BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The Zoning Board approved a new gas station and convenience store on the corner of Route 130 and Stults Road after the applicant, Quik Check Foods, agreed to improve its section of the highway and remove access to tractor-trailers.
At the board’s March 15 meeting, the applicant convinced the board to allow the construction of a 5,584-square-foot Quik Check convenience store with an accompanying gas station. The property itself is 4.76 acres, though much of it will remain undeveloped. The board and the applicant agreed that trees would be planted on the unused portion, a condition that was placed on the property itself, irrespective of its owner.
“My concern is … it could be another owner in the future, and I want it to run with the land,” said board Chairman Martin Hammer.
The final site plan included 51 parking spaces, though two, which were reserved for tractor-trailers, were removed once it was agreed that such vehicles would not be allowed on the property because they would get in the way of people trying to access the store.
The improvements to Route 130 meanwhile will include a closing off of the nearby median and an increase in the left-turn lane. The area where the gas station and convenience store will be built is considered accident prone as people try to simply drive across the road to make turns. Quik Check, however, still needs to clear the road work with the state Department of Transportation, leaving its fate, ultimately, in that agency’s hands. Still, the prospect of getting that part of the road improved was a motivating factor for many board members.
“It will improve the area even more, and fixing the 130 Intersection is key. … Anytime we can fix a public problem with private funds, I think we’ve done a good job,” said Hammer.
“If you know this area at all, a lot of major accidents happen there,” added board member Barry Nathanson.
The truck ban on the site also contributed to the board unanimously approving the plan. The fact that it will not service trucks will be displayed on a sign.
“There are several gas stations I go to with convenience stores … and it’s almost painful to be on the site [because of the tractor-trailers],” said Nathanson.
According to Hammer, the application was the first of a new use that the board approved “some time ago.” The property is currently zoned for industrial development.