Your Turn

Karli Choi
Guest Column
BJ’s warehouse will not be good for Marlboro

Can the intersection of Route 9 and Route 520 in Marlboro handle any more traffic? BJ’s Wholesale Club has presented a plan to the town for this busy intersection. Between Texas and Union Hill roads, commercial development continues to be built along Route 9. Marlboro needs ratables, but at what cost?

Should we ignore the traffic nightmares this plan, which includes double left turns directly off Route 9, both northbound and southbound, onto Route 520? Will BJ’s or Planning Board members take responsibility for traffic injuries/truck accidents resulting from this plan? This plan is unsafe and would only add to congestion in this area.

The warehouse store is simply too large for the site. In order to accommodate a 115,386-square-foot structure, the size of parking spaces were reduced, while family vehicles have grown in size. Does that make sense?

Instead of filing a new application, the applicant is riding on a previous plan, which was approved over 12 years ago in 1991, trying to pass this off as an amendment. The plans are very much different. The conditions in Marlboro today are very much different. The 1991 approved plan was titled The Mall at Marlboro, consisting of three structures of retail shops.

At the time, the adjoining property was zoned residential without any existing homes. So why was a variance granted to reduce the 200-foot buffer required between commercial and residential, allowing only 10 feet?

The applicants and some township officials have tried to convince us of how this BJ’s plan is far superior to the plan approved in 1991. Truth is both plans stink.

Both are destructive to the quality of life in Marlboro.

By setting a special meeting date of Nov. 6, giving the public minimal notice, knowing families have made plans for vacations when New Jersey schools are not in session, BJ’s is hoping the public will not show up to oppose this plan.

The public has the right to speak and will eventually be recognized. This plan will get the recognition it deserves. It’s time for the public to take a closer look and ensure that the Planning Board takes responsible action.

Karli Choi is a resident of Marlboro.