I was going to write a long winded rebuttal to this meeting, but instead, I’ll reduce it to bullet points.
- People testified against a 100,000 ft retail establishment off Symmes road (with access to Route 9) previously. Why is it still being discussed?
- Data centers and high tech software development centers are a good thing, spend time investigating that.
- “Last major chunk of land” is not a criteria to push ahead. We’ve heard enough, its not needed, move on.
- Someone needs to work with the residents to determine what type of development we WANT in Manalapan, not just reacting to what others WANT to inflict on us.
- A historic village around the mill seemed nice, but you lost me on storage units. Is this the local government version of pork? You have the opportunity, as pointed out by the lawyer to be specific as to whats acceptable. Time to do the job right and do that.
- There are better ways to solve commuter parking that having that be a concession to a developer. Think harder.
- Looks like I need to start blocking out the Planning and Township Committee meetings on my calendar.
- November is coming, the residents are not being partisan, I’ve proven I’m not. You need to listen to the residents.
07726concerns 
As some of you may recall, I was a Planning Board member until December 2011, and spoke out on the Catena rezoning application early this year. I’m hoping to enlist you to oppose the latest rezoning proposal.
Steiner [owner of Wegman-Target Epicenter] wants to build more retail stores on the property behind Mr. Tire [Vespia’s] and the library/commuter lot. Right now that land is zoned for an office park. They want to rezone the property to permit 105,000 square feet of retail PLUS 400 additional commuter parking spaces. Also included will be a 4 way traffic light on Symmes so you can get to the new property and the Epicenter.
I think it’s going to be a traffic nightmare, especially on weekends. You might even have traffic back up from the new light, past the jughandle, to Rt 9.
The first step in the plan would be for the Planning Board to amend the Master Plan to permit retail stores in OP10 zones. [this property is the only OP10 zone on Route 9, and might be the only one in Manalapan]. There is a Planning Board meeting on July 26. We need a big turnout to show that there is substantial opposition to this plan. The second step would be the Township Committee enacting an ordinance effectuating the Master Plan Revision. If the Planning Board changes the master plan on July 26, the Township Committee will consider an ordinance change on August 15. Put that date on your calendar too.
Also, please send emails to the Planing Board and Township Committee voicing your concerns [you could just send one to the mayor and copy the Deputy, Committemen and Lovrich; send a separate one to Eleanor at the Planning Board]. Also, forward this email to anyone who would voice their concerns either in an email or make an appearance at the meetings. We really need a big turnout, even if not everyone speaks. Just filling the room lets the Plannning Board and the Township Comm of the opposition.
Mayor Susan Cohen scohen@mtnj.org
Deputy Mayor Don Holland dholland@mtnj.org
Committeeman Andrew Lucas alucas@mtnj.org
Committeeman Ryan Green rgreen@mtnj.org
Committeeman Jordan Maskowitz jmaskowitz@mtnj.org
Township Administrator Tara Lovrich admin2@twp.manalapan.nj.us
Planning Board: Eleanor Ruggiero, Recording Secretary planningboard@twp.manalapan.nj.us
[you should specifically ask her to distribute your email to all Planning Board members]
FYI – Committeeman Ryan Green is running for re-election in November.
Please contact me if you have any questions. thanks.
Herb Lazar
herblazar@yahoo.com