Branchburg OKs controversial warehouse: 'Breaks my heart what has happened to this town'
BRANCHBURG – Despite an hour of objections from residents, the Planning Board has unanimously approved a proposal to build almost 300,000 square feet of warehouse space, in three buildings on a 43-acre property in the Evans Way Redevelopment Area on Old York Road between Route 202 and Stony Brook Road.
All 15 residents who spoke out against the proposal by S/K Stoney Brook Associates said it would negatively affect the quality of their lives with increased traffic, noise and air pollution.
“If I wanted to move to a truck depot, I would have moved to Carteret,” said resident Joseph Chiarell.
But the Planning Board’s hands had been tied by an out-of-court settlement between the township and the developer.
The proposal conforms with the redevelopment plan adopted by the Township Committee and endorsed by the Planning Board as a result of Branchburg's settlement of a lawsuit brought by the developer.
The redevelopment plan, which defines the zoning regulations for the property, was adopted unanimously by the Township Committee last year after a public hearing at which no residents spoke.
Planning Board members expressed empathy with the residents.
“My heart is broken,” said Township Committeewoman Anna Columbus who also sits on the Planning Board.
Mayor David Owens, who also sits on the Planning Board, said that sometimes he is torn “between what your heart tells you to do” and what you must do because of rules and regulations.
Owens thanked the residents for their input during the hearings on the proposal, saying that it led to the developer making several changes to lessen the impact of the construction.
More: Developer fighting Branchburg's 'anti-warehousing action' in court
More: Branchburg restricts standalone warehouse development
Board member Laurel Truppi, who has lived in the township for more than four decades, said she has seen a lot of changes, “a lot of them not good.”
“It breaks my heart what has happened to this town,” she said, adding that the township is under pressure from developers and the state over construction of warehouses and affordable housing.
Glenn Pantel, attorney for the developer, told the board that the proposal is identical to the redevelopment plan approved by the Township Committee which “looked all the factors.”
“I realize this is not a popularity contest,” Pantel said, adding that the developer agreed with many of the residents’ suggestions.
But residents were not convinced; some argued that they did not believe the testimony of experts for either the developer or the township.
Other said the project would change the character of the community.
Residents of the neighboring Society Hill community said the warehouses would disrupt their lives and lower their property values.
“I fear Society Hill becoming a ghost town,” said resident Tara Murphy.
Others said approval of the project should have been delayed until the state Department of Transportation completes a study of the Old York Road and Route 202 intersection.
“This project is still wrong,” said resident Linda Mustillo.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Branchburg NJ approves controversial warehouse plan
