Planning Commission Denies Colonial Nissan Rezoning Request

The denied 's request to rezone two residential parcels to a commercial zone in order to increase its parking lot back toward Dolton Road and Village Drive.

Thursday evening, residents of Dolton Road and Village Drive filled the 's auditorium to voice their opposition to the dealership extending its parking lot, despite plans for a fence and shrub barrier.

Colonial Nissan's counsel, Charles Marte, told the board that changing the zoning from residential to commercial wouldn't have a negative impact on the neighborhood, however residents disagreed.

"My property value will go down, so that he can make a few more dollars," Village Drive resident Tom Scmileskr said.

"I moved into a residential neighborhood because I want to live in a residential neighborhood, not because I wanted to live next to a car lot," he said.

Dolton Road resident Tom Tacconelli echoed Scmileskr's statements.

"This plan by colonial destroys property value and neighborhoods. We want two more families to be afforded the opportunity to live in our community," Tacconelli stated.

"We don’t want this. Our voices mean something, we vote. What we say has more weight than what you want," Dolton Road resident Lisa DeSimone said to the Colonial Nissan representatives at the meeting.

Marte told the Planning Commission the change of zoning would give the dealership securing parking space it "desperately" needs for new and used cars. The proposed lot would not have had street access on Dolton Road or Village Drive.

"Colonial dealerships are currently one of the largest taxpayers," Marte told the board, noting that if the zoning is changed the township would see an increase in tax revenue from Colonial.

However, the Planning Commission agreed with the residents and denied the rezoning request.