Planning Board approves center for Applegarth Road
By:Joseph Harvie
MONROE Developers are eyeing a new shopping center at the corner of Applegarth and Cranbury-Half Acre roads.
The Planning Board gave final approval July 29 to a proposal to build the center, according to Township Councilman John Riggs.
Mr. Riggs said the property is owned by Jack Morris, who will develop the center. The plans could include a drugstore and several other businesses.
"The plans for that area include a drugstore with a drive-through window, two restaurants, a bank, several medical facilities and a dialysis center," Mr. Riggs said, adding that specific stores have yet to be determined.
Mr. Riggs said the builder will be required to add a traffic light at the entrance of Clearbrook on Applegarth Road. The builder also will build an auxiliary firehouse for the Applegarth Fire Department to use as a second station, said Mr. Riggs.
The builder also will have to build a park-and-ride near the center as a way to eliminate cars parked on either side of Applegarth Road. Commuters park their cars there to catch a bus into New York City, said Mr. Riggs.
"The whole project is contingent upon them acquiring 10 acres adjacent to the property, providing a traffic light for Clearbrook on Applegarth Road and a park-and-ride for cars now parking on Applegarth Road," Mr. Riggs said.
No rezoning was needed for the shopping center because, according to the Monroe Master Plan Map from July 2003, that area was zoned for Planned Office Development Commercial Development.
"(The land) was zoned for exactly what we are using it for, so no rezoning was required," Mr. Riggs said.
The township also is considering an ordinance that would rezone a section of Applegarth Road near the future intersection of Federal and Applegarth roads from residential to Neighborhood Commercial to allow for the construction of a shopping center.
Federal Road currently ends at Old Church Road, and will be extended to make a four way intersection with Applegarth Road and Halsey Reed Road, Township Engineer Ernest Feist said last week.
Mr. Feist said at the southeast corner of the intersection would be home to a shopping center that would more than likely include a supermarket.