QuickChek Will Replace Historic Lacey Buildings

LACEY, NJ — The Lacey Township Zoning Board of Adjustment voted to approve a new QuickChek gas station and convenience store at 101 N. Main St., currently occupied by the Worden House and the former Community Center.

These buildings have been the topic of controversy, as some residents believed them to be important for the township's history. Some believed that selling the community center was a violation of its original purpose. Philanthropist Charles A. Smith had left the property to the township in his will 100 years ago for the express purpose of building a community center. Read more: Residents Hope To Save Historic Building In Lacey

The property was sold last year in a bid that was voided due to a "clerical error." However, it was then re-listed and sold on May 10, records show.

Now, lifelong Ocean County resident Michael DeGeorge plans to turn that property into a QuickChek. At the zoning board meeting where this was approved, it was shared that the county declined to take ownership of the historic buildings, which developers say have burst pipes and are filled with black mold.

The QuickChek will have a 5,670 square foot building placed centrally on the lot and a fueling canopy with eight stations. Throughout the course of the just over three hour meeting, some concessions were made, including reducing two entrances and exits on Jones Road to just one and reducing two signs to one, keeping a "welcome to Lacey" sign.

But many unhappy neighbors came out to speak against the proposal, particularly emphasizing safety and traffic concerns.

"I believe you're trying to put 20 pounds of horse manure in a 10 pound bag," resident Steve Barhle said.

The developer's traffic engineer testified that 75 percent of traffic that will visit QuickChek is already on the road today. That is, most of the people who will visit QuickChek are drivers who happen to pass by the store and decide to stop in. Still, the intersection of Route 9 and Lacey Road is a congested one, and residents worried it would worsen conditions on Jones Road.

"It's going to cause all kinds of chaos," said neighbor Justin Smith.

Zoning Board Vice Chairman Scott Tirella noted that it was a "difficult decision" for the board, but the property owner has the right to build on his own property. If not for the two conditions not met (number of parking spots and landscape buffer) the proposal would be permitted and would have been seeking a site plan approval at the Planning Board.

Board member Edward Scanlon said they could vote no, but then they would end up in court and spend thousands of taxpayer dollars.

"You could do a lot worse," board member Craig Tomalo said. "There's a lot better, but a lot worse."