Board delays hearing on dry cleaner

Neighbors, property owner to work out issues

By: Stephanie Brown
   JAMESBURG — Plans for a new drive-through dry cleaners on the southeast corner of Buckelew Avenue and Lake Street are on hold while neighbors and the property owner work out differences.
   The project’s applicant asked the Land Use Board on Nov. 9 to table the preliminary and final site plan hearing until next month. In the meantime, both parties will meet to discuss possible changes to the design.
   The applicant, Yong Jung of Livingston, proposes to turn a one and half story house at 180 Buckelew Ave. into a drive-through dry cleaners. The house currently serves as a rental residence and is located in a General Business zone.
   Proposed plans by Delaware-Raritan Engineering Inc., of Freehold, show additions at the front and rear of the 1,320-square-foot house as well as a drive-through on the west side of the house for a proposed area of 2,959.5 square feet. Five off-street parking spots including one for handicapped drivers behind the building, and four on-street parking spots along Lake Street are also included in the proposal.
   The design shows two access points: one on Lake Street and another on Buckelew Avenue. The Lake Street access point is located behind the parking lot at the end of the lot and is for exiting and entering. It requires paving a portion of a 20-foot wide gravel alleyway behind the lot, which is owned by the borough. The other access point is an exit only onto Buckelew Avenue that drive-through customers would use.
   Richard and Sandra Crawford, who live next door to the proposed dry cleaners, attended the Land Use Board meeting and said they welcome a change in the building’s tenants. However, Mr. Crawford said they have several concerns that they hope to work out with the applicant.
   First, Mr. Crawford said, he wants to make sure that the fencing and curb along the drive-through, which borders his lot, will prevent cars from accidentally entering onto his property.
   Second, the Crawfords want the applicant to pave the portion of gravel alleyway behind their house, too. The alleyway, which runs behind lots on the east side of Buckelew Avenue, is paved behind the doctor’s office adjacent to the Crawfords’ house. Since Mr. Jung plans to pave the portion behind the dry cleaners, Mr. Crawford said it makes sense to extend the pavement to connect the blacktop behind the doctor’s office.
   Third, the Crawfords want to make sure that the dry cleaners’ outside lights will be turned off at night. Mr. Crawford said his children’s bedroom windows face the house and he wouldn’t want the lights to disturb their sleep.
   Overall, Mr. Crawford said he was pleased that the applicant seemed willing to compromise.
   "I was surprised," Mr. Crawford said. "I figured they already had it tied up, but the (applicant) seems pretty fair to me so we’re hoping it works out."
   Mr. Jung’s attorney, Jonathan Heilbrunn of Heilbrunn, Pape and Goldstein in Old Bridge, invited the Crawfords and another neighbor, Joyce Williams who owns Heyad Racing Heads Inc., on John Street, to meet next week.
   The next Land Use Board meeting is scheduled for Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall.