This letter concerns the proposed development of the Manalapan Crossing project presented by Cardinale Enterprises to the Manalapan Planning Board on Sept. 13, 2018.
The residential part of the plan is very poorly laid out. There are no open spaces, pedestrian trails, curved streets or cul-de-sacs. The streets are linear, creating a gridiron effect that gives the impression of military barracks.
In my view, aesthetics has been totally compromised to allow the developer to squeeze the most houses onto the site.
Further, the comment was made by one of the developer’s professionals that the building style is to be “Mediterranean.” What does this have to do with Manalapan? The history of our town is steeped in the American Colonial tradition and as such the buildings should reflect this in their design.
Relative to the commercial area of the plan, the mayor was correct when he noted that construction vehicles will not be permitted on Millhurst Road. If you take this a step further, this begs the question as to how the shops will be serviced.
Will trailer trucks be permitted on Millhurst Road? Will there be some restrictions on the size of the trucks and/or hours of operation? What area is set aside for these trucks to unload and where are the dumpsters to be located?
Continuing in the commercial area, why is there a gas station, with all its environmental concerns, permitted within the community? There are three gas stations on Route 33 within a 2-mile radius of this site. What is needed in this area and not provided for is a supermarket.
Concerning the traffic on Millhurst Road, let me point out that there are approximately 400 homes in the Battleground community that can only leave the community by exiting onto Millhurst Road. Some consideration should be given to providing traffic lights at the intersection of these streets and Millhurst Road.
In conclusion, it is my hope the Planning Board will give serious thought to the issues I have raised. Let’s have a community the town can be proud of, rather than a poorly planned community that does nothing but accommodate the developer.
Stephen H. Pine, architect (Ret.)
Manalapan
