Township Resident Wants to Create Private Road

Members of the Washington Township Planning Board heard preliminary plans Wednesday for a subdivision of two properties on Linwood Avenue and the creation of a private road. They said they wanted to get some additional information and have the determine how emergency vehicles could maneuver.

Paul Imbarrato presented his preliminary plan for the properties on Linwood Avenue, explaining that he wants to subdivide two properties into three and create a private driveway to access the homes. He said the lots would each be a half acre and the private driveway would be the "complete responsibility of the homeowners." He plans to continue to reside in one of the homes.

Planning Board member Jaqueline Do said she opposed the idea of a private roadway and worried that fire trucks would not be able to properly maneuver.

"I'm not in favor of a private road," Do said, adding the township has had problems with other private driveways. "I'm not in favor of not knowing whether a fire truck can turn and exit this."

While Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said she's "not opposed to a private driveway per se," she did want the fire department to weigh in on the concept.

Planning Board member Lenord Sabino asked Imbarrato if he had spoken with his neighbors about the proposal. Imbarrato said he had talked to five of the 13 surrounding homeowners and their initial response was "receptive."

Sabino also asked if there was a timeline and Imbarrato said he would like the entire project completed by the end of 2013.

Imbarrato doesn't yet have a formal application before the Planning Board and said he was looking for a sense from board members if they thought the plan was feasible.

Councilman Steve Cascio said he was "going to keep an open mind" about the project and if it conformed to the size of other lots in town he would be open to it.

Board members said they would pass the information on to fire department personnel so they could weigh in as well. Imbarrato said he would talk to the county Planning Board, United Water and PSE&G about potential issues, discuss the plans with the rest of his neighbors and return before the Planning Board on an informal basis to report his findings.

In the interim, Planning Board Chairman Gus Calamari encouraged board members to visit the properties to get a better idea of what would be constructed.

The next Planning Board meeting is scheduled for July 27.