Tensions surface at Oak Tree Road meeting
Consultants suggest rezoning as possible solution

Rezoning Oak Tree Road and improving parking in the Iselin section of Woodbridge could help reduce traffic congestion and development, two consultants said at a community meeting recently.

"We need to revise the zoning boundaries," said Fred Heyer, a principal in the New Brunswick planning firm Heyer, Gruel & Associates. Heyer and Susan S. Gruel moderated the second of four "visioning" meetings on the township's master plan. "We suggest reducing the extent of the B-2 zone, which doesn't require on-site parking, and rezone former B-2 areas to B-3."

The Oct. 12 meeting was tense at times, as residents sparred over the future of Oak Tree Road and Iselin.

David Bennett, who also attended the first meeting, said the major problem in Iselin is not being addressed.

"I am very discouraged," he said. "The major problem is the fact that we need to stop further development. What we should have done was stop development on Sept. 8, until all the meetings were done. By the time we get through the process, three, four or five buildings will be put up."

But William Sitar, owner of Sitar Realty Co. on Oak Tree Road, said property owners like himself should not be penalized for developing their own property. Sitar said he plans to build a small retail center next to his realty company.

"I have owned the premises for 18 years," said Sitar. "I plan to go to the board soon with my plans. As property owners, we have the right to develop on our own property. The center will be good for the community and keep taxes down."

Antonella Gich, who grew up in Italy and has lived in Iselin since 1977, said she is fed up.

"I can't buy an Italian newspaper or Italian bread in my neighborhood," she said. "I have lived in the United States for 29 years and it doesn't bother me. If I want, I can just go to Little Italy [in New York City]. I have nothing against the Indian people, but everything is Indian. Now you're spending millions of dollars to build for them. I am very upset. You have to give the residents something."

David Makkar, who is from Springfield, but considers Iselin his second home, didn't understand Tich's comments.

"I started eating Italian bread," he said. "I don't understand why she can't accept our way."

The problems on Oak Tree Road include traffic congestion, inadequate parking for the strip malls on Oak Tree Road, the lack of cleanliness on Oak Tree Road, and the constant development in Iselin.

Possible solutions

Heyer and Gruel presented the issues and their preliminary recommendations for the issues on a PowerPoint slide show. Roughly 125 residents attended the second meeting.

Heyer said parking problems have led to traffic congestion. He suggested increasing the availability and utility of existing parking by redesigning lots and linking lots together.

"Parking is done on a case-by-case basis," he said. "People should pay for parking on the streets and leave the parking lots free. It's something to look at."

He also proposed limiting the conversion of small residential lots into commercial use and reducing curb cuts on all public streets.

"The commercial uses usually don't have adequate parking, which causes problems," said Heyer. "Perhaps build townhouses or keep it single-family homes."

Reducing curb cuts is another way to reduce friction because it prevents drivers from taking shortcuts, he said.

The planning consultants also suggested upgrading the parking signage to make it easier to find parking, improving lighting, signage, sidewalks, and street furniture, prohibiting front yard Dumpsters, and extending the Special Improvement District to Wood Avenue.

"The upgrade to the parking signage is key," Heyer said. "Because what does one do when they don't know where they are going? They continue to circle around until they find a spot and that jams up traffic and they make those illegal U-turns."

One goal is to encourage walking, he said.

"We want people to drive and park their car only once," he said. "Comfortable pathways need to be made. Crosswalks should be geared to areas where people are pressured to use them .

The meetings are part of a $60,000 initiative to explore the township's business districts and the surrounding residential areas.

The consultants had trouble keeping the meeting on track at times.

"I think the problem was half the crowd from the first meeting wasn't there," said Township Council President Patricia Osborne. "Heyer and Gruel prepared for the meeting, but I think they should have explained to the people who were not at the first meeting what the purpose of the second meeting was. I don't think they got their message across because people were still getting up to express other issues and concerns."

More meetings planned

The third of four planned meetings is a neighborhood walk-through in downtown Iselin. But residents expressed concerns about several hundred people walking down Oak Tree Road on a Saturday afternoon.

"Plans are still being worked out," said Gruel. "The third meeting will probably not be until November."

Heyer and Gruel also suggested working with Edison on regional and border issues, a possible shuttle system along Oak Tree Road, assessing one-way recommendations, coordinating with Metro Park about expansion, talking to county officials about traffic improvements and more emphasis on enforcement.

The planning consultants said they haven't yet considered making more parkway entrances on Inman Avenue and New Dover Road, a suggestion made at the first visioning meeting.

Osborne said the ordinance that will address the problems with single-family rental homes is close to being done.

"We are working the kinks out of it," she said. "Within this week, we should have it done."

Sergio Ghiano, who works on zoning and planning boards in New York City, said everyone has to compromise.

"For example, I fought to not build the overpass over Wood Avenue and Route 27," he said. "You have to think, can I wait five to 10 minutes to get down the street or do I want a monstrous bridge built?"

Biren Jhavern, an Oak Tree Road business owner, and Bhubendra Patel said after the meeting they felt the Oak Tree Road business district was being targeted. The area is comprised mostly of South Asian food, sweets, clothing, jewelry and music stores.

The South Asian stores have attracted visitors from towns all over New Jersey, and other states.

Heyer and Gruel said they felt residents were passionate about their neighborhood

"This is what we want," said Heyer after the meeting. "I did one of these meetings in Jersey City and four people showed up."

Resident Ellen Ghiano said she would have liked to see more people at the meeting.

"It was sad to not see that many people at this meeting than the last one," she said.

Residents who were unable to attend the meeting can find a summary of the issues and the PowerPoint presentation on the township's Web site: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.