MARLBORO – An application that is proposing the construction of a Wawa convenience store and gas station and a medical office building is scheduled to be heard by the Marlboro Zoning Board of Adjustment on Dec. 11.
The applicant, Marlboro North Main, LLC, is represented by attorney Jason R. Tuvel.
The application deals with three lots that combine to form a 12.3-acre parcel east of Route 79 and south of Route 520. The lots are in a C-2 commercial zone. Two lots each contain a home with walkways, a patio and a detached garage. The third lot contains a church/house of worship, a rectory/parish hall building, and a parking area.
Marlboro North Main is seeking a use variance from the zoning board that would permit the removal of all the existing site improvements on the first two lots.
The applicant is seeking approval to consolidate the three lots to construct a two-story medical office building (10,092 square feet) with parking for 104 vehicles, and a Wawa convenience store (5,585 square feet) with gasoline fuel service, and 57 parking spaces.
Access is proposed by a full-movement driveway on Route 520 that will also serve the church property.
Information from the zoning board states that “while a personal service use, including a medical office, is a permitted use within a C-2 zone district and a motor vehicle station is a permitted conditional use, the mixed use of the property to contain two principal uses is not permitted; thereby requiring (a) use variance.”
The application was initially scheduled for a hearing before the board on Aug. 14, but it was not heard that evening and was carried to Oct. 23. Tuvel and engineer Michael Gallagher of Maser Consulting appeared before the board on Oct. 23.
Before Gallagher began to present his testimony regarding the application, board members noted concerns that had been raised by Marlboro’s engineer and planner, Laura Neumann.
Neumann had indicated she was concerned with the site’s proposed storm water management plan and recommended that changes be made to that aspect of the application.
Gallagher said the storm water management plan may not have to be changed, adding, “We have to do more geotechnical testing to confirm we have adequate infiltration. If we do, then no changes would have to be made.”
The board’s chairman, Michael Shapiro, said he would be more comfortable carrying the application to another date because a new storm water management plan, if one is needed, might affect the rest of the site plan in such a way that any testimony presented that evening (Oct. 23) could be moot.
Following a brief discussion among zoning board members and the applicant’s representatives, the Wawa application was carried to the board’s Dec. 11 meeting at Town Hall.