Residents and Shimang mayor urge Pinelands Commission to block proposed roundabout in Shimon/Shimang Township

Dozens of residents and Shimang Township officials pressed the Pinelands Commission on May 8 to reject a Burlington County proposal to build a traffic circle (roundabout) at a rural intersection in the Pinelands.

At a public-comment segment devoted to four public development projects, multiple speakers told commissioners the intersection no longer carries the traffic volumes that once existed and that the project would harm property values, farm operations and the Pinelands' environment. "This project is unnecessary, fiscally irresponsible, environmentally damaging, and contrary to the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Shimang residents," Mike Droce, who identified himself as mayor of Shimang Township, told the Commission during a phone-in comment.

In-person speakers cited the 2003 closure of Atco Raceway as reducing traffic at the site and criticized the county's decision-making and the lack of a recent traffic study. "Putting this circle is going to totally kill the value of my home," said Judy Shahinian, a homeowner who said the proposal would move her driveway and bring headlights and lights close to her bedroom. Other residents urged alternatives such as a four-way stop, flashing or conventional traffic signals, rumble strips or larger stop signs before investing in an estimated multi-million-dollar roundabout.

Environmental concerns were repeated in public comments. One speaker said the added impervious surface and associated paving would worsen stormwater runoff and alter the character of a wooded Pinelands intersection. Several commenters also asked the Commission to consider whether large farm equipment can safely navigate a roundabout and whether property takings and compensation have been adequately addressed.

A township administrator, Lisa Jordan, said municipal representatives were not given advanced notice to prepare technical testimony and requested either a supplemental public-comment opportunity with professionals present or additional review time. Lester Gat, a multi-generation local resident, and other speakers called for an updated traffic study and a reassessment of the projectbefore county funds are spent.

Commission staff reiterated that the Commission's regulatory role does not extend to designing intersections: it evaluates environmental standards such as wetlands, endangered species and groundwater protections. Staff said they will respond to public comments in the staff reports that typically accompany public development applications and that those reports are usually considered at the next Commission meeting.

The Commission did not take a formal vote on the roundabout during the May 8 meeting. Several commissioners expressed concern and asked staff to seek updated technical information; members suggested requesting an updated traffic study and ensuring routing, drainage and farm-access issues are addressed in the record. Public comment on this application is now part of the application file and staff response.