Somerville residents up in arms over gun shop opening near school
SOMERVILLE – There is nothing that the borough can do to stop a gun shop from opening at the corner of Gaston Avenue and William Street, about a quarter mile from Van Derveer School.
High Caliber Ordinance wants to open in the commercial building at the intersection between Primo Pizza and Hairitage Hair Lounge at the site of a former gas station and bar.
However, the prospect of a shop selling guns and ammunition so close to the borough's only elementary school has alarmed some Somerville residents who brought concerns about safety, property values and community impact to the Borough Council on Tuesday.
"I was shocked to learn that we had zoning laws that allowed firearms stores so close to our elementary school," said resident Caroline Flamos.
Flamos said that Piscataway has been "more pro-active" in its zoning and does not allow a gun shop within a mile of a school.
"We need to look at our zoning laws," she said.
Flamos also said she was concerned about the impact the shop will have on residential values in the neighborhood.
"Our children do not need to be exposed or desensitized to weapons and ammunition simply by walking home from school," said resident Kate Ambrose.
A teacher, Ambrose added that "opening a gun shop does not reflect the values of our community and town."
The gun shop "gives our town not a look I think we should have," said resident Megan Andrews.
Before hearing the residents' concerns about the shop, Mayor Brian Gallagher said the borough cannot stop the opening because a "sporting goods" store, under which the shop is classified, is allowed in the zone.
"We can't change that now," he said.
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Gallagher reiterated the goal he expressed in his State of the Borough Address on New Year's Day for the Borough Council and Planning Board to undertake a comprehensive review of zoning, so it is more "appropriate."
As long as the gun shop follows Somerville's ordinances and complies with state and federal laws, it can open, Gallagher said.
If the borough took any action, he said, it would "create a very bad precedent" and lead to litigation "in which we would have no success."
Gallagher also noted that there is a liquor store closer to the school, "not the best place for a liquor store."
There is also restaurant with a liquor license diagonally across the intersection from the gun shop location.
The mayor also noted that the Borough Council has endorsed a proposal for a marijuana store further north on Gaston Avenue at Route 22 where the zone allows it
"I'm not a big fan, but that's the law," the mayor said.
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 today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerville NJ residents up in arms over gun shop opening near school
