Riverfront or Industrial? Land Use Board Has Town Engineer Prepare Consistency Plan on Riverfront Development

Phillipsburg, N.J.---The Phillipsburg Land Use Board on Thursday agreed to have the town engineer prepare a consistency report on the 170 Howard St. Riverfront Redevelopment Plan up for a vote following a public hearing at the board's next meeting on Aug. 22.

In a standing-room-only crowd at the Gloria Decker Senior Center, the board pointed out that if they approve the consistency plan on Aug. 22, it will be forwarded to the town council for its approval in September.

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About 45 people packed the meeting room, including almost 20 members of the "orange t-shirts," an anti-warehouse group that presented 93 protest letters to each Land Use Board member for a grand total of 1,023 letters, according to group chairperson David Morrissette of Fairview Heights.

Orange Shirts - Warehouses will cause more traffic congeston, pollution and truck traffic

He said the crux of the problem is the redevelopment plan will change the current zoning from "riverfront residential" to "heavy industrial-two", and that is inconsistent with Phillipsburg's master plan passed years earlier.

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Addressing the board during a public open forum, protesters called attention to what increased truck traffic traveling on both South Main Street and Center Street will do to benefit residents on those streets and in the nearby area.

Residents voiced their concerns over how increased air pollution, caused by truck exhaust fumes, will affect not only residents but also wildlife both locally and regionally along the Delaware River.

They also pointed out the unimaginable traffic congestion, road impassability tie-ups resulting from the increased traffic, and increased noise pollution from truck traffic.

Warehouse/Industrial Use - Tax Revenue, Jobs, Incentives

In the opposing camp, Phillipburg native and Perone Construction owner/ developer Michael Perrucci addressed the board and claimed Morrisette and his orange-shirted followers are "totally misguided" and cannot understand the real source of their opposition. He further explained the warehouse would provide 250 new job opportunities, increased tax revenue, and other incentives.

Resident Rany Piazza, Sr. commented if someone sailed down the Delaware River in a kayak, they wouldn't even be able to see a warehouse roof considering the riverfront's topography and the railroad embankment.

In addition, he pointed out without development on Howard Street, the crime, drugs, and homelessness will continue in the area.

Referring to the protesters, Piazza stated, "This is a few people imposing their will on others in the area."

Finally, Morrisette commented, "My sincere hope is that Phillipsburg follows its master plan and does not allow any rezoning and/or development uncomplimentary and/or not to the benefit of the current residents and the community."

Read more:

Reorganized Phillipsburg Land Use Board Approves Revamped Howard Street Warehouse Plan

Phillipsburg Town Council Says Yes to Peron Development Project On Howard Street

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