JACKSON — An application for the construction of a shopping center has drawn the ire of nearby homeowners.
At 7:30 p.m. May 18 in Town Hall, the Planning Board is expected to continue hearing the application for Chandler Plaza.
The applicant is proposing to build 14 stores and a restaurant on a 4.4-acre tract near Hyson and Chandler roads.
Resident Laurie DeLong said neighbors who live near the site were surprised to learn that the parcel was the subject of a development application.
She said residents believed the property was zoned residential.
“The major issue was that none of us [residents] seemed to be aware of the zoning change,” DeLong said.
Jackson Zoning Officer Jeff Purpuro said the 4.4-acre property in question was rezoned from residential to neighborhood commercial when municipal officials amended the master plan in 2009.
The zoning on more than 6,000 acres in Jackson was accomplished during the master plan process.
DeLong said the 4.4-acre triangular property stands out as the only nonresidential parcel in the area. She said she and her neighbors do not believe there is a need for a new shopping center in the immediate area.
“There are so many shopping centers within 3 miles of this particular space that have vacancies,” DeLong said. “We do not want a shopping center across the street from our home.”
She said residents are concerned about a potential negative impact on their property values that could result from additional traffic and noise associated with the new commercial center.
“The reason most of us moved to Jackson was to move away from this type of situation,” DeLong said. “We understand growth, but not to the extent they want it.”