Rockefeller Group abandons Breza Road
By: Purvi Desai
UPPER FREEHOLD The much-criticized development plan application by Rockefeller Group to build 1.8 million square feet of warehouses on Breza Road was withdrawn late Tuesday afternoon, according to officials.
Sue Babbitt, secretary of the Upper Freehold Planning Board, said she received a "very short, short letter" from Rockefeller Group’s attorney Steven Barcan on Tuesday afternoon, which simply stated, "Please be advised that Rock IDI withdraws its pending application for general development plan and variance approval."
"I can confirm that our application was withdrawn," Brian Mahoney, a Rockefeller representative said late Tuesday, adding that company representatives were expected to meet Wednesday "to discuss the details."
Mr. Mahoney said Tuesday night he could not provide more details on why the application was withdrawn or what, if any, other plans he may have for the property.
Commerce Park, the warehouse complex, was supposed to be worth $82 million, and would have occupied 254 acres, divided among three warehouses. Rockefeller estimated it would have generated $1.6 million total in tax revenue, with $1.2 million going toward the school district annually. The plan ignited months of controversy between those who felt the warehouse would be a boon to the area and those (mainly Allentown residents) who felt it would help to destroy it.
While some touted financial benefits brought on by Commerce Park, critics cited everything from environmental impact to traffic flow studies that concluded the warehouse would negatively affect the entire region.
Upper Freehold Planning Board Planner Mark Remsa was unaware of Rockefeller’s decision to withdraw, and said they made the move just a couple of days before the expected final public meeting on the application that was to be held on Nov. 30. "That’s pretty late in the game though," he said. "At this point, I’m drawing a blank."
Township Committeeman Sal Diecidue was also caught unaware and very surprised to learn of the developments. "Oh, my, gosh!" he said, when informed by The Messenger Press, but declined to comment further.
Allentown Committeewoman Margaret Armenante said she was pleased with Rockefeller’s decision to withdraw the application.
"People spoke, and they were heard," she said. "It does mean that people pay attention when something’s happening on our borders. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of help from our experts (that we got here). It means we can’t lose our vigilance. Something will be going on there. We can’t relax, but we need to be sure that we are heard and be sure that we can come up with a plan that’s protective of our status (as a historic village)."
"This is great news," said Allentown resident Wayne Smith, adding that many residents were hoping for Rockefeller to leave town. "Many of us have worked very hard to show the Planning Board that it’s wrong."
Allentown resident Alice Wikoff could not believe her ears when she heard the news from The Messenger Press. "Wonderful!" she said in an excited breath. "I’m so happy. You cannot believe how happy I am. I’m so happy I could cry. It’s been foremost on my mind for months. I’ve been worrying about it."
"This is a genuine, David-versus-Goliath victory for generations past, present and future," said Allentown resident Micah Rasmussen. "It just goes to show what neighbors can do when they work together for the common good of their community."
Upper Freehold Regional School District Superintendent Robert Smith said he does not think the withdrawal of Rockefeller’s application will make it easier to build the middle school (slated for construction on Ellisdale Road, but also being considered for construction on the very site Rockefeller wanted for Commerce Park). "It probably makes it easier to consider it," he said. "I can say that it seems to me that it’s worth exploring a bit further."
The Ellisdale Road site tested positive for dieldrin and arsenic, both pesticides, on Oct. 2005. Since then, school officials have faced heavy criticism from parents and concerned residents about exposing children to that site and about the heavy costs of remediating the contaminated soil. On Sept. 23, school board members hired an architect to study Breza Road as an alternative site for the middle school. On Oct. 18, the architect informed the board that Breza Road was a viable alternative to Ellisdale Road, only costlier.
This withdrawal by Rockefeller also affects those beyond Allentown and Upper Freehold.
Washington Township Mayor Dave Fried, a longtime critic of the Commerce Park plan, said on Tuesday that he was pleased with the outcome.
"I think this is very good news for me and the residents of Washington Township," he said. "I’m really looking forward to do some regional planning with the mayor in Upper Freehold on that property."
Mayor Fried said he hopes Allentown, Upper Freehold and Washington can work together as neighbors for future planning.

