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Sayreville board recommends Hercules redevelopment plan changes after railroad, wetlands block original road extension
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Summary
The Planning Board recommended amendments to the Hercules redevelopment plan to replace a proposed through-road across railroad tracks with a cul-de-sac and an alternate 'red' roadway; the board conditioned future building permits and certificates of occupancy on construction and permitting of the new road. The measure passed on a roll-call vote.
The Sayreville Planning Board voted to forward proposed amendments to the Hercules redevelopment plan (Resolution 2024-288) after hearing that the originally planned roadway extension across railroad tracks cannot be built and environmental constraints exist.
Jay, the engineer presenting the colored two-page handout, explained that the original plan called for a road to cross railroad tracks and connect Hartle Street to Journey Mill Road. "The railroad will not allow that extension to cross the tracks, and there are also environmental constraints with wetlands," Jay said. He described the revised layout: the former through extension will be a cul-de-sac and a different roadway (shown in red on the plan) will serve as the primary access for future development of Section 3.
The amendment imposes procedural conditions: before any building permits are issued for that section, the permits necessary for the red roadway must be in place, and the red roadway must be constructed before any certificates of occupancy are issued for development there. Board members asked whether zoning changes were required; the planner and counsel said the redevelopment plan's zoning remains unchanged and the amendment replaces references to the prior alignment with the red roadway.
Members asked for clarification about where the red roadway will reach Journey Mill Road; Jay said it will connect near the Sunshine Biscuit property and run adjacent to the North Jersey Energy power plant. He also said the difficulty with the original alignment stemmed from Conrail's refusal to permit the crossing at the Hartle Street location and wetlands in the area.
After discussion the board moved, seconded and conducted a roll-call vote; recorded responses were affirmative and the board recommended the amendments to the borough council. During the public comment period, resident Josh Fayer asked who to contact about roadway configuration changes; board members and staff directed him to the borough police traffic-safety division and identified Sergeant Braille as the traffic safety officer.
The board noted the redevelopment agency planner will appear at the January 15 meeting to present the Journey Mill Road redevelopment plan and additional properties proposed for inclusion in the Hercules plan.
