Activity Report
July 2005

• LAWRENCE:
  • Wal-Mart:
    The proposal has not been on the Planning Board's agenda, but we are hearing that it might come in September. Meanwhile, LET's Stop Wal-Mart has been putting up yard signs in Ewing and Lawrence. Lawrence recently passed a resolution against the Hillsboro transload facility because it would add truck traffic to Route 206. LETs Stop Wal-Mart took the resolution and reworded it to fit Wal-Mart because the arguments against it are the same. The resolution was proposed to the Lawrence Township Council in early August, but the Council did not comment.

    Lawrence recently petitioned Mercer County to hand over 35 acres of farmland on the Pole Farm for use as ballfields. The transaction was agreed to by the County before any public hearings took place. We sent a letter to the editor of the Trenton Times, which got published, chastising the transaction.

    Lawrence Township is also moving forward on its Sustainable Lawrence initiative. Laura is keeping an eye on it through the Sustainable Lawrence listserv.

• HAMILTON:
  • Downzoning Ordinance:
    Hamilton Township is preparing a downzoning ordinance for the southeastern side of the township, where the last farms remain. The ordinance attempts to preserve as much open space as possible while allowing houses to be built. Bonnie, Rocky, and Laura reviewed the ordinance, with help from Chapter Vice-Chair Ruth Prince. Bonnie prepared a long list of questions and comments for the Council's 11 August hearing.

  • ROUTE 92:

    Rumors are that the Final EIS will be released after Labor Day, and that Route 92 is dead. Laura received a call from Marty Robins, who was in charge of the Penns Neck EIS Partners Roundtable. He said that there are movements towards setting up conflict mediation for the Route 92 area, since traffic problems remain even though the highway proposal is probably dead.