By karl vilacoba
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — Where an untrained eye might see a diagram of three buildings, some members of the Planning Board saw what they described as a dangerous shortcut that could be used to avoid an existing traffic light at the busy intersection of Ryan Road and Route 79.
Therefore, representatives of an applicant seeking to build a new commercial center on that corner decided to rework a site plan that some board members said resembled "a maze" and "an amusement park."
The applicant, Winstanley, is seeking to build three buildings that would house a bank, a CVS pharmacy and five or six unknown retail occupants, according to engineer Stephen Atkins. An existing light industrial building on the property will be removed if the application is approved. A pond and some existing woods would act as a buffer between the project and neighboring residential developments.
The plan as initially presented called for entrances directly linking Ryan Road and Route 79 by a long road that would loop behind the stores. The issue of the road came up at an earlier hearing for the application, but was not removed from the design.
Planning Board Traffic Engineer Michael Chasin said he met with the applicant’s representatives and worked on a plan to install stop signs and one-way street rules on that road.
However, board members expressed their doubts on the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
"Are you going to put a toll bridge there to stop people from going through?" asked board Chairman Mario Giudice. "Gentlemen, to me, I don’t see this as a solution to the issue that the board put forth here."
"I’ve heard enough," said Township Councilman James Mione, who sits on the board. "This is not exactly what we’re looking for."
Some board members wondered if the design was too crowded for the property.
Board Vice Chairman Steven Gustman suggested the possibility of removing one of the buildings from the plan.
"Maybe the nature of what’s being attempted here is just too intense for the intersection," said Mayor Matthew Scannapieco, who sits on the board.
Giudice at one point told the applicant’s representatives that Dennis Collins, the board’s attorney, advised that they could continue if they wanted. But after a few more minutes of the presentation, the applicant requested a continuation to Oct. 16 so that time could be spent re-examining new ways to alter the design of the proposed commercial development.