Ab’deen group opposed to storage-facility plan
Engineer also cites
problems with Zoning Board application
Citing urban sprawl and inappropriate use, Aberdeen residents in the "W" section of Strathmore are fighting plans to construct a self-storage facility on Route 34.
The application, from Treasure Island of Aberdeen Self Storage, is currently before the township Zoning Board. Testimony will be continued at the next board meeting on Dec. 13. The applicant originally appeared before the board on Aug. 23.
According to Bob Donnelly, a Warren Drive resident, there has been strong community opposition to the proposed facility. Donnelly said that more than 125 residents attended the first hearing on the application and approximately 75 were at the second board meeting.
"The board members told us it was the largest crowd they’ve ever had for a meeting. It was standing room only," said Donnelly.
Plans call for the construction of five two-story mini-warehouse/self-storage buildings on Route 34, where two buildings already exist. One of the two buildings, both of which will remain intact, currently houses the Kwik Shop and Jerry’s Valet Cleaners, and the other, Raiders Marine Christmas Warehouse. The Raiders Marine would become the office for Treasure Island.
Residents of the "W" section of the large Strathmore development, which is located behind the site and accessible from Lloyd Road, are concerned about the number of variances needed for the application, including a use variance. The applicant is seeking a variance for an industrial use in an RC (residential/commercial) zone.
Treasure Island is also seeking a variance for 29 percent lot coverage where there is only a maximum of 20 percent allowed. Also, Treasure Island needs variances for multiple uses of the property and parking spaces. The company is seeking to have 30 spaces, where 38 are required.
In a review of the application, Township Engineer Tim Gillen sent recommendations to the board stating that "the proposed use is overly intense and that the site may be inappropriate for said use."
"Given the conforming retail and office uses on either side of this site, and the residential uses to the rear, side and front of the site, it is difficult to understand why this site is particularly suited to the proposed self-storage use," said Gillen in his review of the application.
Gillen also added that while Treasure Island indicates that the unique shape of the lot imposes site constraints, it is a rectangle and regular in shape. He also added that the lot dimensions and lot area meet all requirements of the RC zone
Two issues area residents are concerned with are the site’s proximity to Warren Drive and Winter Place, and the steep topography of the property, which they say could lead to erosion. Gillen’s report supports the residents’ concerns on both issues.
Gillen reports that "the site is directly adjacent [to] residential uses along the side and rear lot lines. The proposed plan will encroach much closer than permitted by ordinance to the residential area, thus increasing the potential impact. Therefore, the size of the site may not be suitable for the use as proposed."
Gillen added that "the topography of the site may require a substantial amount of grading and cut and fill to accommodate the extent of improvements necessitated by the proposed use."
Residents of the "W" section, which borders the lot to the south, see this plan as another example of urban sprawl.
"There is a wholesale effort to build as much as possible. It is just more urban sprawl, more traffic and density," said Donnelly. "I mean, picture a tractor-trailer trying to make a left-hand turn onto [Route] 34."
"You can’t make a left-hand turn onto 34 already," added Cathy Gramatelli, a lifelong resident of Winter Place.
Residents have seen development in the Route 34 corridor explode in recent years, which includes the 372-house Woodcliff development in neighboring Marlboro.
The Planning Board also has an application for a 64-unit townhouse complex, called Greenwich of Aberdeen, to be built on a nearby vacant lot on Route 34. Both Treasure Island and Greenwich are being represented by attorney Mark Brightman.
Additionally, residents question the need for a self -storage facility when there is already a U Store It Village on Route 35 in the township, Shurgard Storage Centers on Route 34 in nearby Old Bridge, and four others in Old Bridge. In July, Treasure Island, which also owns Jason’s Self Storage in Neptune, applied to build a storage facility on Route 34 in Old Bridge, adjacent to Shurgard.
"Its to the point of over-saturation," said Bob Cavallaro of Winter Place. Cavallaro also points out that the Wyndham condominium complex across the street from the property has its own storage space.
Cavallaro added that there are many problems intrinsic to a storage facility, including security and maintenance.
"I was told that it will be a one-man operation or done electronically after a certain hour," said Cavallaro. "I’m concerned with security, and though there will not be high traffic, it will be high volume. Besides, it’s a garage, there’s no reason to maintain it."
The residents realize that the 4.28 acre lot will be developed, they just want to make sure it corresponds to its surroundings.
"We’re not opposed to something being built, such as a restaurant," said Cavallaro, "however, the magnitude and use of this property for a storage facility is inappropriate."
"There is a core of people from the community who know what the issues are," added Gramatelli. "This use variance is a very serious issue and has to be addressed."