Decision on The Village will have permanent impact

James S. G ray

Guest Column

Few things create greater public controversy in a community than zoning issues. A few years ago I had written a letter concerning the then-proposed mall planned for the intersection of Route 33 and Millhurst Road in Manal-apan. Fortunately, because of massive citizen involvement, those zoning changes and plans championed by then-Mayor Stuart Moskovitz were stopped, at least temporarily. What he had proposed then would have done irreversible harm to the area. For whatever reason, the developer lost interest.

Now I read in the press about an even more potentially devastating mega-mall plan on the table (The Village at Manalapan). Whereas previously in 2000 the Township Committee was initially asked to zone for a 100,000-square-foot store, supermarket, office space, retail establishments, green/recreational space, etc., we’re now being asked to endorse a project at least eight times that big which will also include residential units.

The developer and supporters would classify this as a “Village Center” to give this concept a more appealing taste and allude to such features as families strolling along arm in arm on Sunday by park benches, gaslights, etc., taking in the artificial beauty and charm the facility would emanate. All of this cannot alter the fact that this is a mall in every sense of the word. Nothing more, nothing less. Look closely at Middletown and the mall controversy there, and you will get a clearer picture of what this is all about.

Then as now, as our community evolves, so do the needs for zoning in order to accommodate a changing population in terms of age, economic and personal interests. There is a very fine line between what is really right and what others desire without regard to the consequences. While most zoning changes are based on meeting real needs, at times they are motivated by power and money — those who have it and want to instill their wishes on others, and those who would like to profit from the change. Neither is a justifiable reason to implement any change. The wrong decision always leads to dangerous consequences in the long term. The entire Township Com-mittee needs to really understand this fact. Everyone needs to ask themselves why do we need a project of this magnitude, and who inside or outside of government is currently championing this concept? What special interest will be served?

Having been on both sides of the aisle, in elective office and as a resident, I can tell you firsthand any decision involving zoning must be completely thought out, and there still exists the possibility for honest mistakes to be made. It’s not an easy task, and that’s why we look to our elected leaders to do the right thing.

There will undoubtedly be a debate on this project, with charges, countercharges as to why this project is needed, who is responsible, etc., but that is part of political life. However, when the decision is made, it will have a permanent and forever lasting impact not only for Route 33, but the surrounding landscape as well. I think everyone agrees there is a need for a general shopping area to address concerns of residents living in the immediate area, but that should be a neighborhood center with grocery, service stores, restaurants, professional services, drug store and the like. There is no need to use the majority of the property to build a mega regional center, especially not 800,000 square feet.

Before any of us moved here, Route 9 had always been designated as a commercial thoroughfare, and little if anything could change the designation since that was the only true major artery in the area. Later, Route 18 followed the same path.

Now it is Route 33’s turn, but with one major exception: there is little there, and whatever decision is made is forever. The magnitude of that is something everyone should think about. What kind of legacy do our officials want to leave — satisfying our immediate needs and giving away the store as a bonus, or leaving an area for those who follow, a better place?

Make no mistake about it, if the Township Committee is encouraged and pushed to impose new zoning, the last relatively untouched area in the township will be subjected to the whims of our elected officials and paid professionals.

Any developer has the right to seek a profit, and he needs to maximize the profit, but at whose expense? If the governing body can be influenced with transparent concessions — e.g., skating rinks, gazebos and park benches — he does so because he sees a greater profit, not because he has a social conscience and is committed to doing the right thing. I can tell you from firsthand experience the pressures are intense. This is high stakes, but you have to have the courage to stand back and say just what does a zoning change really mean, and will it be a true long-term benefit to everyone?

Hopefully the majority of the Town-ship Committee will be convinced by the public to delay any vote on the project until all open forums are held — just like in 2000, when Mayor Moskovitz was rebuffed in spite of his insistence then that the project be approved immediately.

I would like to ask everyone to think long and hard about both the short- and long-term effects this massive project will have on Manalapan — environmentally, from a traffic and safety viewpoint, and overall quality of life. Do we really need a mega-mall and the problems it brings, or can we be content with a neighborhood center? We already have one major mall within 5 miles of this site. A major mall needs to draw from the entire population of Hightstown, West Windsor, Freehold, Millstone, Jackson, as well as Manalapan and Marlboro, while the other would be less intrusive.

We will only get one chance to do the right thing. Any mistake cannot be corrected and will be with us as well as those who follow. This is surely not a time to follow a personal political agenda at the public’s expense. If you agree, you should start attending township meetings and letting our elected representatives know your feelings — now.

James S. Gray of Manalapan served on the Township Committee for 15 years, including several terms as mayor.