Letters to the Editor, Dec. 30, 2004

Routes 29/546 intersection important, too
To the editor:
   
Those of us close to the Route 29/Route 546 (Washington Crossing-Pennington Road) intersection expected the DOT would propose changes. After all, the intersection has a "F" rating and has produced frequent accidents.
   Southbound Route 29 cars and gravel trucks pass a few feet from vehicles parked directly in front of Faherty’s restaurant. Patrons leaving step out close to 40-mph-plus traffic. Northbound vehicles, legally within the painted line, pass 3-5 feet from fueling vehicles at the Gulf station. Often vehicles cross the line, making an illegal right lane, sometimes passing only inches from fueling vehicles. Boom!
   Has anyone, anywhere in the state, seen traffic moving so close to fueling vehicles?
   Route 31 is also a mess, especially the Pennington Circle. So I understand why Hopewell Township wants Route 31 improved, but don’t hold Route 29 hostage to the lack of progress on Route 31. These are independent events.
   A few years ago the task force on truck traffic helped ban from Route 29 long-haul truck traffic. Build on that effort by encouraging the DOT to improve this intersection for the safety of everyone.
Eric Senkowsky, Hopewell Township
Southern Neighborhoods meeting set Tuesday
To the editor:
   
The next Smart Growth meeting for Southern Neighborhoods will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4, at the Hopewell Township Municipal Building.
   We will be following the agenda below, as derived from Dec. 16’s Action Points:
   — Show properties in question on aerial map.
   — Review current zoning/sewering (developer’s options).
   — Review the Smart Growth process in Karl Kehde’s book.
   — Discuss goals and fears associated with development of these properties.
   — Define specific goals as Action Points going forward.
   — And, if time remains and it seems desirable, prioritize goals.
   Please come prepared with your list of preferences for the properties slated for development. We want to listen to your problems, concerns and fears as well, so that we can develop goals that will alleviate or take care of those problems, concerns and fears as much as possible.
   We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Please contact me at 737-2402 or [email protected] if you have anything to say in the meantime.
Bill Piper, Southern Neighborhoods, Hopewell Township