Dear Community Friends,
We’ve had some recent inquiries regarding a couple of properties in the township, and I want to bring you up-to-speed and also clear-up any misinformation that is potentially circulating around the township by way of social media or otherwise.
The project management team for the proposed new Super WaWa at 455 Bridgeton Pk. (Rt. 45 and Mt. Royal Road) is currently working with the Gloucester County Planning Division in an effort to obtain their approval, as well as with the NJDOT (New Jersey Department of Transportation) regarding their access permit approval. Once these approvals are received, they will post bonds and be able to move forward. According to our land use coordinator, we do not have an anticipated time frame for this project to begin, as NJDOT access permits are apparently difficult to obtain. To the best of my knowledge, there are no holdups for this project at the township level.
Mantua Boulevard (Block 172, Lot 6.07 and Lot 7.02 which is located directly behind Car Effex, Incutate and Proof Productions, etc. in this industrial complex). This property is zoned li which is defined as light industrial. The permitted uses in li zoning are further delineated as the following: business, professional and governmental services, data processing and information processing, research and engineering, assembly and light manufacturing, wholesale distribution centers and warehouses, commercial greenhouse, nursery and wholesale florist, nursing or convalescent home, recreation, vehicle repair garages.
In October 2022, the Land Use Board sub-committee saw an application from CA Ventures for Block 172, Lots 6.07 and 7.02.
The original proposal involved a distribution warehouse and a use variance would have been required for building height. The sub-committee was sensitive to the neighbors directly adjacent to this property, and asked that any proposed warehouses comply with height in zone and not request any variances (by-right of application). In addition, it was requested that the project be shifted as far away from residential properties as possible. This particular project never materialized.
We have received no formal applications to-date for Mantua Boulevard (Block 172, Lot 6.07 and/or Lot 7.02. Any information being disseminated regarding the parcel(s) of land is presumably being done by a property marketing company for the property owner, and not by the township.
I’ve cited the uses for li for this specific Mantua Boulevard location. An interested party meeting this zoning criteria certainly has the legal ability to file an application for any of its designated uses, and this would include warehouses, etc. Again, the township is not in a position to promote this property location for any particular type of usage. The township has no vested interest in this property location, as it is privately owned in its entirety.
As required by law, any application would require notice to be given to all property owners within 200 feet of the entire subject parcel(s).
On Saturday morning, May 4, Committeewoman Eileen Lukens and I attended the first ever “Pups in the Park” event at Chestnut Branch Park.
This event was significant for our community, as we were finally able to celebrate our beautiful park becoming dog friendly. Fortunately, the weather held-off on a dreary and damp day, and we had a very nice turn-out for the dog parade and other celebratory activities.
Our park is now equipped with several signs and clean-up stations, and the transition to become dog friendly has gone quite smoothly over the past couple of months. It has been a positive experience to date. We continue to ask for cooperation in keeping dogs on leashes at all times, and for dog owners to clean-up after their pets when visiting our facility.
I’d like to thank our recreation committee for organizing this event, and thank all those who participated in commemorating this milestone for our furry family members of Mantua.
Upcoming Township Meetings and Events:
- The Fire District Meeting is Thursday, May 16 at 7 p.m.
We want to wish all the incredibly special mothers throughout our community a very Happy Mother’s Day.
On behalf of Deputy Mayor Pete Scirrotto, myself and the entire Township Committee – we look forward to continuing our service with honesty, integrity and trustful leadership.
Respectfully,
Mayor Robert T. Zimmerman, MAS
