Residents challenge proposed fueling station at 1092 Elk Road; board delays decision until July 16

The Elk Township Combined Planning & Zoning Board on June 18 continued its review of a Preliminary Major Site Plan from Jai & Jas Real Estate, LLC for a fueling station at 1092 Elk Road after extensive public comment about traffic, pollution, tree removal and safety.

The hearing drew scores of residents who said the proposal—sited near wetlands and neighborhood roads—would harm the township’s rural character, depress local property values and threaten private wells. "The proposed Fueling Station would lower property values," said Chris Creta, a nearby resident, who also raised concerns about noise, air and ground pollution and the plan’s proposed 24/7 hours.

Why it matters: The project would add commercial fueling and truck parking adjacent to residential streets and a lake that speakers said supports recreation and property values. Residents and local stakeholders urged the board to require a more robust traffic study (including summer and shore traffic and school-bus movements) and a failure-mode environmental analysis for underground storage tanks.

Residents cited several specific worries during the public portion: potential contamination of private wells; increased truck traffic on roads not built for heavy use; night-time noise and lighting; and crime associated with truck stops. "This Fueling Station will take trucks off of Rt. 55 onto the roads that are not built for that capacity," said Lori Graves, adding that she opposed the project as inconsistent with the township’s rural character.

Applicant and board professionals described regulatory safeguards and limits. Applicant’s attorney David DeClement told the board, "This is not a Truck Stop, it is a Fueling Station," and applicant civil engineer Jim Bash said the plans include tree replacement, wetlands avoidance and DEP permitting as required. Board Engineer Steve Bach noted the applicant agreed to agricultural buffers and that DEP licensing and other outside-agency approvals would be conditions of any final approval.

The board and applicant provided technical details about containment: engineers said the proposal includes three 20,000-gallon gasoline tanks and two 20,000-gallon diesel tanks with double-wall construction, interstitial monitoring and secondary containment designed to alarm and shut off pumps if a leak is detected. "If the secondary containment fails, then the fuel will go into the soil and eventually into the aquifer if it is not remediated," Jim Bash said during the hearing.

What the board did: After hearing public comment and the professionals’ testimony, the board did not make a final decision. Mr. Hughes moved to adjourn consideration of the application until July 16, 2025; the motion carried with all members in favor. The applicant agreed to waive the 120-day decision deadline to July 16 to allow time for follow-up information and deliberation.

Next steps: The application remains in Preliminary Site Plan review. The board’s review will consider the applicant’s revised materials, the board professionals’ May 14, 2025 review letter and any conditions related to NJDEP permits, Gloucester County approvals, and the Gloucester County Fire Official reviews that are noted in the record as prerequisites to final approval.

At the meeting’s close the board emphasized its role as a volunteer, appointed body evaluating whether the application meets municipal land-use standards and checklist requirements rather than a forum that can preempt state licensing processes.