A Voorhees resident expresses concerns about the potential new constructions on the intersection of Kresson Road and Route 73.
By Anthony Smeglin
Voorhees resident
The Developer, VRI with J & J Voorhees II, LLC is close to breaking ground and constructing a Super Wawa and Tractor Supply Co. store at the corner of Kresson Road and Route 73.
This massive proposed project will add to an already congested intersection that is difficult to navigate and has had excessive traffic accidents. It will directly border many area residents’ homes and be in close proximity to the Naudain Montessori School, Kresson Elementary School and Rabinowitz Baseball Fields. The surrounding neighborhoods and many Voorhees residents have legitimate concerns as they relate to the health, safety and welfare of the community.
On March 14, the Voorhees Planning Board publically considered the application of the developer over the objection of Voorhees residents who challenged the application on multiple legal grounds. National representatives of Wawa, Tractor Supply Co., as well as their numerous experts testified on the overall project, which includes requests to grant 26 variances. Many of the variances directly encroach upon the local neighborhoods and include adding a three-lane exit/entryway on to Kresson Road near the busy Route 73 intersection, abutting residential properties closer than zoning regulations allow, clearing more trees/land than allotted, having fewer parking spaces than required, constructing too large of a business than the lot accommodates per current zoning requirements, putting up gasoline pricing signs larger than allowed and on Kresson Road where they are not permitted. Large 18-wheelers, gasoline tanker trucks and medium-sized box trucks will undoubtedly utilize the three-lane exit/entryway onto Kresson Road. This represents only a partial list.
The Voorhees Planning Board will resume consideration for this application on Wednesday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Voorhees Town Center. Local residents have voiced concerns that this project will result in increased traffic, a more unsafe intersection, air, noise, light, water runoff pollution, increased crime and greater delay in getting to the two nearby hospitals, including Virtua Marlton and Virtua Voorhees. Ample data published related to super gas stations in close proximity to residential neighborhoods supports these concerns. The developer is trying to build this oversized project on undersized lots. In doing so, this project poses serious concerns to Voorhees residents, as well as those who traverse this already congested area where an extraordinary amount of automobile accidents have occurred.
Please join many of your fellow residents at the Voorhees Planning Board meeting on April 11 so you can air your concerns related to this undesirable and potentially dangerous development.
Feel free to contact the neighborhood opposition group at saynotowawa@gmail.com for further information or support.
