Hearing on church
expansion to continue
BY BRYAN SABELLA
Staff Writer
METUCHEN — The Zoning Board of Adjustment reviewed the site plan application for a project that has been a source of controversy over the past year.
Metuchen Assembly of God Inc., 130 Whitman Ave., was granted a use variance in October to expand and modernize its 20-year-old combined church, day-care facility and elementary school.
The church appeared before the board again on Thursday, seeking site plan approval.
Assembly of God proposes constructing a two-story addition to the north side of the building, demolishing the existing freestanding day-care center, installing a new playground area, and expanding the parking lot to accommodate 112 spaces.
In the past, neighbors have voiced concerns over the increased traffic, noise and potential flooding the project may bring.
Issues addressed at last week’s meeting centered primarily on drainage and lighting.
Drainage has long been an issue in the areas surrounding the site, which lies near the intersection of Rose Street and Whitman Avenue.
Engineer Martin A. Jessen testified for the applicant, and indicated that the plan calls for the installation of a concrete drainage pipe along the north side of the property. Jessen said the new pipe would be able to handle existing water flow as well as any added volume resulting from the new construction.
Donald J. Norbut, a special consultant to the Zoning Board on the project, noted that new construction and paving at the site will increase the amount of "impervious surfaces" unable to absorb water and called for further study of drainage factors.
Also at issue was just how the expanded site would be lighted.
The heights of some of the new lighting poles called for in the plan were discouraged by the board.
In addition, the plan does not call for any lighting in the rear playground area. Norbut expressed concerns about youths being able to "hang out" in the area at night, and suggested "low-level security lighting" be considered.
The applicant and the board agreed to work together to reach a consensus on the lighting and drainage plans.
Also discussed was the new traffic circle for student pickup and dropoff that will sit in front of the addition.
Board planner Ed Wilson focused on the fact that the church and school are in a residential neighborhood, and proposed enlarging the island that will sit in the center of the traffic circle to allow for substantial planting and landscaping.
"We need to take this opportunity to enhance the overall quality of the site," Wilson said.
Although the landscaper for the project was not present, some details were revealed.
Jessen testified the plan calls for the construction of raised berms around the new building and play areas, which will be landscaped and planted with trees to act as additional buffers between the church property and surrounding homes.
The public portion of the meeting was limited to questions for the planner, the bulk of which focused on the drainage and lighting issues.
Some residents cited the sheeting effect of runoff and the ponding of water that occurs in areas near the site after significant rain falls.
Other residents sought assurances that the new lighting would not be intrusive.
At least one traffic concern seemed to be laid to rest.
Jessen indicated that the applicant and not the taxpayers will shoulder the costs of improvements to be made to the intersection of Rose Street and Whitman Avenue.
The board is scheduled to review further aspects of the site plan, including landscaping and traffic flow, when it meets March 11.