By Elizabeth Johnson, Special Writer
Residents continue to speak out against the development of a Quick Chek gas station in the south end of the township.
The Planning Board met Feb. 12 to continue discussions on the proposed Quick Chek convenience store and gas station for the intersection of Route 130 and Rivergate Boulevard.
Robert Dale, partner of Bordentown Waterfront Community, spoke of the resistance Quick Chek has met with regard to its originally proposed “mixed use” space. Quick Chek has chosen to redesign the store as a standalone store and to address operation and circulation issues the board previously mentioned.
Mr. Dale said Quick Chek would be providing a “lively place” with a mixture of retail and recreation uses.
”That location is a difficult one for retail; it is small and oddly shaped and has topography issues, visibility issues,” Mr. Dale said. “That part of the township doesn’t have the population center and has been a tough sell to retailers. We felt extremely happy and excited when we found that Quick Chek was willing to plant their flag in the ground.”
Mr. Dale presented artist renderings of a variety of perspectives drivers would encounter when traveling along Route 130. The proposed project would stand on the Crystal Lake side of Route 130.
The applicant has decreased the number of gas pumps originally proposed as well as adjusted the original lighting proposal based on previous concerns.
”We’ve heard the neighbors have concerns,” Mr. Dale said. “I’m hoping we are beyond those issues. We do want to be good neighbors and reduce the amount of impact we have on that neighborhood.
He went on to describe the landscaping solutions that have been provided.
”It is something we hope to work with Crystal Lake homeowners on,” he said. “I can’t represent that we have an agreement yet, but we will continue to work with them.”
Rich Lamont, a representative of the Quick Chek Corporation, detailed the history of Quick Chek, describing it as a community-minded company that intends to hire local employees who receive extensive training for their role in the company, particularly when dealing with gasoline.
When addressing the issue of standards of gasoline safety, Mr. Lamont said, “Our standard for safety is actually for our employees standing at the pump and customers that come and go, and we believe our system is safe for them, and, by extension, there is no risk for neighbors.”
Mayor Jim Cann asked Mr. Lamont about the emergency protocol for the gasoline pumps.
”We do as a matter of practice and a matter of regulation include emergency shutoffs in multiple locations and training on the proper use of spill kits and how to recognize what is something they can take care of and what is more significant,” Mr. Lamont said.
Additional testimony was provided by architect Oliver Young on the changes to the building that were implemented as a result of previous discussion with the board in November 2014, including a decrease in signage size.
Mr. Dale offered additional comments on the similarity between the Rivergate development and the proposed Quick Chek.
Mayor Cann, expecting an explanation with regard to mixed use space on the remainder of the site, said, “It is absolutely necessary that we know what is going on with the rest of this space.”
He also said, “One of the things we spent a great deal of time on was the residential unit mix and the amount of commercial real estate. Those negotiations took up most of 2009; it was increased from 17,000 square feet of retail space to 31,500 thousand square feet of retail space. What you’re presenting to us today is something that has reduced it to 15,000 square feet (of retail space).”
Mr. Dale said he hopes the Quick Chek will act as an anchor store.
”When I say an anchor store, I think of a store that is, first of all, going to establish this site as a viable site for other retailers,” he said. “Quick Chek is a company with a great reputation; the fact that they want to be there establishes this as a very viable site.”
Engineer Derek Jordan provided answers to many circulation and parking questions on the site.
Several residents from the nearby Crystal Lake development came out to voice their opposition to the proposed site.
Resident Sean Burley, who previously submitted a petition from more than 400 homeowners in the neighboring development, said, “I have been in my home for over 11 years. I remember driving by and seeing a sign with crayons, and it seemed like a good place to raise a family so I bought into that. Now, 11 years later, going door to door and dealing with signatures and petitions to bring awareness to folks that what they are trying to do behind our community is not right. Bordentown already has 10, 11 gas stations and a 24/7 convenience store. I’m not against building, but I do think there could be better use for that land. In Bordentown, you can spin a cap and hit a gas station. It’s a waterfront. Take advantage for what it’s worth.”
John Herold, of Tandem Court, said, “It’s a wonderful community. My concern here is using a gas station as an anchor store for something that has changed so much. This was supposed to be a luxury area. Another part of that, the government of this township, your job is to build this township, to better this township, to make people say ‘I want to live in Bordentown,’ and they come down the road, and they just see gas stations. I almost want to say it’s littering our town with gas stations. Maybe we can look into some other opportunity. It just seems like a gas station might not be the right choice. What that choice is? I don’t know. That’s something I ask you guys to honestly look at and come up with a better solution that is perceived as being luxury.”
The board will hear additional testimony from Mr. Dale and Quick Chek on requested revisions at its next meeting scheduled for March 12 at 7:30 p.m. Meeting minutes and exhibits are available at the municipal building.
