Politics & Government

Questions Arise on Traffic Impact of Possible Route 571 Facility

Site proposed for Route 571 near Route 70 and Toms River border

Local residents spent the majority of Thursday's Manchester meeting questioning an expert witness over the potential traffic impact a proposed skilled nursing facility along Route 571 could have on the area. 

Traffic engineer John Rea of Manasquan-based McDonough and Rea Associates  but was unable to field all resident questions before the meeting ended. Testimony picked up again in the proposed $25 million Manchester Rehab Realty facility application in the auditorium.

Some residents questioned whether delivery trucks could cause a traffic backup within the facility's grounds, located at 3086 Ridgeway Rd., which could in turn create stalled traffic along Route 571. The Manchester site is near Route 70 and the border with Toms River.

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"The loading zone is well into the site in the back of the building," Rae said, adding that there are "several hundred feet of driveway space" planned to accommodate internal traffic. "There is room for more than one truck."

A study completed in November of 2010 and supplemental gap study conducted in August of 2011 found that the facility would have the capacity for 166 vehicles to make left hand turns on to Route 571 during its peak traffic hour of 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Rae said that he expects the actual number of vehicles making that turn in that hour to be about 22. 

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Gwen Lareau who lives on a property adjacent to the proposed site, asked Rae whether the amount of vehicles coming and going to the facility would cause issues along the county roadway.

"Twenty-two cars are making left hand turns when 1,100 cars are [travelling along Route 571] going 50 mph," Lareau said. "Is that safe?"

"Absolutely," Rae said. "Any objective person would come to the same conclusion that I came to that there are plenty of gaps to get on Route 571 to get on that roadway."

Rae also said that, though one shift at the facility ends at 3 p.m., the nature of a nursing facility makes it more likely that not every employee would leave at once as their exit "depends on job function." Some may need to stay later to care for a patient, while others may come and go while taking care of managerial tasks, he said. 

"It wouldn't be concentrated between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., though that would be the highest number," he said. 

Lisa John, the attorney representing the Manchester Neighbors group opposed to the facility's construction, questioned whether the study took potential summer traffic increases into account, since more residents may travel Route 571 to local beaches. 

Rae said that summer traffic volume was "a little lower." 

John attempted to ask Rae if he was aware of a  expressing concerns of increased traffic volume along the road which is home to two township schools. 

Board attorney Christopher Reid said that the board's letter, unlike a letter stating the facility's need which was introduced previously by applicant attorney Harvey York, a school administrator must be present to represent the board. 

"You can't speak for the board," Reid said to John. "They must come."

John noted that there have been several accidents in the area, most of which occurred on Route 70 and at the intersection of Routes 70 and 571. Rae could only speak for safety near the proposed facility driveway since a study of that intersection was not required as the proposed traffic increase did not meet the state threshold requiring a study.

"It's quite literally impossible to have a measurable impact," Rae said. The facility's expected peak hour contribution to traffic is about 35 vehicles, Rae said. The New Jersey Department of Transportation requires an impact study completed when 100 peak hour trips to an intersection, Rae said.

Safety along Route 571 was studied and Rae said that no dangers were found.

"In terms of what we're proposing to do, I did look at where our site access is located, I looked at the sight distance that is available north and south along Route 571 and it far exceeds the engineering standards that I have to comply with," Rae said. "I have no reason to believe that our driveway is not going to operate safely."

John asked whether increased traffic from the site could lead to more accidents.

"Not necessarily," Rae said. "I don't agree with that."

A landscape expert was introduced by the applicant in the final hour of the meeting to speak about alterations to the grounds which were made to create a buffer between neighboring residential properties. 

Edward Landau, a licensed landscape architect, said that a 6 foot high berm made of soil from the site grounds would be constructed around the building and a double row of pine trees and 6 foot tall fence would be placed atop it. 

The trees, a mixture of White Pines and Japanese Black Pines, would be alternated in the area between the fence and property line. 

Though both trees would be about 6-to-8 feet tall when planted, the White Pines would grow to 50-80 feet tall with a 40 foot spread, and the Japanese Black Pines would grow to 20-40 feet tall with a 30-40 foot spread. 

Board engineer Bob Mullen said that the amended landscaping plan should have been submitted to the board prior to the meeting. John also objected because the plans were not on file 10 days prior to the meeting. 

"You do not have to submit new plans every time you change something," York said in response, adding that he will have an updated plan on file.

Though York said that Landau was only present to testify briefly about the types of trees used and did not want to have to bring him back for further resident questioning, Reid asked that he come to the next meeting as the mandated 10:30 p.m. meeting end time came with residents still wanting to ask questions.

Frustrations also came out at the meeting when a resident questioner became upset after York made a hand gesture signaling to Reid that he did not object to her returning to the microphone even though she had already had a turn. 

"At this point, I'm not going to listen to whether someone is moving their hands," Reid said.

He then addressed audience outbursts which have become common occurrences at the meetings.

"I don't want any more clapping or cheering. This has been going on for months. If you don't like someone, so be it... at this rate we won't be done until April. It's got to stop. We're going to follow procedure."

The board is next scheduled to meet on January 26, again at the Manchester high school auditorium at 7 p.m. Should the venue change, the new location will be announced on the township website, said board secretary Darlene Garcia. 

This was the sixth time that the application will appear before Manchester's Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the proposed facility was . Since then,  have spoken out against the application, which they fear may lower their quality of life and property values.


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