To the Editor:
At the recent Little Egg Harbor Planning Board meeting, an application was presented to allow a six-lot subdivision within the Planned Residential Development zone. The minimum lot size for a subdivision is 100 acres. The applicant only has 1.26 acres. If the planning board approves this application, it will set back the township planning process to the levels that existed prior to the 1976 Municipal Land Use Law enacted by our township.

In addition, the site in question is the southwest corner of the intersection of Radio Road and Oak Street, where cars, buses and trucks are regulated in their movements by a state-approved traffic signal. This signal required the approvals of our township and the county. New Jersey Statutes Title 39 regulates the signal, but the planning board’s experts did not investigate the obligations of the township to protect the motorist from harm due to the numerous driveways needed to serve this six-lot subdivision.

Hard-working folks who want to get into their home will have to cross the artificial traffic control barriers erected pursuant to Title 39 as well as avoid buses, trucks and fast-moving bicycles. Safety needs to be provided in accordance with the Uniform Manual of Traffic Control Devices allow for the uninterrupted operation of the public bus stop at this corner. The planning board needs to have the police department’s traffic control officer review the developer’s plans and make recommendations such as that required by the application of good planning practices and principles.

Before the planning board takes any approval action, the issues of safety and planning to provide for neighborhood parks in the Planned Residential Zone should be reconciled and approval withheld until the safety of families and motorists is fully protected.

Peter Ferwerda 3rd

Little Egg Harbor

Peter Ferwerda is a candidate for the Little Egg Harbor Township Committee in the upcoming election.