In an article in the Nov. 4 issue of the Suburban (“Old Bridge Will Rezone 1,500 Acres Commercial”), Mayor Jim Phillips touts the introduction of a new ordinance adopting the commercial-office-industrial (COI) zone.
I agree with the mayor that this is a good move forward. It will reduce the number of homes and make it more business-friendly by expediting the approval process for companies looking to locate in Old Bridge, thereby bringing jobs for our local residents.
Good idea? I thought so five or six years ago when the Old Bridge Economic Development Corp. (EDC) first initiated it. I know, because I was president of the EDC and worked on the original committee with Richard Zipp; George Koehler; Theresa Palmisano, then EDC director; Sam Rizzo, our township planner; and many others, including former Mayor Barbara Cannon. Much hard work and many hours were spent in the creation of this innovative concept of zoning.
The fact is that this COI zone was extended into other areas but was expressly designed for the purpose of attracting commercial ratables on the Olympia and York property, now the Crossroads, where this mayor and Township Council majority just approved for redevelopment along with about 800 homes on our property. This ordinance should have been adopted a long time ago, before the 800 homes you intend to put there.
In my opinion, it is very disingenuous to try and take credit for something you didn’t have a part in. Mayor, take credit for the 800 homes you are putting on our property.
This same property could have been used for commercial development, bringing much-needed jobs for our people and tax revenue to the town, or left as open space as the vast majority of residents pleaded for but were totally ignored.
As elected officials, we have a responsibility to be truthful with the people whom we serve. It is those same people, the people of Old Bridge, to whom we owe our allegiance first and foremost.
G. Kevin Calogera
Member
Old Bridge Township Council