By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
A 37-acre parcel on the corner of Quakerbridge Road and Lawrence Station Road may be rezoned from residential to commercial, in order to accommodate a potential Costco store on a portion of the property.
The request for rezoning, which was discussed by the township Planning Board Monday night, was made by United States Land Resources L.P. in a June 27 letter to Municipal Manager Richard Krawczun, who doubles as the township’s Community Development Department director.
After some discussion, the Planning Board directed township planning consultant Philip Caton to prepare a draft copy of an amendment to the Lawrence Township Master Plan’s Land Use Element, which is the first step in rezoning the site. It will be reviewed at the board’s Aug. 20 meeting.
In last month’s letter, Lawrence S. Berger, who is a principal in the Morristown-based real estate limited partnership, wrote that the present zoning, which permits age-restricted multi-family use, “is not viable in the present economy.” The demand for age-restricted housing has diminished since the land was rezoned for that use in 2005, he wrote.
”The present use of the property, therefore, constitutes a hardship,” Mr. Berger wrote. “As you are also aware, Costco Wholesale Corp. has a serious interest in locating one of their stores on a portion of the property. We would very much appreciate the township considering the possibility of rezoning the property to Highway Commercial.”
The 37-acre tract is zoned Planned Village Development 3, which permits housing for persons who are at least 55 years old. If the zoning is changed to Highway Commercial, it would allow retail stores, restaurants including fast-food restaurants and department stores, bars and taverns, banks, offices, theaters and entertainment, and indoor recreational facilities.
The property contains six buildings which total 236,256 square feet, according to the tax assessor’s office. The buildings have been vacant for several years. The property has an assessed value of $3.5 million, and generated $150,220 in real estate taxes for 2011.
Mr. Caton told the Planning Board Monday night that the property is “an eye-sore” in an area along Quakerbridge Road that would be suitable for residential or commercial use. The Highway Commercial zone could be extended from Route 1/Brunswick Pike, he said.
Mr. Krawczun said he agreed with Mr. Caton, and that marketing age-restricted housing is difficult. People cannot sell their homes, so they cannot buy new homes, he said. A commercial use, such as the one proposed by Mr. Berger, would be compatible with existing uses on Quakerbridge Road, such as the Public Service Gas & Electric facility. There also are small strip shopping centers on Quakerbridge Road.
”I think philosophically, the age-restricted boom has imploded. (The property) is certainly not doing anything the way it is. I think we have to look at the Master Plan and how to help the town,” Planning Board member Doris Weisberg said, adding that a tax ratable would not be a bad thing.
Mr. Caton said that although Mr. Berger approached township officials, “we are not responding just to him.” He pointed out that the State Legislature has amended the law to allow age-restricted developments to be converted into “regular” housing.
With the Planning Board’s concensus, Mr. Caton will prepare a draft amendment to the Master Plan for the board’s review at its Aug. 20 meeting. Once the Planning Board reviews the revision, it can schedule a public hearing on the amendment.
If the amendment to the Master Plan is approved, then it is up to Township Council to amend the Land Use Ordinance to rezone the parcel. A Master Plan sets out a town’s vision for itself, and the Land Use Ordinance implements it.

