Rezoning Ordinance First Step in Route 33 Corridor Development

By: Megan Malloy

East Windsor residents are concerned about changes to the Master Plan.

Dozens of East Windsor residents appeared at a June 11 Township Council meeting to express their concern that their neighborhood was being rezoned for industrial use. They were reassured, however, that a new ordinance has actually eliminated certain industrial uses. 

The ordinance, which was passed unanimously, is part of a Master Plan change that will make a 138-acre area adjacent to Route 33 into a pedestrian-friendly zone. This is being done with "minimum traffic impact and compatibility with residential uses," said Township Planner Richard Coppola.  

The area in question comprises the stretch along Route 33 between Route 130 in East Windsor and Summit Street in Hightstown. Of the 138.2 acres of vacant land in East Windsor, 94.6 acres are zoned highway commercial and 43.6 are zoned industrial office. The ordinance reclassifies this land into a new zoning district, a "Corridor Revitalization Commercial Zoning District." 

The ordinance eliminates certain uses, including auto body shops, car dealerships, and commuter parking lots. Residents were concerned that this new classification would allow for industrial development in their backyard.

"(The ordinance) eliminates uses that are now permitted within this land in East Windsor,” Coppola said. 

The rezoning grew out of a public hearing held by the Planning Board to amend the Master Plan back in March. That amendment "recommends that the township zoning ordinance provisions be formulated and adopted to govern the future development within the refined ‘Route 33 Corridor’ area as stated in the plan," the Windsor-Hights Herald reported.

The revitalization project--a plan East Windsor developed in concert with Hightstown--envisions the "creation of a strong pedestrian/bikeway network that connects the sites within the corridor and links to downtown Hightstown, Peddie School and the Board of Education facilities." According to the plan, the rezoning hopes to attract big-box retailers, restaurants, and community centers like YMCAs or assisted living centers to develop along the corridor. 

"The general idea is to make that area more attractive," Mayor Mironov said at the June 11 meeting. 

Mayor Janice Mironov said the council would be working with residents throughout the rezoning process. The mayor further reassured residents by explaining that any future construction applications would be required to go through a separate review process.