In Upper: Invasive Plants, No, Accessory Apartments, Yes

PETERSBURG – Upper Township Committee held its regular meeting March 7 and learned from engineer Paul Dietrich that while construction is proceeding on schedule in Tuckahoe, summer traffic will be highly problematic.
“Transportation officials tested the Route 50 Bridge and it’s still OK, with no vibration damage due to road construction. Residents though, especially in Estell Manor and Corbin City, are asking for new detour signage to keep trucks off local streets when they’re looking for shortcuts,” explained Dietrich.
Mayor Richard Palombo said, “The other day I needed to wait over 10 minutes for the light at the bridge to turn. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen when the summer traffic starts up. We need to alert vacationers and those travelling here about what’s going on; can we get signs up at Mays Landing, or even before so we don’t get as many cars? Last year was confusing but this year is going to be backed up.”
Dietrich replied he will look into what can be done.
Approval of Ordinances
Committee approved two ordinances on second reading. The first provides for amendment of the township’s property maintenance regulations as pertains to control of invasive plants.
“Originally we thought just to address planting of bamboo,” said Palombo, “but after further study this ordinance now includes all invasive plants such as vines as well, not just control but also no new planting.”
The second ordinance revises a zoning regulation and provides for “accessory apartments” in commercial areas under the township’s affordable housing program for rent to qualified modest income households.
Under this ordinance the property owner receives a subsidy from the township’s subsidy trust fund. This type of housing counts for inclusion under required Council on Affordable Housing unit quota numbers. Solicitor Daniel Young confirmed that the ordinance is consistent with the master plan provisions per a planning board review.
Committee passed both unanimously and there was no one who stepped forward to comment on either during public comment.
Volunteers Needed
Committee member Hobart Young reported that the annual Spring Fling-Easter event will be held March 19 at 1 p.m. at Amanda’s Field. “We’re going to have a petting zoo and characters like the Easter Bunny, Cinderella and Prince Charming. We’re also going to have 20,000 filled eggs for the Easter egg hunt so that’s where we could really use help to get them ready. Any civic organization that would even just take 500 eggs to fill would be an enormous help.”
No Solicitation
Palombo said he had been receiving reports of “Solicitors going door-to-door saying they were selling something whether solar arrays or whatever. We don’t know if they’re really selling anything or just fishing for information and they’re a safety risk. So we’re asking any resident who is approached to please call the township or the State Police. The township has an ordinance against this type of activity.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.