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Resident raises parking and environmental concerns as Woodbridge officials confirm approvals but say EPA/DEP controls park reopening
Summary
A resident asked whether nearby parking would accommodate a tiki bar expected to open around July 3 and raised questions about delays at a contaminated park site; town officials said building approvals are in place but the site remains under EPA/DEP cleanup review and operations are run by the Woodbridge Arts Alliance.
A resident identified as John told the Woodbridge Town Council on July 2 that neighbors are excited about a tiki bar opening but worried that parking and traffic could overwhelm the adjacent neighborhood and that some residents live nearby.
"They're kind of concerned, with the parking lot would be big enough to accommodate, the traffic," John said, adding that he believed the mayor's newsletter referenced a capacity of more than 250 people.
Council leaders and administration representatives responded that approvals for the building are in place. An administration representative said the town owns the land and structure but does not run the venue; operational details such as hours are handled by the Woodbridge Arts Alliance.
"We own the land. We own the structure. We have all the approvals necessary," the administration representative said. "That's why it's taken so long to get the cleanup approved so the park can open."
The administration representative described the KZ park/site cleanup as a "very complex issue" requiring review by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because hazardous chemicals were found on the site. The representative said the town cannot speed up those external reviews.
The council record does not show any immediate operational changes or commitments to expand parking; no formal direction to staff was recorded during the meeting. The council closed the public-comment period and proceeded with its agenda.
