Glassboro Residents Face Uncertainty over Brewery Development
At a recent Planning Board meeting, the Glassboro community gathered to discuss the potential construction of a brewery as part of a restaurant around Richwood Crossings. Residents expressed concerns over the impact the development could have on the neighborhood.
During the meeting, attorney Jack Plackter presented plans for the 54-unit residential community. According to Plackter, the project will comply with the borough's Redevelopment Plan, which was passed in 2023. A Redevelopment Agreement between the applicant and the municipality was signed in September 2023. The board approved the proposal.
Residents questioned borough officials about the process and sought assurances that their concerns would be addressed. Board Chairman Medora responded that the project would undergo a thorough review, including traffic studies, environmental impact assessments, and public hearings.
Traffic engineer Michael Brown conducted a seven-day traffic count on Delsea Drive and presented data to the board. Based on his analysis, Brown concluded that the proposed development would not significantly impact traffic flow in the area.
However, board members expressed doubts about the traffic study, citing the absence of school buses and students during the summer months. They requested additional studies be conducted to account for student traffic during the school year.
Other concerns included the project's design, specifically the use of asphalt for driveways rather than concrete. Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on the environment and the local water supply.
A second project approved by the board was a new Raising Cane's restaurant at 695 North Delsea Drive. The 3,321 square-foot restaurant will feature a dual drive-thru facility and necessitated conditional use approval as well as one variance for pavement coverage. The developer plans to reuse an existing sign on the corner of the property.