Sayreville agency clears developer and JCP&L to seek planning‑board review for Riverton substation and transmission upgrades

Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Agency commissioners on July 16 authorized the Riverton developer and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) to file planning‑board applications for an electrical substation and for replacement of existing transmission structures along the redevelopment corridor.

Seaville Seaport Associates’ representative Jennifer Phillips Smith told the agency the parcel C substation is needed to bring more electricity to the Riverton site as the project builds out. Mark Feta, the developer’s project lead, said the full Riverton build‑out will require “in excess of 30 megawatts of power” and that the team has contracted foundation work so JCP&L or FirstEnergy can install transformers when equipment arrives. “That’s why we’re here — we’ve awarded that contract and want to get approval so we can build the pilings,” Feta said.

JCP&L counsel Benjamin Nadal and Dynamic Engineering civil engineer Matthew Bursch described the utility’s plan to replace 23 existing wood poles with 23 steel monopoles on concrete piers along the existing corridor and to install a new 115‑kV line to connect to the Victory substation. Bursch said the new monopoles will range approximately 91.6 to 122.6 feet in overall height including foundations and will be placed within JCP&L easements; most pole locations follow the existing alignment and the project includes only minor easement expansions where required.

Commissioners asked for visual examples and whether the line could be put underground. Engineers said the taller steel monopoles are required to carry a 115‑kV conductor and meet National Electrical Safety Code clearances, and that the conductor is not practicable to place underground for this scope. “It’ll follow the same line; it’s just steel rather than wood,” the engineer said, adding the result will be “cleaner” than typical distribution clutter.

Board members also raised a concern that proposed pole locations could interfere with a planned Main Street Bypass. Commissioners insisted on a recordable protection for that future roadway: counsel for JCP&L agreed to the condition on the record, and the developer’s counsel said satisfactory language could be included in the easement documents and recorded in title so the utility and developer would not be able to object later.

After the presentations and discussion, the agency introduced two resolutions authorizing (a) JCP&L to proceed to the planning board for the pole replacement and 115‑kV upgrade and (b) Seaville Seaport Associates to apply to the planning board for an electrical substation and gateway‑services site‑plan amendments. Both resolutions were transmitted to the planning board by roll call vote. The agency’s action permits applicants to pursue planning‑board review but does not constitute final design approval by the agency.

The developer also updated the board on Bass Pro’s progress, saying the store is targeting a late‑September to early‑October opening and that in‑store amenities (including a large aquarium) remain on the critical path. Kevin Polston, representing the Riverton team during public comment, said retail and tenant recruitment are active and that the project team will try to provide counts of local hires when the tenants can share them.

The planning‑board submittals will include easement language to protect the future Main Street Bypass and will proceed through the borough’s planning process with the agency’s transmitted materials serving as the referral packet.