillon similar to the chimes at the famous Bocke Singing Towers in Lake Wales, Florida, was situated next to the community TV antenna, which was originally installed by Maase Row Co. of Los Angeles, California, at a ost of $16,000 - at that time music rolls cost $100 each. The music sounds now heard throughout the valley from an updated, modern, compact disc player, located in the PVPOA office. The plan also included a ski run, bridle and walking paths, a 359 seat mini-theatre, two swimming pools, a teenage center, all-weather tennis courts, and the possibility of getting Erie-Lackawanna to reopen the Hackettstown line for commuters. In 1994 the rail service was reopened.
In front of Panther Valley, on Route 517, were to be offices, stores, a bank, gas station, conference center, and the Panther Valley Inn, a rambling structure and overnight stopping place. The shopping mall was to be suggestive of a quaint New England town with brick walkways, tree-lined with natural gas lanterns. This area was once known as Weirtown (Wiretown) or Warrenville, situated between Allamuchy and Hackettstown. Most of the architecture was to be neo-colonial, with some contemporary homes and apartments.
The apartments are situated on 30 acres of land, designed by three different architects, in three different styles - thus the address system was developed for the area. The 'P' section was designed by Walter C. Pfeiffer in a colonial style, 'W' was designed by Royal Barry Wills in a New England style, while 'G' was designed by Delnoce Whitney Goubert in a contemporary style. Originally, it was planned that the various sections be named after a tree; however, the Post Office did not approve of this method. It was then agreed to use the P-W-G designations. However, in 1996 the 911 system was introduced in the area. With the introduction of the 911 system to the area, the addresses had to be changed to a more conventional method.
Subsequently, it was noted that there was a demand for townhouses, which meant a new paln was devised, permitting a mix of not more than 50% apartments with the balance divided between detached and attached one-family dwellings and townhouses.
It was planned that Panther Valley Inc., would retain ownership of the rental apartments; the utility company to operate sewage and water facilities; the golf club; and the small shopping and industrial areas. The one family houses wre designed by architects commissioned by the partnership and sold to individuals by Panther Valley Inc., most of the designs being traditional New England colonial. Model homes were erected in 1967 on Cedar Waxwing. The apartments were styled to resemble rows of colonial homes, some with wood burnibg fireplaces, cedar shakes and millwork around entry ways. Also, under construction were contemporary styled apartments, with massive use of natural finish wood. Some lots were sold to individuals who would design and contract to build their own single family detached houses. All designs were subject to approval by the Architectural Control Committee. Also, any future changes to the exterior structure of any unit was to be approved by this committee. - Development of the CommunityThe little town of Allamuchy (population 1,500), a sleepy hamlet in the middle of rolling farmland, was changed forever with the arrival of Panther Valley. The name Allamuchy is derived from the Indian name of a village first known as Allamuchahokkingen, meaning 'a place in the hills,' later shortened to Allamucha and now known as Allamuchy. In 1715 Allamuchy was a Lenni-Lenape Indian village. The first European settlers were Quakers, who arrived from nearby Hunterdon County in 1745, bringing with them the beams that would support their houses, which were completed with local stone. During the Civil War, the Township served as a station for the Underground Railroad for slaves on their way to Canada and freedom.
Allamuchy achieved fame during the Franklin Delano Roosevelt presidency. En route to Hyde Park, President Roosevelt would occasionally have his train rerouted from his tradional B & O route to the PA-Lehigh route, which allowed him to stop at Allamuchy. Here Roosevelt would visit Lucy Rutherford at her home with it's mountain lake, deer park and thousands of acres of land.
In 1967 Panther Valley Inc., broke ground for its planned community. Construction of roads, which were carefully designed and laid out to take slopes, elevation and saveable trees into consideration, was started within the valley. This was followed by the erection of one family homed, apartments, an inn, shopping mall, and by the rehabilitation of the old homestead for clubhouse use. Near the main entrance to Panther Valley, a fieldstone guard house was erected to control ingress.
A water supply and total energy system supplying the rental units and commercial buildings would make the settlement independent of local government for essential ulitlies. In this connection, a total energy plant was purchased by Panther Valley, Inc., in October of 1972. The plant was to be converted to purchase power through Jersey Central Power & light Co. The water system included the well and main distribution lines to the developed areas and a 500,000 gallon above ground storage tank. To further preserve the beauty of Panther Valley, all utilities were installed underground.
Streets were named after birds indigenous to the area and were marked by original paintings, the work of artist Stan Sparre of Hingham, Massachusetts. The signs (at $45 each) had a picture of the type bird - Cardinal, Bald Eagle, etc. With the opening of Village VIII, Mountain-
side, streets were named for mountains - Rainier Court, Rushmore, etc., reflecting the natural attractions of the area.
Approximately $186,000 was spent for the staunchions that held the colonial styled gas lamps. Atop each lamp was a metal casting statuette of a panther.
To transform the tract of farm and woodland into a scenic residential site, Hackettsown Nurseries, Inc., was awarded a $144,000 contract to plant ivy, honeysuckle, dogwood, pine trees and mountain laurel. In all, the contract called for about 10,000 shrubs and 17 trees, 25 to 30 feet in height, to be planted.
The management was interested in making the Valley a unique community with many amenities, such as a special collection of Boehm porcelain birds on display in the Administration Building. A scenic overlook, the entrance of which is located on Mallard and Nuthatch, offering a magnificent view of the entire area, was opened to residents in 1988.
The developers were civic minded, and to upgrade the Allamuchy Township School, Panther Valley Inc., contributed in 1968 and 'all purpose' room, which serves as an auditorium and gymnasium; proper toilet and shower facilities for students; a library; principal's office; a new septic system; and overhaul of the heating plant at a cost of approximately $300,000. In appreciation, the addition has been designated as the Harry A. Taylor wing.
In October of 1968 a 90' long, 26 1/2' wide, and 34' high 90 year old barn was moved a mile and a half from a hollow on the Ryan Estate to its new location above the main clubhouse and enlarged from 4,000 s.f. to almost 6,000 s.f. - it is now known as Allamuchy lodge.
The interior of the lodge was designed by Walter Pfeiffer of Morristown in an authentic Indian decor. The upper floor of the lodge was a community center for use of all residents at no charge for private affairs adn was open to the public for dining on weekends.
Allamuchy Lodge was opened in July of 1970, and to christen the new lodge, a 'Pow-Wow' dinner dance was held. The guests were dressed in Indian and early American costumes. 'Firewater cocktails' were served followed by a 'heap good' buffet, while the 'Sons of the Whiskey Rebellion' provided the music for the 'peace dance.'
In 1968 the Panther Valley Property Advisory Committee was formed, with Philip Bowers heading the committee. The committee was comprised of residents and a representative of the developer. This committee was the forerunner of Panther Valley Property Owners' Association, which was established in 1976, when the first assessments were levied. Panther Valley Property Owners' Association, a not for profit New Jersey corporation, maintains community and common properties and facilities owned by various community associations within the community. This includes common streets, security and amenities. The community is self managed by residents, serving on various committees. The Board of Trustees elected to employ a Maintenance Manager and a General Manager. In 1991, Tony Reed became the community's first General Manager, followed by Grady Cook and Jan Paul Bollmann, the current General Manager. Previously the personnel worked under the direction of the developer; now it is the Board of Trustees which oversees their work.
Panther Valley Inc., was a prime force in both money and time in getting a hospital built in Hackettstown, as an easily accessible hospital would surely boost sales in the Valley.
By 1969 Route 80 was finished only as far as Netcong. Motorists had to detour 25 miles through Hackettstown to back on Route 80. Fortunately, in 1972 route 80 was completed, and sales in the community flourished. - Developers ChangePanther Valley Inc., was always seeking new ways to improve and enlarge the community. So, when the Robert Conahay house, located on the hill, became available, Jim McKinsey of Summit and Harry Taylor, Jr., envisioned using the property as an executive training center. The multi milllion dollar education center was to include a theatre, motel, educational offices and computer training center, as well as another golf course, tennis courts and swimming compound. Although the project was announced in 1969, in never came to fruition. For a number of years it was a Conference Center for Beneficial Finance executives. It is now privately owned.
In late 1969 the Panther Valley Ecumenical Ministry was created to meet the spiritual needs of residents moving into Panther Valley. The church, located on Route 517, is composed of four denominations: Episcopal, United Methodist, Presbyterian USA, and United Church of Christ. It was officially incorporated in May of 1975. The developer financially sustained the church for several years, as well as providing the impetus for the ecumenical church. Rev. Dr. William H. McGregor, a native of Yonkers, New York, had an impressive background. He had graduated from Hanover College in Indiana, Princeton Theological Seminary, and McCormick Theological Seminary - a perfect choice for this new concept. While the church was under construction, worship services were held at the Conference Center located in teh Panther Valley Mall and then in the Sevent-Day Adventist Church on Route 517. Construction was completed in 1979, and this new, experimental church opened its doors to its members.
Late in 1970, the Ladies' Home Journal sponsored a house in Panther Valley designed by York & Schenke. The design was unique since it featured a new concept - a coordination of kitchen and family room. It took over four years to create, but the result was a triumph for both Panther Valley and the Ladies' Home Journal. To properly design the kitchen, Ladies' Home Journal held round table discussions, co-sponsored by the builders, utility companies, and approximately 300 women in order to gather ideas for improvements to kitchens.
The kitchen was carefully designed to take advantage of all the advances in appliances. It contained ample storage; but mose of all it was to be a kitchen which would be an important center of family activity and routine. The family room and kitchen all flowed together in one expansive family area. The house, located at 72 Bald Eagle, was on view for a limited time, attracting hundreds of interested people to the Valley.
As Panther Valley grew, more personnel were needed to maintain the development. In April, 1972, Warren Reed was appointed Director of Building Maintenance Department. He was responsible for maintenance and repair of all company owned buildings in the Valley. Also at this time it was felt that a newsletter would be beneficial to the residents; thus, the first issue of 'View of the Valley' was published by Panther Valley Inc.
May of 1972 saw the completionof a 20' x 40' heated pool for the Panther Valley Inn. Also, an electric security gate was installed and reflective bumper stickers were issued.
During the course of the Travelers/Taylor partnership, changes were made in the financial agreement between the two companies. A management contract was given to Taylor in exchange for Taylor's shares. This contract carried a two year expiration date. At the end of the two year period (October 1972), the contract was not renewed, much to the dismay of Frank H. Taylor & Son, Inc., Travelers Insurance Company, as Panther Valley,Inc., assumed responsibility for managment and development of the Valley.
Now that Taylor is no longer involved in the project, a search was under way for a nationally reputable firm with full capability of carrying forth the planned community. Travelers had observed the work done by Mathews-Philips, Inc., in a planned unit development located in Farmington, Connecticut, where Mathews-Philips had successfully corrected the problems of the PUD. It had a background of real estate development, including the planning, engineering, financing, construction and management of planned residential communities throughout the United States. Thus, in April, 1973, Travelers retained Mathews-Philips, Inc., a Pittsburgh based real estate development company, to assume complete responsibility for the management and development of Panther Valley. To properly oversee its operation, Washburne D. Wright of Mathews-Philips, Inc., assumed complete operating responsibilities of Panther Valley in February, 1975.
In 1984 Mathews-Philips, Inc., formed a new company, MPW Communities of New Jersey, which started to make big changes in the development. Since Washburne Wright was the third owner in the management company, it was decided to incorporate the initial 'W' in the new name. Instead of managing the affairs of Travelers, MPW started buying land from Panther Valley, Inc., and building houses in the name of MPW Communities of New Jersey. By 1984 MPW had purchased all the raw land that was left in Panther Valley. Thus, MPW Communities of New Jersey became the developer of Panther Valley.
After many years of service, Philip Bowers retired in 1973 as President of Panther Valley, Inc. However, he remained with Travelers Insurance Co. as a consultant until 1980.
During the period 1972-1975, the zoning ordinance was amended, and a new master plan was approved by the town. The new management of the Valley realized that they would have to provide townhouses and condominiums along with the single family houses and apartments in order to attract a wide range of buyers. They launched a big ad campaign for the townhouse concept, naming it 'The Renaissance of Panther Valley.' The number of dwelling units to be built in Panther Valley was established at 2,978 units. This plan was again amended in 1983, reducing the number of units to 2,600.
Within Panther Valley we can find historical monuments, such as a child's gravesite dating from the early 1800's. The developer devoted much time to locate and recreate the gravesite. A headstone, shaped in the fashion of that time with the original inscription inscribed, was placed on a small hillside in Village IV, surrounded by a stone wall. And the entrance to Panther Valley Golf & Country Club still has the two original stone columns and supporting walls bearing bearing the name 'Panther Ledge Farm.'
September of 1975 saw the opening of village III (Audubon Woods), consisting of townhouses and detached single family houses. These luxury townhomes were priced at $56,900 to 69,500. The single family houses were priced at $78,500 to $86,900. Lake Eagle Rock was completed and model homes were build along the lake. In September of 1975 new model townhouses were opened at Lake Eagle Rock. To launch the sales campaign for these units, a display of fireworks was set up where Red Tail Hawk is presently situated, and the fireworks were ignited over the lake, creating a dazzling arc of lights. By this time, all the apartments were completed - 159; there were 75 single family houses scattered throughout the Valley. Panther Valley was definitely offering a new image.
In January of 1976 community spirit was very much in evidence as the residents of Panther Valley helped with the renovation of an old barn known as the Olenick barn on Alphano Road, which Panther Valley Inc., donated to the township. This barn is now the existing Town Hall. When money for this $100,000 project began to run low, volunteers pitched in to insulate and panel the 52' x 36' meeting room. A municipal court was established in 1979 with Joseph G. Houston being the first presiding judge.
Also, Panther Valley Inc., donated a 26 acre site for a middle school across from the Town Hall on Alphano Road.
Changes began taking place in the management of Panther Valley - Village II apartments were sold to Allamuchy Associates, Inc., a partnership between Marshall Weinermann and Irving Gelber, by Panther Valley, Inc. In turn Allamuchy Associates, Inc., sold the apartments in 1986 to First Atlantic Savings of South Plainfield, with the right to build 27 additional units, which right expired three years after purchase. The lots on which these units were to be erected are owned by the Crest Association, and it is part of the common property.
The year 1977 brought a new look to Panther Valley. Village IV and Countryview opened in April, and in December the Westgate townhouses were opened.
On May 6, 1977, Panther Valley Inc., sold the country club to the members. Funds for the purchase were obtained from the sale of memberships - 300 Proprietary Memberships were offered for the sum of $3,000 each. In addition, swimming tennis and week day golf memberships were offered on a nonproprietary basis.
In May the first Panther Valley Directory was printed, and the first recreation area opened featuring two tennis courts, a platform tennis court, and a swimming pool. The facility was open to all Panther Valley resident families at a fee of $175 per family. - Panther Valley To DateIn 1980 the Municpal Garage was constructed on Alphano Road near the muck land. Since the lot was somewhat irregular and in order to permit better utilization of the site, a small piece of land was generously donated to the town by Panther Valley, Inc., for this purpose.
In 1982 Panther Valley, Inc., sold the shopping center to a New York partnership - Parnval Partners, MPW Communities of New Jersey, along with other investors, bought the Inn and some of the remaining undeveloped lands. This meant that single family detached houses to be erected would be designed and built by lot owners with the approval of the Architectural Control Committee.
In 1986 Panther Valley Inn opened its new addition, and in 1987 Village VIII (Mountainside) was beginning to be developed, which would consist of 519 units. Of this, there would be 44 single family home lots and 475 townhouses.
The developer enjoyed a good relationship with the towns people. They worked together to help solve any problems that might arise, as was the case when a group of people and the developer got together to form a volunteer fire department in response to numerous requests for better fire protection. Since available monies were limited, the equipment which was obtained was old but in working order; and since there was no fire house, the equipment was stored in the town garage. Then in 1986, MPW Communities of New Jersey donated land to the Township for construction of a new Fire House.
The community was growing rapidly. Needs were changing - more office space was required. So, MPW donated the present PVPOA building located on Bald Eagle near the rear gate. And in November of 1986 the building was officially open for operation. In addition to office space, the building has a recreation room for the use of residents.
A major change in the operation of the community took place on November 5, 1987, when a condo conversion offering plan was approved for the exisitng apartments. This area ia now known as The Crest at Panther Valley, Condominium Association, Inc. It is comprised of 159 residential units, 27 three story buildings and 32 garage spaces in eight buildings. The Crest Association was established because of a conversion and public offerings by First Atlantic Savings. The Crest is the only section in Panther Valley that is self managed. However, townwide, it is part of the PVPOA. It is managed by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of five condominium owners, each serving a two year term.
In January, 1988, the first resident moved into the Village of Stone Ridge. These cluster houses were designed to be flexible enough to be constructed on severe grades and to be built both in a downhill configuration as well as uphill. The landscaping had to take into consideration existing rock outcropping, and the site itself required an extensive amount of blasting for utilities, etc.
Then, in December of 1988, the first resident moved into the Village of Mountainside. Mountainside is a mixture of both uphill and downhill townhouses and single family detached lots. The purpose of using uphill and downhill townhouses was to double load the drives, thereby limiting the amount of paving and utility lines needed. The Village of Mountainside has a dentention basin in the lower part of the village, and as you get closer to Route 80 the land begins to flatten out.
Travelers Insurance Company was gradually but surely divesting itself from Panther Valley, and in 1989 the sewer company, water company and TV cable company were sold to MPW Communities of New Jersey.
Disaster struck Panther Valley - Temperance Hall burned to the ground in December, 1989. This was a great loss to the community as Temperance Hall was steeped in history. This building was Ryan's entertainment hall complete with bar. He stored his antique fire engine below. When the community first aquired the property, Temperance Hall was used as a Men's Grill, an informal clubhouse, and then as the main clubhouse when the mansion was closed because of much needed repairs. The replace the clubhouse the Panther Valley Golf & Country Club started construction of a new clubhouse in the fall of 1990, using the Clendenin J. Ryan mansion as the central focal point of the new club with a new wing flanking each end. The new club building was formally opened on June 29, 1991, with a large party for all the members.
For the convenience of residents, a new communications device was installed in December, 1991 - the Panther Valley Bulletin Board. It is located just past the gatehouse on the left hand side. Notices of meetings and events for the community are posted.
In its continuing efforts to update and to provide the latest technology in the Valley, the PVPOA in April of 1992 installed the 'Lazer Data AVI System,' a gate access system for the use of the residents. The system uses a low power laser light source to scan and read a bar code on the side of a vehicle. The system provides better control of all authorized vehicles, thus making security more efficient.
Panther Valley was being successfully operated on the original covenants for 25 years. But the time had come to update these documents. A committee was formed, Committee to Review & Update Documents (CRUD), to study the documents and recommend revisions. On November 10, 1992, residents of Panther Valley approved the revised Declaration of Covenants & Restrictions & By-Laws, which replaced the original documents initiated by the developer.
Many of the changes affecting Panther Valley wre brough about by outside forces, such as the Kelly Bill, which was enacted by the State of New Jersey in early 1993. This bill requires local municipalities to provide residents of condominium associations, property owner's associations and other qualified communities within the municipality's boundaries with the same level of specified services (e.g. snow removal, road maintenance, etc.) as are provided to other residents of the municipality. Should the muncipality choose not to provide the services in question, it is required to reimburse the qualified community for the cost of providing them.
The PVPOA Board of Trustees notified the township that it was requesting provision of the required services, or alternatively, compensation for the services. On January 17, 1995, the Allamuchy Town Council passed the Kelly Bill (Municipal Services Act). It provides for the funding of snow and ice removal from streets and roads, street lighting and other services within the Valley.
Panther Valley Services (cable company) was beginning to find it very difficult to administer proper cable services to the community, especially since the FCC was re-regulating the cable industry. In view of this, Panther Valley Services and U.S. Cable of Allamuchy entered into an agreement, effective on December 31, 1993, for U.S. Cable of Allamuchy to provide cable service to Panther Valley.
Homeowners in Panther Valley realized that they were paying excessive charges for water consumption and sewer usage. In an effort to bring the charges in line with average costs throughout the state, the homeowners appealed to Allamuchy Township to review the situation. The Mayor and Council appointed a committee composed of residents and a council member to review various financial scenarios and to seek a friendly purchase by Allamuchy Township of the Pequest Water Company and the Pequest Sewer Company. The committee worked with outside counsel and financial experts in the field of water and sewer utilities. Its work was rewarded - the Allamuchy Township Council on August 5, 1994, authorized the signing of contracts with Pequest Water Company and Pequest Sewer Company in which the Township agreed to purchase all assets of the Pequest Water Company and Pequest Sewer Company. The cost to the Township was $4,000,000. Financing of the purchase price was through the Department of Enviromental Protection and the New Jersey Waste Management Trust. The closing of title and transfer of assets occured on November 10, 1994.
The community has grown in the last thirty years - along with a high incidence of traffic violations within the Valley. In the interest of public safety, the Association purchased in September of 1994 a radar speed gun system. Offenders were to be subjected to fines for speeding. However, the practice stopped in August, 1995, by a court order, and a civil suit was filed by Warren County Prosecutor, John O'Reilly. Then on November 18, 1996, Superior Court Judge Harry Seybolt ruled that PVPOA cannot use its radar-camera signs. PVPOA has decided to appeal the Superior Court's ruling.
Early 1995 brought yet another change to the Valley - ANJ Properties, LLC, a limited partnership, puchased all the undeveloped land in Village IV, Single Family Cluster; all of the remaing properties of Village V and XI; and a portion of Village VI. In connection with this, Matrix Development Group has been awarded the contract to manage this acquisition.
The planning board of Allamuchy has approved the developer's plan o build 128 new single family houses with 117 acres of open space and water retention ponds for surface runoff. This area will be designated as 'Village at Bowers Glen.'
Panther Valley currently is comprised of 1,300 units, consisting of single family homes, townhouses, and condominiums. The development of Panther Valley was phased into small areas called Villages. There are nine Villages, plus the Crest (a condo development situated off Mallard Drive). Approximately 20 miles of paved streets and roadways are currently maintained by PVPOA.
What comes next? Panther Valley is constantly making changes, which we all hope are for the betterment of the community.
Panther Valley is a place overflowing with harmony and tranquility. Sparrows and goldfinches merrily sing atop their lofty forest perch. Deer, pheasants and an occasional bear wander undaunted among groves and thickets. Children play in wide open fields. And adults dare to live out their dreams. This is Panther Valley... and it is a world apart (both in concept and execution) from conventional standards in residential living. May all residents of Panther Valley be proud of their community which was developed with meticulous care; may they enjoy it and may they help to preserve this 'enclave of serenity.' -
Panther Valley ArchitectureApartments designed by Delnoce Whitney Goubert, Architect -
Panther Valley ArchitectureApartments designed by Royal Barry Wills, Architect -
Panther Valley ArchitectureApartments designed by Walter C. Pfeiffer, Architect -
Panther Valley ArchitectureLadies Home Journal House -
Panther Valley ArchitectureHouse designed by Walter C. Pfeiffer, Architect -
Panther Valley ArchitectureHouse designed by Delnoce Whitney Goubert, Architect -
Panther Valley ArchitectureHouse designed by Royal Barry Wills, Architect
