Group Petition to Zoning Board of Adjustment

Re: Application No. 2016-32PFSPV filed with the Zoning Board Of adjustment by NJ Energy Corporation, LLC (7-Eleven)

2/4//2017

We, the residents of Livingston are unanimously opposed to the plan to build 3-rd 7-Eleven in Livingston at 226 W. Northfield Road (Block 4500 Lot 1).

We believe having this business in a residential area will be a detriment to its neighbors and create quality of life and safety issues.

Below are concerns and objections.

1. Increased traffic will contribute to the congestion on the already busy intersection.

2. Spillover parking on Hillside Ave will make for hazardous conditions on a street that is too narrow to accommodate additional parking.

3. Increased traffic will put children in the three surrounding schools at higher risk. Northfield and Hillside intersection is already a high traffic area requiring a crossing guard.

4. The 24 hours nature of the business will be a nuisance to neighbors by creating noise and light pollution.

5. There are sanitary concerns from the dumpsters, potentially resulting in a vermin breeding ground.

6. The development is also proposing cutting down 24 existing trees and replacing them with shrubbery and many fewer trees. According to the landscape architect of the interested party (7-Eleven), it will take at least 15 years for the new trees to grow to the size of trees currently on the site. This will further contribute to the noise pollution from Northfield Avenue, not to mention the environmental and aesthetic impact

7. We fail to see how this heavy burden on the neighborhood is justified when is another 7-Eleven location within just one mile of this location.

These and other aspects of the project negatively impact the neighborhood and surrounding properties, diminishing property values, and are inconsistent with existing properties.

As much as we would like to see this lot put to use, we want it to be done in a responsible and thoughtful way, taking into consideration the neighbors and surrounding area.

We hope you will take these concerns seriously and are anxious to discuss our concerns with you, our elected officials.

We thank you for your consideration and your help.