By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
CRANBURY — 7-Eleven representatives met with residents at Cranbury School on March 5 to begin a dialogue about a convenience store possibly moving into the Route 130 corridor.
Although the project is in the planning stages, 7-Eleven is looking to construct a store on a .77-acre plot located on a triangle between Route 130 and South River Road, said John Palus, land development engineer for Dynamic Engineer, the firm overseeing the project.
The corporation is looking to construct a building of less than 3,000 square feet at the site, he said.
The 7-Eleven plans to maintain the store and the grounds but will seek out a franchise owner if the project is approved, Mr. Palus said.
No entries or exits have been finalized, as representatives need to meet with the state Department of Transportation to determine those components, he said.
Mr. Palus said residents had a number of concerns that 7-Eleven representatives either addressed or plan to address.
Some residents voiced their concerns over a growing commercial zone’s impact on Cranbury’s historic and small-town feel.
”At this point we want to work with the Historical Preservation Commission to come up with architecture suited for Cranbury,” Mr. Palus said.
Light nuisances, both by the store’s stationary fixtures as well as by the moving headlights that could disturb neighbors as cars enter and exit the premises, was another issue discussed, he said.
On the first topic, planners will look to install smaller lights that are directed downward, Mr. Palus said.
On the second topic, Mr. Palus said he doesn’t expect customers’ headlights to be a major issue, as the store would be located at the site of a jughandle, where, if there were any light disturbances, they would likely already exist, he said.
However, representatives are looking at the property’s layout to see if they can alleviate any possible problems.
A number of residents felt the location of the store could pose a danger to customers who attempt to cross a sometimes busy and hazardous Route 130, an issue the corporation can address, but not necessarily solve, Mr. Palus said.
”With any development, you’re going to have concerns,” he said. “But we’ll also work with the DOT to revise the plans and help do anything we can.”
7-Eleven’s next step is to meet with the DOT and improve upon the concept, Mr. Palus said.
Initially, corporate representatives brought their proposal to the Development Review Committee last fall, said Cathleen Marcelli, township engineer.
At that time, township officials warned 7-Eleven that a company had made a similar proposal for a gas station and convenience store at the site more than five years ago, which was ultimately rejected, she said.
Currently, a gas station or a convenience store is allowed in General Commercial zones but not on the proposed project’s site, which is in a Highway Commercial zone, Ms. Marcelli said.
7-Eleven representatives will have to seek a use variance if plans are to proceed, she said.
Unlike the previous proposal, Mr. Palus said, his client does not intend to include a gas station. He said the previous project was rejected because the site was going to be “overdeveloped” and he doesn’t believe 7-Eleven will receive the same response because it is trying to fill a void for the community.
”The site is an eyesore today,” Mr. Palus said. “This amenity really isn’t readily available and it certainly fits here.”