7 eleven

[Guest]

I think it's reasonable to ask the 7-11 owner(s) to limit the hours of operation. I am not sure the town has authority to force it.

I think this store will not be so popular to operate 7/24.

[Cranbury Bloke]

All u concerned residents are so clueless...There are drunk drivers all night long on Route 130 and there isn't a 7/11 yet...And as for the customers it attracts, who do u think committed all those burglaries last year?????...No getting around it, the highway is the highway, only thing that protects LITTLE OL CRANBURY are the COPS.

[Jersey Dad]

[Guest]

I am really disappointed with where this forum is going. JD is right. Cranbury works because the residents share a plan and a small community goal. Our boards look to keep Cranbury preserved and not let it go to the wayside. Peope who are commenting like a few posters here, really don't get it and I wonder what their ties are to the community. Are they residents? Are they kids? Or short term renters?

I can't see how any resident who pays property taxes and who is here for the long term would really not care how the property looks when developed or how it affects the neighbors. Frankly, I am indifferent. But, I live in Shadow Oaks so I am about as far removed as possible. However, this board continues to go downhill with threads like the BR and now this one with immature posts.

[Guest]

BR?

[Guest]

Who is BR? I didn't see a BR posting about 7-11.

[Guest]

[g2]

I think the postings so far are ok.

I don't like the attitude of basing people when they disagree with your opinions.

The key points I gathered:

1. The 7-11 store will open for business in the near future.

2. When it opens, it's a good source of tax revenue for the town.

3. Some residents like to be able to limit the hour-of-operation.

4. It's impractical to object the opening of the store at its current location.

[Jersey Dad]

I agree that some of the posts can get a little sharp from time to time (including some of mine). I can appreciate the value of anonymous posting, but I think it is a shame when people take that opportunity to insult eachother. As a rule of thumb, I'd suggest we post comments we are willing to make to eachother face to face. After all, we are neighbors.

Regarding g2's summary, I would say the following...

A 7-11 is expected open and provide an additional source of tax revenue to the town. There are some neighborhood concerns, specifically safety, lighting, noise, design and hours of operation that should be reasonably addressed prior to the township granting zoning variances.

[comment]

[publius]

[Guest]

[3fates]

I find the Fire Alarm more troublesome at night than a 24 hour business on 130. Personally, I'd love to have a WAWA there.. but a 7-11 will do. I think the convenience of being able to get emergency grocery items late at night... is more important that worrying if someone has lights in their windows. Actually I'd love a WAWA in the old PNC on Main... they can shine their lights in my windows. I have great blinds.

And now I understand that the Spa has belly dancing classes. So is anyone upset that the Spa has practically naked dancing girls?... (Hopefully they're mostly girls).

[Guest]

[Cranbury Press]

7-11 eyes Route 130 site
Thursday, March 12, 2009 12:36 PM EDT
By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer

CRANBURY — 7-Eleven representatives met with residents at Cranbury School on March 5 to begin a dialogue about a convenience store possibly moving into the Route 130 corridor.

Although the project is in the planning stages, 7-Eleven is looking to construct a store on a .77-acre plot located on a triangle between Route 130 and South River Road, said John Palus, land development engineer for Dynamic Engineer, the firm overseeing the project.

The corporation is looking to construct a building of less than 3,000 square feet at the site, he said.

The 7-Eleven plans to maintain the store and the grounds but will seek out a franchise owner if the project is approved, Mr. Palus said.

No entries or exits have been finalized, as representatives need to meet with the state Department of Transportation to determine those components, he said.
Mr. Palus said residents had a number of concerns that 7-Eleven representatives either addressed or plan to address.

Some residents voiced their concerns over a growing commercial zone’s impact on Cranbury’s historic and small-town feel.

”At this point we want to work with the Historical Preservation Commission to come up with architecture suited for Cranbury,” Mr. Palus said.

Light nuisances, both by the store’s stationary fixtures as well as by the moving headlights that could disturb neighbors as cars enter and exit the premises, was another issue discussed, he said.

On the first topic, planners will look to install smaller lights that are directed downward, Mr. Palus said.

On the second topic, Mr. Palus said he doesn’t expect customers’ headlights to be a major issue, as the store would be located at the site of a jughandle, where, if there were any light disturbances, they would likely already exist, he said.

However, representatives are looking at the property’s layout to see if they can alleviate any possible problems.

A number of residents felt the location of the store could pose a danger to customers who attempt to cross a sometimes busy and hazardous Route 130, an issue the corporation can address, but not necessarily solve, Mr. Palus said.

”With any development, you’re going to have concerns,” he said. “But we’ll also work with the DOT to revise the plans and help do anything we can.”

7-Eleven’s next step is to meet with the DOT and improve upon the concept, Mr. Palus said.

Initially, corporate representatives brought their proposal to the Development Review Committee last fall, said Cathleen Marcelli, township engineer.

At that time, township officials warned 7-Eleven that a company had made a similar proposal for a gas station and convenience store at the site more than five years ago, which was ultimately rejected, she said.

Currently, a gas station or a convenience store is allowed in General Commercial zones but not on the proposed project’s site, which is in a Highway Commercial zone, Ms. Marcelli said.

7-Eleven representatives will have to seek a use variance if plans are to proceed, she said.

Unlike the previous proposal, Mr. Palus said, his client does not intend to include a gas station. He said the previous project was rejected because the site was going to be “overdeveloped” and he doesn’t believe 7-Eleven will receive the same response because it is trying to fill a void for the community.
”The site is an eyesore today,” Mr. Palus said. “This amenity really isn’t readily available and it certainly fits here.”

http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2009/03/12/cranbury_press/news/doc49b937fbb40ca295794720.txt

[Guest]

On the second topic, Mr. Palus said he doesn’t expect customers’ headlights to be a major issue, as the store would be located at the site of a jughandle, where, if there were any light disturbances, they would likely already exist, he said.

I guess this will not be an issue for the Cranbury Estates people. I'm all for this coming to Cranbury !