JACKSON, NJ – An environmental study performed by Stonefield Engineering and Design, LLC has found that Glory’s Market, located on Cedar Swamp Road had illegally built a parking lot in protected wetlands. The study was performed in advance of the demolition of the corner bodega to make way for a modern gas station and retail plaza.
The environmental study was performed ahead of the proposed plan to demolish Glory’s Market and replace it with a gas station, convenience store, and liquor store.
The developer of the property has agreed to revegetate the wetlands illegally cleared and filled in with gravel by the owners of Glory’s Market.
“The existing site consists of a one-story “Glory’s Market” liquor store with a small asphalt parking lot and a larger gravel parking lot. Part of the existing gravel parking lot was constructed illegally within a wetland transition area. Under the proposed development plan, the existing building, pavement, and gravel will be cleared, including the illegally disturbed areas which will be revegetated,” the study says. “The proposed development includes the construction of three one-story commercial buildings, a fuel sales canopy, and supporting improvements inclusive of parking facilities, landscaping, utilities, site lighting, stormwater management facilities.”
According to the document, the site will also include a canopy fuel station, a general store, liquor store, retail store and a billboard.
RELATED: Lakewood Style Digital Billboards Coming to Jackson?
The developer now has to contend with the wetlands disturbance to move forward on the project.
“There are wetlands on-site per the NJDEP’s Letter of Interpretation: Line Verification issued on October 6, 2017. They encompass the western half of the site and extend eastward to a point approaching and occasionally encroaching on the existing limits of disturbance,” the report showed. “A small segment of the wetlands near the northern property line has been classified as being of ordinary value and the remainder has been classified as exceptional value.”
Prior to 1989, a massive intrusion into the wetlands was performed by the owners of the property against New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection restrictions. That intrusion included the clearing of sensitive environmentally projected wetlands and the construction of a large gravel parking lot in place of the wetlands.
According to historic aerials, prior to 1989, the wetlands were preserved and the business was in legal compliance with the NJ DEP.
Over the years, the illegally cleared and built parking lot expansion has been used as a park and ride, truck stop and now has storage container units located on it.
According to state records, Dreamview LLC is owned by George Glory.