Warehouses Abound in the New Year

Warehouses Abound in the New Year

2006 is bringing both hope and woe to the EVA's goals of rural preservation.

Tonight, the South Brunswick Planning Board will be hearing an application for three more warehouses on Davidson Mill Road. These will take up the remaining farmland east of the NJ Turnpike. While we know the land has been zoned for this kind of development, we must voice a protest in light of the problems this type of building has caused in the past.

First, of course, is the truck traffic warehouses have brought to local roads. Despite repeated promises and claims by developers that warehouse trucks will not use roads through residential areas, those of us who live here know another story. Lost trucks and truckers looking for shortcuts and the "paths of least resistance" drive down Deans-Rhode Hall Road and Davidson Mill Road twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. With the improvements of Route 522 still a "twinkle in the Township's eye" our roads are overburdened instead. What were once quiet country roads have become major traffic thoroughfares.

EVA members have put in a plea for relief, hoping that new signs, traffic calming devices, and an increased police presence might ease some of these concerns. The hope here lies in the fact that Township officials are listening to our complaints and responding.

Township officials are also beginning to respond to our concerns regarding the Green Acres flooding. The new warehouses must raise concern that even more water will be draining into the park. We are hopeful that the Township will take the lead on a thorough study of this problem and find a way to protect the farms and woodlands from further flooding and remediate the current flooding.

Until the major concerns of the EVA are addressed, we would like to see a moritorium on development in the area. If warehouses are to be built, they need to be built with as little impact as possible on the natural and human environment of our rural area.

More hopes rise in our efforts to preserve the VanDyke/Pulda farm. The State of New Jersey, Middlesex County, and South Brunswick Township are joining to work out details to protect the farm from development. Be it for Open Space, Farmland Preservation, or as a perfect addition to the adjacent State Park, this historical gem now has a chance to survive the building boom.

EVA sincerely hopes 2006 will bring good news on all fronts. Thanks to all who are taking the time to help us reach our goals.