Quakerbridge and Sloan Catastrophe
Have you ever been involved in a motor vehicle accident at or near the intersection of Sloan Avenue and Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton Township? In the last 6 years there have been over 300 reported accidents in this vicinity, according to Hamilton Township Police Department statistics. Three of these have involved fatalities. The County of Mercer has classified this intersection — “F” — which is the worst possible designation available.
The Hamilton Township Zoning board is currently entertaining an application to approve a 24 Hour WAWA convenience store with 12 Gas Pumps at this intersection. The WAWA would share the location with a newly-constructed 9,500 square feet liquor store, which is more than double the size of the liquor store that now exists on the property. The two separate business operations, as planned for the site, do not satisfy the township’s impervious surface requirements—not enough drainage for rain/flood water runoff. In addition, the proposal places the gas pumps too close to the adjacent property line. The applicant seeks variances from the applicable mandates. These regulations are in place to protect the PUBLIC.
More importantly, the added traffic generated by this proposal would swell the alreadyexisting congestion at this accident-prone intersection. Add to that, the fact a Quick Chek and Tim Hortons (coffee and doughnut store) have already been approved for this area and one can only imagine and dread the horrific traffic/safety nightmare that the addition of a 24 Hour WAWA would produce.
Granting this application would be an irreversible mistake. The overall public safety and quality of life in the adjacent neighborhoods would be severely affected by this 24 Hour entity and mandate a rejection of this proposal. Reason and responsibility dictate that the Board deny this application. I ask that the Board consider these issues before permitting a traffic, environmental and safety quagmire, which could result in injuries and fatalities.
For anyone sharing these concerns, why not let the Zoning Board know your thoughts. Come out and speak your mind at the next hearing — Tuesday November 27th at 6:30 P.M. at the Hamilton Township Municipal Building, 2100 Greenwood Avenue, Hamilton). The PUBLIC should be able to positively influence government officials to act to protect the welfare of the MANY, as opposed to, the economic benefit of a few. Thank you.
— Daniel A. Tomasulo
Granting this application would be an irreversible mistake. The overall public safety and quality of life in the adjacent neighborhoods would be severely affected by this 24 Hour entity and mandate a rejection of this proposal.