Hundreds of Atlantic Highlands residents packed a public meeting Wednesday night to express their thoughts on plans to build housing along the town’s waterfront.

Developer Steve Denholtz says that he plans to build 21 homes on a 7-acre piece of land along the shores of the Sandy Hook Bay in Atlantic Highlands. But that plan is being met with some pushback from the community.

“The public would really like to see this land preserved and not have 21 homes here just for the wealthy to enjoy this beautiful spot,” said Benson Chiles, who opposes the plan. 

Denholtz said that he is confused by the opposition to the plan.

“It’s a little unexpected since we are think we are doing what they want to provide access to the public and beautification to the shoreline where they don't have it,” he said.

Denholtz said that the project would add at least $500,000 in annual tax revenue to the town.

The meeting had to be rescheduled from last month after too many people showed up and it was deemed unsafe. Wednesday’s meeting was held at Atlantic Highlands Elementary School to accommodate the crowd.

The meeting started at 7:30 p.m. People who attended the meeting were still participating in the public comment portion over three hours after the meeting began.