Tractor Supply Co. (TSC), which bills itself as the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, plans to break ground on its new building by the end of March.
The line of sight as seen from a vehicle stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Imlaystown Hightstown Road and Route 524. PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE SOWA The store will be located in Upper Freehold on a 5.7-acre lot near the intersection of Route 524 and Imlaystown-Hightstown Road (Route 43).
On Jan. 14, the township Planning Board extended the time for recording the minor subdivision of the property. Township Engineer Glenn Gerken explained that the Monmouth County Planning Board (MCPB) will give the final approval for the minor subdivision, and the Upper Freehold Planning Board should adopt the resolution extending the minor subdivision at its Jan. 26 meeting. Tractor Supply Co. expected to file the map the following day. “Once the map is filed, then they can close on the property,” Gerken said.
At the meeting, Gerken brought up the need for improvements at the intersection of Routes 524 and 43, which must be done by the developers of the adjacent Cox’s Corner professional park. Gerken said that the improvements, which Cox’s Corner principals Doug Walsh and Eugene Paul are required to do at the intersection, are not tied in to the TSC approval.
“However, the township and county are pushing for Walsh and Paul to get these done before TSC opens. The utility companies have been the physical holdup. I think they are almost done with their relocation now, if not very soon,” Gerken said.
Walsh said he is aware that people want the intersection improved and “done yesterday,” adding, “Unfortunately there is a little more to this than just waving the magic wand.”
Walsh said that the intersection will undergo improvements and he will bear a good part of that financial responsibility. According to Walsh, this was not a requirement imposed by the county or township but something he volunteered because it was the right thing to do.
“With the future Tractor Supply store, it is my understanding that they want to get started immediately, and I concur. I am certain that the MCPB has required changes in the intersection, including passing lanes and striping. We will work together to get it done,” he said.
However, Walsh wanted one thing to be perfectly clear — there is no way that he can make that intersection 100 percent safe.
“We all understand that Imlaystown- Hightstown Road is misaligned at the intersection, but that is not the major problem which I believe is contributing to the accidents,” Walsh said.
He noted that approaching the intersection from Route 195, there is a white house on the northeast corner that is very close to the road.
“When cars approach the intersection from the opposite side on Imlaystown- Hightstown Road, the first thing they must do is drive their vehicle partly out into the intersection in order to see what is coming from the left on Route 524,” he said.
Walsh noted that this situation is exacerbated by two large trees that are fully covered with ivy, creating two blind spots. The side of the house is only 5 feet off Imlaystown Hightstown Road and approximately 15 feet off Route 524.
“With the intersection improved, these trees remain and continue as a safety hazard,” he said. “Sometimes it is the little things in life that make the biggest impact. Removing those trees could save someone’s life tomorrow.”