Voorhees Planning Board Denies Proposed Super Wawa/Tractor Supply Development

Attorney Sobel Leads Fight to Oppose Development at Busy Intersection

Attorney Howard Sobel has successfully represented a number of residents who opposed the construction of side-by-side businesses on southbound Route 73 and Kresson Road.in Voorhees. The proposed development, which would have required the Voorhees Planning Board to issue 22 variances, called for a Super Wawa with (16) fuel dispensers and a Tractor Supply Co. store, built along Route 73 with an entrance/exit on Kresson Road.

Attorney Sobel, whose law practice is located on Kresson Road next to where the proposed Kresson Road entrance/ exit was planned and within inches of the proposed Wawa parking lot, objected to the development for a number of reasons, that included, but were not limited to the following:

• The property available for development is too small for both businesses. For example, the Voorhees Zoning Code requires that super convenient stores with fuel be built on a 3 acre parcel and whereas the proposed Wawa was to be built on approximately 2 acres;
• The proximity of the development to Rural Residential buildings, which includes several residences, together with a lack of effective buffers was unacceptable;
• The development would significantly increase traffic on an already busy intersection, which would pose increased safety risks with the proposed entrance/exit on Kresson Road;
• The developer did not take existing bicycle lanes on Kresson Road into consideration.

Though the vote at the planning board was actually a tie, under municipal land use law, an approval requires a majority of planning board members present at the meeting. The developer has 45 days from the date of official publication of the board’s ruling to appeal the decision. Thus far, the developer has not responded.

Sobel applauded the decision, which came after a five months of hearings that included testimony of numerous experts. According to Sobel, the proposed development was like “trying to put 20 pounds of potatoes into a five pound bag”

Contact the Law Offices of Howard N. Sobel

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