Costco would demolish cinemas, build new store
BY TALI ISRAELI
Staff Writer

MARLBORO - Testimony for an application that proposes to construct a 145,267-square-foot membership shopping club on Route 9 began at the Plan-ning Board last week.

Representatives of Costco Wholesale are seeking site plan approval to build the facility on a 56-acre parcel on Route 9 and Texas Road; the shopping center has access from both roads.

Councilwoman Patti Morelli, who is a voting member of the Planning Board, and board member Elvera Fernandez recused themselves from participating in the hearing and from voting on the application.

According to Planning Board Attorney Dennis Collins, Morelli stepped down due to a personal relationship her family has with Sal Alfieri, the attorney representing the applicant.

Fernandez stepped down because she lives in Point de Jardin, the condominium complex behind the property in question. Residents of the complex have retained an attorney to object to the application, Collins said.

The applicant proposes to knock down the Regal Cinemas and build a Costco facility on that site. The existing 20,000-square-foot shopping center that faces the Regal Cinemas will remain on the site. The applicant is also proposing to build a gas station and a kiosk on the property.

If the Marlboro Planning Board approves the application, Costco representatives will have to receive approval from Old Bridge's land use board, since a portion of the site is in that municipality.

The site is in Marlboro's C-4 commercial district, in which the facility is a permitted use. The surrounding area consists of residential zones to the east and woodlands and wetlands to the south.

The 33 acres of woodlands and wetlands would be permanently deed restricted for the preservation of that land if the Planning Board approves the application, according to engineer Christopher Haiger, who is representing the applicant.

Representatives of Costco are also proposing to construct a sidewalk along Route 9 north to make the area safer for commuters. There is a bus stop near the entrance to the shopping center and a commuter lot on the property.

According to Haiger, the applicant is seeking relief from three township ordinances.

The variances requested include relief from the size of the parking spaces. The variance would allow 171 existing parking spaces to remain at 9 by 18 feet; the township ordinance requires parking spaces to be 10 by 20 feet.

The second variance being requested also deals with the parking on the site. The variance would allow 13 existing parking spaces to remain within 30 feet of the building that will not be demolished. The ordinance requires parking spaces to be more than 30 feet from the building.

The third variance being requested relates to a building sign.

The applicant is also requesting several waivers from the Planning Board.

According to Haiger, the applicant is proposing to remove 801 trees from the site, to replant 316 trees and to pay $121,000 ($250 per tree) for the difference.

The applicant is also proposing to do a complete replacement of lighting on the site and to construct a new drainage system in which a second detention basin would be built that would connect to the property's existing detention basin.

The Costco application is scheduled to continue on April 4.