The topic is a development ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------
Hi,
I just wanted to take a moment to review the purpose of VORT. We oppose an application to develop an environmentally sensitive part of Rockaway Twp., specifically 140 Green Pond Rd.
A review of the master plan of the township denotes this portion of town as environmentally sensitive, thereby it is not simply our opinion that it is environmentally sensitive, it is documented fact. This area is predominately “wet lands” and is documented as such in many official documents in the State of NJ.
In addition to our concerns over the environment we are extremely concerned over the traffic impact this project could have on the road ways. The roads in question include – Green Pond Rd., Rt. 80, Morris Ave, Meridian Rd., Old Beach Glenn, Farber Hill, Sanders Rd. and all other road ways within this portion of town. Traffic flow, congestion and safety are the primary concerns we have.
Water is a significant and urgent problem associated with this application for redevelopment. The land is surrounded by very important water ways that move water from one reservoir to another reservoir. These reservoirs provide drinking water to Jersey City, Newark and Kearney. The land also sits on the well fields that provide Rockaway Twp with its drinking water. The addition of 1000 parking spaces will have significant negative impact on the water quality in the rivers and well fields. There are massive environmental concerns with this application. There are MANY issues that the State of NJ is attempting to deal with new legislation that will protect the land, air, and water as well as help to limit urban sprawl. These matters make it very clear that these are STATE WIDE problems that require swift attention in order to protect the land, air and water from further harm.
First aid and safety are of major concern for several reasons. First, the only way to get from the north of town to our local hospital is via Green Pond Rd., a one lane road with no shoulder in many areas. Fire and first aid units will have a difficult time getting in and out of the north end of town with thousands of vehicles on the roads at peek times, which include Sundays but also includes “special events” which can happen at any day or time. Further, the only place we have to land a helicopter in the north section of town is on the 140 Green Pond Rd. Property. A week ago Sunday a man was injured at 7:30am Sunday morning and was flown out from that location. According to the plans submitted by Christ Church the area where the helicopter landed is marked as a “staging area” for construction equipment for the first 2 years that they will occupy the space. Thus it is unclear if there will be a space available to land a helicopter - during testimony by Mr. Ireland this was discussed, yet no changes to the plan were submitted to date. To continue in the area of infrastructure the need for additional police officers during peek traffic times will be significant, calling for the tax payers to contribute to the cost of such services by means of compensations to the officers and lack of staffing to other functions in town.
Lastly, the taxes are a significant issue. The loss of $631,000.00 is devastating. Coupled with the fact that the town will be required to provide services year in and year out while our expense’s increase so will our taxes, yet still no $631,000 + inflation.
At this point in the process we are attempting to ensure that this application is being heard by the proper board. Failure to have the application heard in the proper form does not help either side in this process. The “LAND USE” definition of “Church” is what is being questioned and testimony has been heard, more is to come. This application is in its infancy and suggestions that the town is attempting to “stall” are naive at best and simply meant to incite at worse.
This is the focus of VORT; suggestions of anything other are simply not true.
Before anyone lends credibility to vORT, I think we need to discuss vORT leadership. Yesterday's revelation of vORT's inside information and Today's Confirmationn about Ms Hamilton clearly shows an unholy alliance between vORT and the Mayor.
You didn't really believe $5 donations paid for the experts and lawyers, did ya?
But let's remember the oh-so-many questions that are never answered, shall we?
I just wanted to take a moment to review the purpose of VORT. We oppose an application to develop an environmentally sensitive part of Rockaway Twp., specifically 140 Green Pond Rd.
Is it the purpose of VORT to ridicule David Ireland for selling books & tapes?
Is it the purpose of VORT to portray David Ireland as a liar by the 9/11 -SeniorCenter comments?
A review of the master plan of the township denotes this portion of town as environmentally sensitive, thereby it is not simply our opinion that it is environmentally sensitive, it is documented fact. This area is predominately “wet lands” and is documented as such in many official documents in the State of NJ.
This fact didn’t stop the town from allowing the area to be heavily developed by HP. Do church members cause more environmental damage than office workers?
In addition to our concerns over the environment we are extremely concerned over the traffic impact this project could have on the road ways. The roads in question include – Green Pond Rd., Rt. 80, Morris Ave, Meridian Rd., Old Beach Glenn, Farber Hill, Sanders Rd. and all other road ways within this portion of town. Traffic flow, congestion and safety are the primary concerns we have.
Are you just as concerned about the rapid development occurring all over Green Pond Rd. and the inherent traffic impact? If so, what efforts have you made to make these concerns known?
Water is a significant and urgent problem associated with this application for redevelopment. The land is surrounded by very important water ways that move water from one reservoir to another reservoir. These reservoirs provide drinking water to Jersey City, Newark and Kearney. The land also sits on the well fields that provide Rockaway Twp with its drinking water. The addition of 1000 parking spaces will have significant negative impact on the water quality in the rivers and well fields. There are massive environmental concerns with this application. There are MANY issues that the State of NJ is attempting to deal with new legislation that will protect the land, air, and water as well as help to limit urban sprawl.
Do you consider a church building to be “urban sprawl”? Why is it “urban”?
These matters make it very clear that these are STATE WIDE problems that require swift attention in order to protect the land, air and water from further harm.
If CC complies with the NJ environmental regulations, will you still oppose them on environmental grounds?
First aid and safety are of major concern for several reasons. First, the only way to get from the north of town to our local hospital is via Green Pond Rd., a one lane road with no shoulder in many areas. Fire and first aid units will have a difficult time getting in and out of the north end of town with thousands of vehicles on the roads at peek times, which include Sundays but also includes “special events” which can happen at any day or time.
“Fire and first aid units will have a difficult time getting in and out of the north end”Has any proof been offered that this is a true statement? Let's hear it.
Further, the only place we have to land a helicopter in the north section of town is on the 140 Green Pond Rd. Property. A week ago Sunday a man was injured at 7:30am Sunday morning and was flown out from that location. According to the plans submitted by Christ Church the area where the helicopter landed is marked as a “staging area” for construction equipment for the first 2 years that they will occupy the space. Thus it is unclear if there will be a space available to land a helicopter - during testimony by Mr. Ireland this was discussed, yet no changes to the plan were submitted to date.
Did Agilent have a standing legal obligation to keep that space forever open for helicopter traffic? If they had wanted to develop that space and eliminate it as a helicopter landing site, could they have?
To continue in the area of infrastructure the need for additional police officers during peek traffic times will be significant, calling for the tax payers to contribute to the cost of such services by means of compensations to the officers and lack of staffing to other functions in town.
Won’t CC be obligated to cover the costs of any needed traffic control?
Lastly, the taxes are a significant issue. The loss of $631,000.00 is devastating. Coupled with the fact that the town will be required to provide services year in and year out while our expense’s increase so will our taxes, yet still no $631,000 + inflation.
Is there ANY legal reason to continue to discuss taxes other than to inflame township residents? Will taxes be considered by the planning board? Will taxes be considered by any judicial body that renders a verdict in this case?
Has VORT gone to any lengths to educate RT residents on what the tax impact of a school at the Agilent site would be?
At this point in the process we are attempting to ensure that this application is being heard by the proper board. Failure to have the application heard in the proper form does not help either side in this process. The “LAND USE” definition of “Church” is what is being questioned and testimony has been heard, more is to come. This application is in its infancy and suggestions that the town is attempting to “stall” are naive at best and simply meant to incite at worse.
Was it imperative for the PB attorney to question whether the applicant is really a church? How many other applicants before the planning board have been sidetracked for months because they’ve been required to prove that they are what they very obviously are?
This is the focus of VORT; suggestions of anything other are simply not true.
Why do you have to keep repeating how people should see your organization? Won’t you be judged on the actions and statements of your members no matter what you claim your focus really is?
The only thing tURD has hit is his record for spewing garbage in a public forum. He is a pathetic little man, he has spent many years looking for the support VORT gathered in a few months in our town. Can you say frustrated ego-maniac?????
quote: Originally posted by: Jealous tED? " Jealous that you can't get your 15 minutes of fame, except by attacking others? "
Yeah, I'm looking for fame from both (maybe 3) people who visit this site. Too bad you folk can't stay on the subject. I suggest you wait for new marching orders from "Lying Lou".
