Ryders Lane residents still opposed to Wawa expansion

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

By vincent todaro
Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — Wawa seeks to build fewer parking spaces in its revised Planning Board application, but residents who live near the Ryders Lane store continue to oppose the lot expansion.

The company revised its initial application after it was met with resistance from residents and the township’s planning department. The initial plan was to add 37 parking stalls to the store at the corner of Milltown Road, but that number has been decreased to just 25 new spaces, which would bring the total to 60 spaces.

However, the planning department has again recommended the board reject the application, and residents agreed.

"How in the world do they think they can get this approved?" asked Charles Eisenberger, co-chairman of the Ryders Lane Civic Association, which planned to continue its fight against the application at a Planning Board meeting scheduled for last night.

It was uncertain at press time yesterday whether testimony would be heard at the meeting. Two previously scheduled hearings were postponed by Wawa. Some residents have said they don’t believe the additional parking spots are needed, and that they fear Wawa is using the increased area to gain strength in eventually seeking a larger store that, will include gasoline pump sales.

The company had attempted to expand the store and include gas pumps in a hotly contested application before the board last year, but that application was withdrawn.

Eisenberger said residents do not feel the neighborhood is the proper place for a larger store with gas pumps.

"This is a huge issue for us," he said, adding that he is convinced the Planning Board will reject the application.

Michael Redel, a project engineer for Wawa, said in July that the company has no plans to build a larger store with gasoline pumps. He said it simply needs more parking. As part of its plan, Wawa would demolish the adjacent China Moon restaurant, which it has purchased, and use that property to expand its parking lot.

However, according to the township, the 3,400-square-foot store needs only 24 parking spots. In its report, the planning department also took issue with the installation of five new, 20-foot-tall, 400-watt lighting towers in the new parking area.

"The amount of off-site spillage to the adjacent residences along the southern property has not been reduced," planning documents said.