Background:
My hometown, West Windsor, NJ, has a 667-acre plot of land that houses open, unused farmland, and now unused buildings. The initial proposal for a mixed-use development, which included the construction of around 2,000 housing units was immediately denied by our township. Due to concerns of additional strain on the already overcrowded schools, the township suggested the construction of a large warehouse park. However, many residents have opposed these plans, protesting and putting up signs to voice their concerns. Despite the concerns, the township planning board voted 6-2 in favor of zoning that land for the warehouse park.
Impacts:
Due to the warehouse park, traffic engineers estimate a 62% increase in traffic along adjacent roads. To combat the traffic congestion, the township proposed adding a lane to the surrounding roads, which will destroy front lawns, open green space, and higher traffic volumes that make it unsafe to be out on the streets. One of these roads provides direct access to an elementary school, Maurice Hawk, and a high school, High School South, which raises concerns about children’s safety.
Furthermore, portions of the project are about to be developed on floodplains and wetlands. The current analysis for flood risk in the area uses standards from 1899-1999. Rising water levels and odd precipitation patterns in recent decades have not been accounted for when approving the project.
