mobanmarketHILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The number of tractor-trailer truck trips to the proposed warehouses off Homestead Road was debated at the recent Hillsborough Planning Board meeting.
Scott Gross, a Member Representative of Local Citizens Against Traffic(LCAT), was the second of five objectors to be heard before the planning board last Thursday, Nov. 7.
The objectors are against Applicant Homestead Road LLC’s proposed plan to reconfigure two lots, demolish existing structures, and construct two warehouse/office buildings on 203 and 189 Homestead Road.
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Gross had Kenneth J. Hausman, a Traffic Engineer, review the traffic impact study provided by the applicant Homestead Road LLC.
Hausman testified that the trip generation rates for the warehouses based on warehouse square footage “was very poorly correlated with warehouse size.”
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“In conclusion, the proposed trip generation then is not an accurate representation of what the site would actually generate as far as the number of truck trips,” said Hausman. “And my recommendation is that the trip generation work be redone so that the resulting traffic impacts can be determined.”
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Craig Gianetti of Day Pitney, LLP, who is representing Homestead Road LLC, questioned Hausman’s credibility.
“You acknowledged at the last meeting that you’re not an expert in warehouses. You specifically said it,” said Gianetti.
“I am not claiming to be an expert in anything other than traffic engineering,” said Hausman.
“So I will take it as a yes that you are not an expert in warehouses,” said Gianetti.
The two-and-a-half-hour meeting concluded with Gross requesting the Planning Board to present one additional expert “to address warehouse-related truck traffic, commercial vehicle and truck safety and real-world impacts of warehouse operations on Townships including the impact of this application it if it were to be approved in Hillsborough.”
Gianetti objected to the request stating, “A. It sounds like it is going to be in some instances speculation but B. that information might be good when the Township is considering zoning ordinances but it is not relevant when we’re dealing with the use that for this application is permitted for this zone.”
Hillsborough Planning Board Attorney Eric Bernstein asked that Gross submit his expert’s credentials along with a report on what they plan to testify by Nov. 25.
The application was carried to the Dec. 12 meeting where the Planning Board will “hear arguments on whether or not they will allow your expert to testify and allow the report to be entered as part of testimony,” said Bernstein to Gross.
If Gross’ expert is not heard then Objector #3 Brian Tarantino, a member representative of Stop Warehouses and Trucks (SWAT), will have his experts testify.
The other objectors include Michael Pisauro, Jr., Esq. of The Watershed Institute who already testified; and Objector #4: John Lanahan; and Objector #5: Lucy Sandler, Sourland Conservancy Board of Trustees, Advocacy Committee Chair who both have yet to testify.
The Homestead Road application was first brought before the Planning Board in May 2022 with the applicant’s testimony ending this past July. Now objectors have a chance to present their cases.
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