Does Hackettstown Really Need Another Gas Station?

January 18, 2017 - Hackettstown, NJ - At last night’s zoning board meeting, it was revealed that the vacant lot on the corner of Mountain Avenue and Bells Lane is being considered for development of commercial property. The prospect of a Quick Check gas station adjacent to single-family homes on Bells Lane, Washington Street and Mountain Avenue is unsettling.

Understanding that the town administration needs to run through the process, the Mayor and Town Council still has the opportunity to reject this proposal. Among the obvious questions about this proposal, we have to ask, do we really need another Gas Station and/or another QuickCheck in Hackettstown? With two gas stations within 100 yards at the 5 corners intersection and another one less than a quarter mile in the other direction on Mountain Avenue, the area is certainly in no need of one.

Most concerning is the direct impact to the single family homes in an established neighborhood. This project is in direct proximity and will affect the lives of the people in the neighborhood in a negative way. Between additional bright lights, inevitable garbage, noise pollution and the smells of gasoline, this project would likely increase traffic incidents at an already dangerous intersection. The enormity of the impact to the adjacent area will certainly be felt in the home values to our neighbors who have invested their lives in Hackettstown. Additionally, the proposed home demolitions would affect some of the few affordable homes for struggling families in town. To turn our backs on them for the benefit of a huge corporation would be a tragic lapse in judgement.

Progress and development are certainly considerations, but there are plenty of other suitable locations in or near, already appropriately zoned for the use, that would bring the jobs that the project purports to add. Areas that immediately come to mind? For starters further down Mountain Avenue, Route 57 near Riverside Diner, but also outside of Hackettstown in Washington Township, Route 46 Eastbound at Hearthstone Road. With so many other available locations and the lack of necessity for the business model, there is no good reason to support this development.

Perhaps the leaders of Hackettstown could look for a project that would be beneficial to the townspeople, not big corporate entities. Look beyond the flashy presentation to see if there is a positive impact that could be attained for our town.

Hackettstown should consider purchasing the property and use it as open space instead. Excluding the small gazebo park at the corner of Main Street and Moore Street, there is no open space in the downtown area. A proper park and memorial garden adjacent to the Union Cemetery would be a much more appropriate use.

The town, in conjunction with the Hackettstown Business Improvement District, Mars North America, Hackettstown Medical Center, and Centenary University could certainly work together to either fund or obtain grants from the State and Federal government for such a project.

Concerned citizens should plan to attend the next Planning Board Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 21st - 7:30 PM at Town Hall.

Our Mayor and Town Council should give the presented proposal very thoughtful consideration and work towards enhancing our town instead of bowing, yet again, to big businesses.