Quick Chek Faces Continued Resistance in Butler

in Butler, slated for Route 23 North, between Boonton and Bartholdi Ave., continue to be met with resistance by members of the planning board and citizens of Butler.

Representatives for , Charles Olivo and John McDonough, provided supplemental testimony in response to several questions posed by the public and planning board members at last month's planning board meeting. Olivo conducted additional research including a gap study to predict whether existing traffic would allow the expected number of vehicles to exit the site, and also completed a traffic volume analysis at two different times of the day.

Borough Engineer Paul Darmofaslki specifically asked for the gap study at last month's meeting because the right most lane of Route 23 would serve as the acceleration and deceleration lane for ingress and egress to the site.

The figures used in Olivo’s last presentation were collected approximately one year ago yet data collected at this week's meeting was identical to the initial results. Olivo’s recent study recorded the number of gaps in traffic and their length of time in seconds. Measurements were taken twice in one day, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

His findings confirmed that adequate gaps exist in the flow of traffic during peak and off peak hours, he said. Olivo said, “The total gaps in the morning were 187 with a proposed exiting movement of 100 (vehicles) out of the site.”

“In the evening … there were 311 gaps in traffic that allowed for a vehicle to exit into the right most lane when there’s an expectation of 136 vehicles to exit during that time.”

Board members and the public had additional concerns, notably with Quick Chek’s plans not taking into account the majority of cars fueling from the left hand side. Olivo presented a diagram depicting numerous vehicles occupying the fueling station on either side spread evenly on both sides of the pumps.

Board Member Warren Frerichs said, “I just drove to Florida and back. The majority of cars fuel up on the left hand side.”

Olivo said that Quick Chek is very conscientious of its site design and if that was a problem they would have addressed it. He concluded his testimony by saying that on- and off- site traffic circulation is safe and efficient.

Planner John McDonough, representing Quick Chek, followed up on his testimony from the previous meeting by discussing the impacts of numerous retail structures allowed on the proposed Quick Chek site according to Butler's zoning regulations.

Quick Chek needs a use variance to build their planned store because the property is located in an HC2 zone, or highway commercial zone. A gas station or convenience store on its own is permitted at the location, just not together. McDonough pointed out that permitted uses for the site, including bars, restaurants, banks, or grocery stores, will have similar impacts on neighbors to what Quick Chek may produce.

“We get the sounds of closing doors, we get the sound of the door locks, music from people in the parking lot and the like,” explained McDonough.

“The comments and concerns that we’ve heard were already contemplated for the uses that are envisioned under your zone plan.”

McDonough did not directly mention any negative impacts that would result from the construction of a 24-hour Quick Chek.

Planning Board Member Jim Brown made sure to ask, “People aren’t gonna close doors on this site? People aren’t gonna beep horns? There will be no conversations in the parking lot? Because those are all negatives as to why this is a good thing.”

The next meeting is planned for July 21 where the public will be allowed to question planner McDonough. Quick Chek  has one more witness to present testimony and the conclusion of their presentation may take place by the end of summer.