Letter: Planned ordinances benefit developers

To the editor:
   
Just whom does the government of South Brunswick serve? From recent ordinance proposals, it’s clear the developers get the benefits from township government.
   On May 20, the Township Council is preparing to hear the second reading of an ordinance rezoning 140 acres of rural residential lands on the corner of Cranbury-South River Road and Dunham’s Corner Road to light industrial (LI-4). This ordinance will accommodate 2 million square feet of warehouses to be built by K&K Developers along the border between East Brunswick and South Brunswick.
   The zoning board has already granted this developer a variance to build its monstrosity on 126 of these acres. Despite the protests of residents, and an appeal before the Township Council, the variance is still in force, allowing K&K to build. Why, then, should the township amend its Master Plan to allow the rest of the land on that corner to also fall to such development?
   I have been told by some officials that "it just makes sense." I would suggest that there are other reasons. First and foremost is that a zoning change allows the developer to use the land and surrounding lands as he sees fit with little need to worry about restrictions placed upon him by the variance. This, of course denies the public any chance of having much say in how development will progress, or exactly what type of light industrial development might be built on the rest of the acres.
   Secondly, passing such a zoning change denies the public any further chance to appeal the current K&K warehouse development. We have already submitted a legal appeal, but passage of this ordinance would automatically dismiss the appeal. Once more, the public’s voice would be silenced.
   Thirdly, passing the ordinance fulfills the council’s desire to "sell out" virtually all of the open space east of the N.J. Turnpike to industrial developers in the quest for ratables at the cost of residents. Now the so-called 8A corridor — a designation invented by South Brunswick developers — will extend all the way from the township’s southern border to its northernmost border. The "no man’s" land for residents will be complete.
   Those who live on the other side of the tracks in South Brunswick, to the west of the N.J. Turnpike, rarely experience the nightmare of truck traffic created by this development. Nor are their peaceful, quiet nights disturbed by diesel engines, banging doors, back up beepers, and the glare of warehouse lighting. As long as it’s "over there" is really doesn’t seem to matter to them.
   But beware. If the Township Council can so easily overturn the carefully planned zoning of the Master Plan "over there," what’s to stop it from overturning the zoning anywhere?
   On May 20, the Township Council will hear the second reading of Ordinance 34-03, amending the Master Plan in order to change the zoning on lots at the intersection of Cranbury-South River Road and Dunham’s Corner Road from Rural Residential to Light Industrial. It will be time for the public to make its voice heard.Speak then, or forever hold your peace.
Jean E. Dvorak

South Brunswick