The central issue that emerged was the proposed development’s potential traffic impact, with particular emphasis on truck traffic. Detailed discussions were held on the number of truck trips associated with the new plan, the impact of building size reduction on these trips, and the potential influence of school traffic on the roadways. The board and public scrutinized the methodology used by the traffic engineer to estimate truck trips, raising questions about the reliability of the data and its implications for local traffic patterns. Concerns were voiced over the effectiveness of measures designed to prevent trucks from making unauthorized left turns and the likelihood of truck drivers adhering to designated routes.

The applicant’s representative and various experts faced rigorous questioning regarding the project revisions, especially the reduction in building size from the originally proposed plans. The reduction led to a decrease in the number of loading spaces and raised questions about the need for variances, such as setback variances, disturbing steep slopes, retaining wall height, and construction within a buffer area. The board probed into the decision not to use the reduced building size to create more parking spaces, and the impact of the changes on truck trips and tree removal.

Public testimony and board inquiries further delved into the implications of the reduced building size, questioning the engineer about the suitability of the land for the proposed use and the reasoning behind requesting variances. The engineer emphasized that he focused on the exterior design of the site, and that the activities inside the building were not within his purview.

The conversation also touched on the number of loading spaces and the floor area ratio requirement, with the site originally having 24 loading spaces reduced to 16. Concerns were raised about the site’s design in relation to the rate of truck movement, the turning radius for tractor trailers, and the accommodation of standing trucks. The public and the board also debated the consideration of industry standards in the site’s design and the potential impact on neighboring residential areas.

Another point of contention was the calculation of anticipated truck trips, with the traffic engineer explaining the use of an average rate formula and defending the methodology as adhering to industry standards. Residents and board members alike expressed concerns about the accuracy of these calculations and the potential maximum number of trips, leading to a discussion about the authority to change parking space requirements and whether the township’s ordinance might be outdated.

As the meeting neared its end, the chair reminded attendees to focus their questions on the new testimony and revisions to the application. Despite the discussions, the board managed to finalize scheduling concerns, including the possibility of a special meeting on June 13th and the cancellation of a meeting on July 3rd.