Planning Board vote on COAH plan puts Millstone Township’s rural future at stake

Ihave lived in Millstone for only four years with my wife and three young children. My family is my sole reason for existence, and our home is our sanctuary.

When we moved to Millstone from Route 18, it was a dream come true. The simple fact is that the COAH plan developed by Township Planner Richard Coppola and approved by the Planning Board will turn our dream into a nightmare. Whether or not this was the board’s intention, it will be the result. And this is not only my nightmare but a nightmare to be shared amongst all of the residents who enjoy a peaceful and tranquil way of life.

When I drive down Route 9 or Route 18, I say to myself, “Thank god I do not have to deal with this anymore.” Then I think about all of my customers living in Marlboro and Manalapan who tell me how when the bought their homes 25 years ago, Route 9 was just like Route 33 and I wonder where did it all go wrong? When was the first time that town made the decision to forego the serenity of rural life and give in to the urban pressure?

My guess is that the first project approved was a difficult decision. I am sure there was good reason for the project — be it financial need, financial benefit (either for the town or certain individuals) or to satisfy some regulation being forced upon them. I am sure the project was met with a lot of resistance from residents wanting to keep their way of life. Regardless of the reason, the town went against everything they valued and treasured about their way of life, probably with the idea that it would only be that one time for that one reason. And so the first crack in the foundation appeared.

My guess is the second project wasn’t as difficult to approve. After that, the third and forth projects almost approve themselves. Before anyone knew it, they were sitting three lights deep in traffic on Route 9 south for 25 minutes, trying to drive a half of a mile past Best Buy and Wegman’s at 4:30 p.m. on a Friday to get home to their once peaceful abode, wondering, “Where did it all go wrong?”

I understand that the town was put in a difficult position by the state to submit a plan to satisfy its seemingly unfair COAH obligations. I understand that we are doing everything we can to fight those obligations and have them amended. I understand that there is a chance that the number of units we are required to have in our plan may decrease significantly. What I cannot believe is that we as a community are prepared to take that first step toward Route 9 without putting up more of a fight, without burning the midnight oil together to figure out a better alternative.

It has been emphatically stated by members of the COAH committee that the only feasible plan to present for vote has to include a major shopping center, 85 affordable housing units and an enclosed sewage treatment facility, which will handle some 45,000 gallons of wastewater per day and discharge it back into the soil less than 100 yards from preserved wetlands, the Millstone River and most importantly, the soil where many residents draw the well-water for their family. Any suggestion of a possible alternate plan was routinely met with aggressive rejection by the COAH committee headed up by our Mayor Nancy A. Grbelja and Township Planner Richard Coppola (who is not a resident of our town). The Planning Board repeatedly stated that they choose to defer to the expert opinion of Mr. Coppola rather than consider alternatives since Mr. Coppola presented no alternatives.

I have heard Mr. Coppola’s qualifications, and have listened to him speak at length. There is no doubt that he is indeed a highly intelligent man and an absolute expert when it comes to matters of devising a plan to satisfy COAH. However, this is what leads me to my most concerning question. What would we have done if this “good samaritan” landowner did not come forward and offer to bail us out by building these 85 COAH units at no cost to the town, as long as the town approved his major commercial development? Would Mr. Coppola not have had the ability to devise a plan to submit to the state that would have satisfied our COAH obligation for the nearly $60,000 he has been paid in 2008 to devise such a plan?

If the answer is no, then I have to question whether Mr. Coppola is indeed qualified to hold the position of township planner. If the answer is yes, then I do not understand why that plan wasn’t developed as an alternative so the members of the Planning Board were given a choice. Paraphrasing the sentiments that Planning Board member Mr. Pado stated on record prior to voting in favor of Mr. Coppola’s plan, “I have two choices — vote for a builder’s remedy lawsuit or vote for the proposed plan.” That’s not much of a choice. It seems to me that Mr. Coppola has unilaterally decided the best course of action for our town, and we will live with the consequences.

The fact is our fight against the state with regard to the number of COAH units may be successful. However, regardless of the number of units that we are required to build, the developer’s project will be allowed to go forward, which will include the shopping center and the enclosed waste management facility. Envision the future: 18-wheelers constantly making deliveries, shoppers lining up in their cars down Route 33 with their right hand blinkers on, dozens of 50-foot high parking lot lights illuminating the six overflowing dumpsters, which are dripping with the day’s uneaten curly fries and quesadillas from T.G.I. Fridays, the distinct stench of the fumes being released from the sewage treatment facility lingering in the air. And, you sitting on the once tranquil Highway 33 — 30 cars deep at a newly installed traffic light just yearning to finally be home with your family, wondering to yourself, “Where did it all go wrong?” You would need only to look to the vote of the Millstone Township Planning Board on Dec. 16, 2008 to find you answer.
Brian Lourenco
Millstone