By Amy Batista, Special Writer
ROBBINSVILLE The Township Council unanimously endorsed the concept plan for a new Walgreens on Route 33 in the Town Center South redevelopment zone that planners said would serve as a “gateway” to the township.
The council also voted 4-0 on Sept. 13 to introduce an ordinance amending the existing redevelopment plan for Town Center South. The changes that are being sought would accommodate modifications that the redeveloper, Ferber Co., has negotiated with the township’s redevelopment subcommittee.
”We have gone over the redevelopment plan with the developer,” said Stuart Wiser, the township’s planner for Town Center South. “We have agreed on items that will move this project forward.”
The proposed ordinance would subdivide the 2.4-acre parcel from the rest of the redevelopment zone so new building setback requirements could be created to accommodate this particular lot and project. The change would allow the pharmacy to be set 80 feet back from Route 33 and 50 feet back from Washington Boulevard.
”The departure from the plan as previously adopted, is the location of the Walgreens not being right up front along the Route 33 property line,” Mr. Wiser said. “That is I think the most significant departure.”
Charles Olivo, owner of Stonefield Engineering & Design and Ferber’s project engineer, told the council the 15,000-square-foot Walgreens would have a drive-through pharmacy window and 53 parking spaces along the frontage of Route 33 and Washington Boulevard.
”The goal here of the building siting and the development program in general is to really open up the view shed as you come into Robbinsville moving in an easterly direction,” Mr. Olivo said.
Charles Dietz, project architect, noted Walgreens has agreed to deviate from its corporate colors to match the red brick style required for Town Center buildings.
”It’s a big departure for them, but they felt it was important as a good neighbor and a good tenant in the development to go ahead and do that,” Mr. Dietz said.
The project includes a gateway sign with the township name and logo on top, the Walgreens logo in the middle, and an electronic message board below that.
”That’s a surprise,” said Councilwoman Christine Ciaccio, referring to the township’s logo at the top of the sign. “That looks very nice.”
The redevelopment plan amendments allow the installation of an electronic variable message reader board “provided that such element is incorporated within a larger sign that serves as a type of Redevelopment Area gateway feature…”
The redevelopment amendments state the electronic messages on the reader board must be limited to store advertising, activities or events happening within the redevelopment zone, or similar government or civic activities.
Council President Ron Witt called the project a “beautiful building.”
”Not to jump the gun, but welcome to Robbinsville,” Mr. Witt said.
There are 90 acres in the Town Center South Redevelopment Area and two approved redevelopers so far.
Ferber is developing the 2.4-acre Walgreens parcel at the western edge and the joint venture of Sharbell Development Corp. and Elite Showcase Complex LLC is the approved redeveloper for a 52-acre section of vacant township-owned land at the eastern end.
The Sharbell-Elite project includes a 385-by-550-foot air supported field house for sports competitions and entertainment events; four mixed-use multi-story buildings with residential units on the top floors: and freestanding pad sites for restaurants or possibly a hotel.
Managing Editor Joanne Degnan contributed to this story.

