Tim Horton’s, Brightview Senior Living Slated for 10-Acre Site in Mount Laurel
By JANEL “JAYCEE” MILLER
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — The Mount Laurel Planning Board on Thursday approved Delco Development’s variance request regarding a Tim Horton’s with a drive-through and a 175-unit congregate care and assisted living facility at a 10-acre site where Route 38 meets Haddon Boulevard near the partially completed Haddon Point Mount Laurel apartment complex.
The Planning Board also approved the developer’s plans to construct a yet-to-be-determined retail store at that same location.
Township code requires 100 feet between buildings such as the Tim Horton’s with a drive-through and the yet-to-be-determined retail store. However, the developer’s plan only has 80.5 feet between those two buildings, according to Jackie Giordano, an engineer working with the developer.
“We feel that there is sufficient space provided between the buildings for adequate access for vehicles (and) pedestrians. (The developer’s plan) also promotes a more desirable and visual environment,” Giordano said of requesting a variance on the township code requirement.
The 175-unit congregate care and assisted living facility would be built first, according to Giordano.
Before the Planning Board voted on the variance request, two residents living near the site expressed concerns about the component of the plan near Sage Way and Haddon Boulevard.
“As we know, people do not often signal, and even when they do, maybe it is late,” said Jeremy Smith. “I am concerned about (traffic), especially at peak hour at breakfast time, that people coming in and out of there are going to complicate the situation of that intersection.”
“This community has a lot of kids full of energy, and they are always running around,” added Raman Gill. “There are five school buses that come in here every day, and right across that place is the bus stop where the kids play. My concern is… the safety of the kids.”
Justin Taylor, a traffic engineer working with the Delco Development, said he felt Smith and Gill’s concerns were unfounded.
“If somebody were pulling out and leaving your development, you are going to see that,” Taylor said. “We (also) have been careful in choosing the landscaping in this rear area to keep those sight lines (clear).”
Township Manager Meredith Riculfy added she would ask the Mount Laurel Police Department to review the developer’s plan with Smith and Gill’s concerns in mind.
“Bus stops tend to change year to year, depending on the number of kids, what schools they go to and that kind of stuff,” Riculfy also said. “We are constantly looking at bus stops (and) crosswalks for schools.”
According to Delco Development, all the other components of the plan comply with or exceed local and state regulations, and the developer or those working with it will work with appropriate Township, county and state entities as the project moves forward.