Planning Board Finds Inconsistencies With the Crossroads Town Center Ordinances

Even though Monday night's meeting was only a public work session for the Planning Board, a large number of local residents were in attendance.

The dominant topic of the evening was the three ordinances proposed by the developers for the , an overlay entitled the Crossroads Town Center (CTC).

Before the issue of the proposed CTC ordinances was brought up, Chairman John Brotherton opened the floor to the public.

The first speaker was Mike Richards, a local citizen who is a part of the www.stopmahwahmall.com website, spoke of a petition which had garnered “250 signatures in 10 days” against the proposed plan.  Steve Talercil and several others, many of whom have previously addressed the town council on this matter, spoke as well.

Board Chairman Brotherton did not want to deny the public an opinion, but pointed out that the board was only “talking about if ordinances are consistent or inconsistent with the town’s master plan.”

Township planner Joseph Burgis gave an overview and background with regards to the ongoing attempts to rezone and develop the International Crossroads.  Current zoning laws would allow for the area to be developed into 1.8 million square feet of office space; the CTC zoning ordinances would call for development of 750,000 square feet, and not all of that for retail space. 

Board member John Kelly expressed his concerns over the very short time frame that the Planning Board had been presented with which to give their recommendation: 35 days.  They were meeting only three days before that deadline was reached.

Planning Board attorney Peter J. Scandariato, Esq., confirmed that this was only following a statute set forth by the state of NJ.

Multiple members of the board made their displeasure known with regards to not having the traffic study to review.  Donigian felt that this, as well as other lacking material and the lack of time, seriously tied the hands of the board with regards to making any kind of recommendation.

The discussions went back and forth for some time, with a barrage of questions directed at Burgis and township engineer associate Michael Kelly about everything from environmental concerns to traffic to water allotments. 

Of the three ordinances presented to the planning board, Ordinance 1686, entitled “Shopping center private security requirements”, did not in fact fall under the board’s purview – and went un-discussed as such.

Board Member John Kelly concluded the debate by making a motion, which was refined by Scandariato, on Ordinance 1684 (entitled “Crossroads Town Center Overlay Zone”).  The complicated motion included that while there were some provisions inline with the township unified master plan, the overall ordinance was inconsistent with the master plan.  The planning board voted unanimously in agreement with this.

With regards to the final Ordinance, 1687, entitled the “Transportation Improvement District”, it was moved and unanimously voted on that while this was consistent with the master plan, there was still not enough information presented to the board for a complete answer.

The matter returns to the Town Council.  A public hearing will take place on Thursday, March 31.  A large turnout of local citizens is expected.