Politics & Government

Residents Air Grievances about Possible Car Dealerships on Rt. 9

Not one person who spoke at the formal public hearing was in favor of an amendment to the Master Plan which would allow car dealerships on Rt. 9.

The Manalapan Township Planning Board was packed with disgruntled residents on Thursday night to voice their discontent about a potential Audi dealership that was at the Rt. 9 North and Taylor Mills Road intersection.

The formal public hearing on and possible adoption of the township’s “Master Plan Amendment to the Land Use Plan Element - OP-3 Zone to Permit Automobile Sales Agencies” and the possible adoption of the Reexamination Report, which recommends this change, was the reason the courtroom of the was full. The planning board last reexamined the Master Plan in July 2009.

The Master Plan is a policy document and not a legislative one; it merely identifies recommended land uses for various areas of the township. Those recommendations are implemented by the governing body through the zoning board.

Richard Cramer, the Manalapan Township Planner, explained that the Reexamination Report reviews the changes in state law and county plans, and  suggests amendments in light of the economic downturn. Fourteen recommendations were proposed in the report that would change the Master Plan and the zoning regulations within the township.

The specific recommendation that was the topic of contention at the board meeting was to allow car dealerships within the OP-3 Zone, which is predominately zoned for office buildings, and what the Reexamination report advises.

“The general recommendation in the Reexaminiaton Report is that the township review the Master Plan in order to expand the opportunities for the commercial growth and development of the township’s economic base to provide employment opportunities and beneficial ratables for the township,” Cramer said.

The Reexaminiation Report specifically endorses automobiles sales as a means to bring economic expansion to the area and pinpoints the OP-3 zone as the appropriate area.

Residents of the neighborhoods that abut the roughly 84-acre OP-3 Zone verbalized their dissent and implored the board not to adopt these changes.

Tom Madden, a resident of the Monmouth Heights development, spearheaded the movement against the proposed dealership and informed neighbors. Madden started a Web site entitled Stop07726Dealership and started a petition against dealerships in this area, which received over 186 signatures.

Madden explained that a car dealership would be a detriment to nearby property values, and that it would not be beneficial to the town as a whole. “We don’t need yet another car dealership on Rt.9,” Madden said.

Safety was a major concern for the residents, who vocalized that the intersection of Rt. 9 and Taylors Mills Road is dangerous due to extreme congestion, and that a car dealership would only create more traffic, more often. Dealerships are open earlier and stay open later than office buildings, and are open on weekends - which would also lead to an increase in noise in the area.

With so much congestion on Rt. 9, some residents voiced consternation about potential car buyers going on test drives through their neighborhoods, which would be a danger for their children.

Seth Arndt, a resident of Greenfield Road, lives in one of the homes that backs up onto the property in question. Arndt said that since Greenfield is the first turn after you would potentially exit the dealership onto Taylors Mills Road and the road is in a horseshoe-shape it is ideal for a quick test-drive.

“I right now have a five week old son,” Arndt said. “What’s going to happen next year when he starts walking and learning. I’m going to have to worry about test drives and people zipping through the streets at all times - that’s a big concern.”

Arndt also brought up the issue of possible environmental hazards since dealerships produce hazardous waste and use chemicals in their repair department, and Arndt said he is worried contaminants may seep into his backyard.

Residents who have lived in the township for decades appealed to the board to consider how the Master Plan of the township has changed over the years leading to overdevelopment and said they should try to maintain a less urban environment.

Increased noise, lighting, loss of trees, and more car accidents were other issues brought up during public comment.

At the end of the meeting, Chairman John McNaboe decided to continue testimony on the matter at the next planning board meeting, which is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. in the courtroom of the .

The board will hear more testimony from the public, discuss the matter amongst themselves and gain guidance from the township professionals about whether or not the Reexamination Report and amendment to the Master Plan should be adopted.

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