Testimony on Wawa’s much-debated application to add more space for parking at its Ryders Lane convenience store was again postponed last week, and the East Brunswick Planning Board is now expected to hear the plans next month.

The application has yet to be heard by the board because the company canceled two scheduled hearings, the first in June and the second July 10. Though a hearing was scheduled for Aug. 7, a Wawa representative said this week he expects testimony to begin Aug. 21.

Residents who live nearby have been vocal in their opposition to the plans, saying they believe Wawa is merely taking the first step in what would be a second attempt to build a larger store with gas pumps on the site.

The township’s Planning and Engineering Department is contending that Wawa does not need as many parking spots as it is requesting. The department has recommended that the board reject the application, which seeks to expand the size of the parking lot and increase the number of stalls from 35 to 72.

The proposal to expand the parking lot would require several variances, as well as a design standard waiver.

Planning Board documents state that, if permitted, the parking lot expansion would be contrarWawa: ‘We’re not doing

what they fear we are’

Application to add parking at store postponed to August meeting

By vincent todaro

Staff Writery to the township’s design standards, which state that "streets, lots, parking areas and buildings shall be designed and arranged to reduce unnecessary impervious cover, and to mitigate adverse effects of shadow, noise, odor, traffic, glare, drainage, and utilities on neighboring properties."

The department’s report also says there would be off-site light spillage to the southern property boundary of the site.

Wawa submitted the application after purchasing the adjacent site of the China Moon restaurant, and the proposal is to use that property to increase the size of the parking lot.

However, this week, Michael Redel, project engineer for Wawa, said the company plans to resubmit the application that shows a decrease in the number of new parking spaces sought. He did not say how many new spots would be requested. The new application, he said, will eliminate the need for the variances required under the present plans.

"During peak hours, we need more parking at the site," Redel said. "It’s our policy to add parking to help add to the convenience of our customers."

According to the township’s ordinance, only 24 parking spots are needed for the 3,400-square-foot store.

The township’s Planning and Engineering Department has said parking is adequate.

"The application has not provided any justification for the excessive number of parking stalls, which significantly exceeds ordinance requirements. In addition, since the store’s opening, the existing parking lot has proved to be adequate, even during peak hours," according to documents on file with the Planning Department.

Wawa wanted to build a larger store at the site last year, and to build pumps for gasoline sales. Many residents who live nearby were vocal in their opposition to the idea, however, and Wawa withdrew the plans.

Residents, in fliers and at public meetings, have said they fear this new application is part of a long-term plan for Wawa to eventually build the larger store with gas pumps. The residents, many of whom are members of the Ryders Lane Civic Association, have said such a use would be inappropriate for the area.

Redel, however, denied that Wawa has any plans beyond adding parking spaces.

"I don’t see any way we could have the gas pumps approved, and we have no plan to ever present a plan with gas pumps," he said. Any residents who believe the parking lot expansion is part of a ploy to gain space for a larger store are misinformed," Redel said.

"We aren’t doing what they fear we’re doing," he added.

As part of its present application, Wawa also seeks to improve paving and curbing, and to expand the drainage system. It also wants to add lighting and landscaping in accordance with the parking lot expansion.

The store is presently open 24 hours, and has between three and eight employees working at a given time. Many of its merchandise deliveries come during the early morning hours, often on weekdays.

Under the current application, Wawa would need the board to grant variances for lot width and landscape buffering. The plan would place parking stalls within the 20-foot landscape buffer between the store and Ryders Lane.

Other issues with the plans are that they do not provide topsoil protection, a refuse enclosure and tree protection, according to township planning documents.

In addition, an environmental impact worksheet prepared by the Planning and Engineering Department indicates there are existing or proposed underground storage tanks on the property that have not been identified in Wawa’s plans.

The individual parking spots would also be too large, as they are listed at 10 by 20 feet. The current stalls are 9.5 by 19, which is the maximum allowed by ordinance.

However, the documents state that, by eliminating the driveway for China Moon, Ryders Lane would have fewer points of conflict.