The Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Inc., expresses grave concern about the proposal of the North Brunswick mayor and Township Council to change the zoning of the property on Route 1 between Milltown Road and DeVry from office/research to commercial to construct a shopping center.
Our concern is the effects which this proposed development would have on the surrounding area in environmental degradation, loss of quality of life and economic costs to North Brunswick Township and the Borough of Milltown. We do not believe that more shopping centers are warranted in North Brunswick, and we recommend that the township fully develop its existing commercial areas and provide pedestrian and bicycle access.
As the state Department of Transportation will rebuild the junction of Route 1-Route 130 between 2002 and 2005, it would be very unwise to add more construction during that period. Adding this shopping center now would cause more flooding and erosion in Sucker Brook, more water pollution in Lawrence Brook (a drinking water supply) and increased air pollution. There would also be loss of property value for residents of North Brunswick and Milltown and extra congestion on Route 1 and on Main Street, Milltown.
The economic benefits to North Brunswick are likely to be much less than the developer claims, and in the long term these may become zero. There are many external costs caused by such a development. Growing a town larger does not lower the taxes per household; it causes taxes to be higher.
The North Brunswick Township Council will consider this issue again on Aug. 7. We urge residents to attend and voice their views.
Alan S. Godber
President
Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Inc.
Milltown