Development sprouts;
officials hope for traffic help
BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE
Staff Writer
TINTON FALLS — Construction of the expanded, relocated Red Bank Animal Hospital at Tinton Falls is nearing completion, and ground will be broken soon on the Laurino farm, which will be developed as a 168-townhome active adult community.
With those transformations fronting Hance Avenue between Apple Street and Sycamore Avenue, a way to ease the traffic problems that will come with development is a topic under discussion.
While a light, partially funded by the owners of the animal hospital, is a definite at Apple Street, Mayor Ann McNamara said another signal down the road is needed as well. The owners of the veterinary hospital have committed $150,000 to the project, the mayor said. But that only solves one part of the traffic problem puzzle.
Now that a development will soon be sprouting on the Laurino farm tract, borough officials are looking to county officials to make good on an old promise.
"The county officials always told us that when they had a better idea of what would go on the farm when it was sold, then they could make a decision on a light at that intersection [Sycamore and Hance avenues]," McNamara said.
"The developer has committed to helping alleviate the traffic in some way, as a condition of approvals. Plans for the farm are final and there is a sense of cooperation and urgency. So, there should finally be some action on the matter soon."
McNamara said the developer, Sterling Properties, Livingston, promised to help secure the light.
She has been invited to attend meetings on the subject with traffic engineers.
"I’m committed. I want a traffic signal there to alleviate those dangerous doglegs of road that get so congested," McNamara said. "Now is the time; and I’m going to stand up for the best interests of the town on the issue."
The roads surrounding the new developments are county roads. So, the decision to add traffic lights and make road improvements rests with the county.
Until now, requests have been turned down to put a traffic light at the highly congested intersection of Hance and Sycamore avenues because another light is just a block away at Sycamore and Hope Road
"The old argument that another light at Sycamore and Hance would be too close to an existing light does not wash with me," McNamara said. "There is a close proximity of lights in other towns and it has worked well with timing to keep traffic under better control.
"It would be best for everyone. I know if people had their way, they’d rather have the farm stay a farm. But that’s not going to happen.
"The best we can do is to create a positive situation with the development that is unavoidable and on the way.
"We all love the farm, but it’s not our farm to love, keep or sell," she said. "It was the Laurinos’ and now it’s in the hands of a developer who has been gracious enough to welcome our input on the process ahead. I intend to take them up on that offer."