Reaction to Feb. 1 Planning Board Meeting
New Planing Board members appointed by the Township Council tilted the Planning Board to the Dark Side last night. Only two members with conscience and integrity voted NO to the proposal.
This occurred despite the long and detailed testimony offered by Franklin Township residents, Mayor Mac from NB, Mayor Brian and many North Brunswick residents:
- Traffic is hell on Route 27 already, and there is no DOT plan to improve it to the degree that it would require should this development be built. However, if the builder's plan is approved, then a traffic study can be ordered. Sounds backwards, doesn't it?
- There is no good east-west route through NB and will just cause more problems on the adjacent roadways.
- There is a letter on letterhead from the NJ DEP that discusses the status of the wetlands and red-shouldered hawk, and because it doesn't say "C-1" in the body of the letter the PB won't consider it; if the DEP comes across with this official designation (not expected before the Feb 8 meeting), the plan could be altered, although the builder will probably fight it.
- Lots and lots of FT residents don't want this housing and big box store(s). Plenty of NB residents said same.
- Offered into testimony by yours truly was a map detailing the home improvement stores in a ten-mile radius to this new location (11, count 'em Planning Bd - 11!). Paper was examined by all PB members and then set aside and ignored.
- No one likes the builder and the way he operates.
- There was no feasibility study done in FT on whether anyone wanted or needs these stores; however the PB did state that there is a considerable lack of large stores in the township....And this is a bad thing...uh...why?
- The numbers quoted by the town's consultant for school children seemed really low. Dr. Orsini pointed out how unrealistic they were.
- Cost of transferring RCAs to other townships vs. building a new school and educating the kids for ten years was discussed. Numbers showed it was better to transfer the credits.
- Other building areas were discussed, then shot down by PB.
- This plan wasn't much different than the one rejected by the previous Planning Board in December. Well, gee, like a fine wine, it must have gotten better as it aged!
Based upon the results of the Sub-Comittee meeting held last week, this was the expected result. Some PB members felt they had no choice but to vote yes. Sure does look like pay to play, doesn't it folks? PB and FT Council members are so deep in JM's pocket they're sucking lint. Ah, well - See you on Feb. 8 @ 7pm for the Township Council Meeting. Should be packed!
And also thanks Mayor Mac Wommack from North Brunswick for showing up and giving input.
PS. Ms. D-M: BL had already stated that he was speaking on his own behalf and we really didn't need to hear you echo that fact. We all know your agenda.
Comments
I intended to stay for the entire Planning Board meeting, but I started to get sick to my stomach, and couldn't stay any longer.
I wanted to make a comment about how overwhelmed with emotion I was when Ted Chase explained the Town Council's heartfelt, sincere,and unveering commitment to the goal of providing affordable housing to township residents. It brought a tear to my eye. Really.
Which is why I can't understand why they were so eager to throw the good people in Block 123 out of their homes so they could take their property, hand it over to a private developer to make way for a supermarket.
Where did they think those residents were going to be able to move to? One of Jack's projects? At least they'd be within walking distance of a Home Depot.
Posted by: Cathy Blumig | February 3, 2006 01:16 PM