NJ Residents Against Proposed Development of Angela Drive

We, the undersigned, firmly oppose the 2009 application by T. Galante Properties to build a major residential site on Angela Drive off Route 516 in Old Bridge, NJ, on the following grounds:

a) We wish to stop overdevelopment. Route 516 is already too congested with poor traffic flow. Furthermore, any increase in population will further burden our school system and public services, such as firefighters and emergency response units. We are concerned about public safety and quality of life in Old Bridge and NJ, including education.

b) The applicant, Thomas Galante, is currently a township official who has served on the Old Bridge Municipal Utilities Authority for many years. Township officials should not request numerous and/or material variances, because there may be conflicts of interest, perceived or actual, that would result in public distrust of local government.


c) The applicant knew the property was zoned R120 for low density development at the time of purchase. His request to overdevelop low density land, along with numerous other material variances, does not constitute financial hardship. Adjacent residents purchased their property based on the fact that the applicants property was zoned R120. Approval of this application would result in unjust profits for the applicant at the expense of many others. This would be damaging to the publics faith in our property laws.

d) The applicants site plan calls for the destruction of environmentally-sensitive land. The applicants land has been designated by New Jerseys Division of Fish and Wildlifes Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) as both suitable habitat and priority concern habitat in the Landscape Project. The Landscape Project was developed to protect imperiled species and their habitats in an effort to maintain New Jerseys biological diversity. Designated areas are critically important in maintaining the health of New Jerseys ecosystems and the States at risk species. Other environmental impacts associated with developing an environmentally sensitive area, especially a forested area that contains wetlands such as the applicants land, include: increased damage from flooding; decreased groundwater recharge; a deterioration in groundwater quality; decreased flora and fauna diversity; a significant change in the hydrogeologic make-up of the area; the destruction of species corridors; the introduction of nuisance species; diminished ecosystem quality.

For the reasons stated above, we, the undersigned, hereby request the Old Bridge Zoning Board of Adjustments vote NO regarding T. Galantes application to build residential homes on Angela Drive.