Reader still waiting for Camel Creek hearing

Camel Creek is a plan for apartments at Dow Avenue and Route 27 at the Iselin/Colonia border. A tributary of the South branch of the Rahway River runs through the property. Development of the land will increase existing dangerous flooding problems downstream as well as problems for anyone living there.

The parcel of land contains old fill. Without a permit, the developer cut down trees and installed some drainage pipe. The state Department of Environmental Protection interrupted the tree cutting, told them to stop, and cited them with a violation. After the violation was issued, the tree cutting continued until finished. Thirty days later, a permit was issued for what the developer accomplished!

After a number of years went by, Camel Creek development was approved by a Middlesex County Superior Court decision.

The judge called for and conducted a public hearing regarding Camel Creek. Those attending had to miss a day's work and travel to far-off New Brunswick. When they started to speak, the judge informed all they could only ask questions at that hearing and would have to appear at another hearing, to be arranged, in order to voice opinions. Many months have gone by, and still no second hearing.

In May 2006, my husband and I visited this site. We found an open drain. Suddenly, my husband's right foot sank into a sinkhole! The Internet later informed me that sinkholes develop near water where land has been disturbed and can, within minutes become gigantic in size. In 1973, a 7-year-old child died in North Brunswick when he fell into a sinkhole while playing close to the apartment where he lived.

The newly found sinkhole was reported to the DEP, who said they would investigate. Following that report, the grass was not mowed for a long period of time. The uncut grass was waist-high, which made it impossible to see or find the sinkhole or the tributary. It made access to most of that property impossible to walk on or to inspect! I took some photos.

Intervention to cancel that court decision as well as more investigation is needed to stop such outrageous procedure and dangerous development. This property should remain open space with trees replanted.

Florence Caporaso

Colonia