Tinton Falls Proposed Warehouse Criticized By Sierra Club

TINTON FALLS, NJ — Update: The Tinton Falls planning board canceled their Wednesday night meeting on the warehouse, because so many people showed up against it that there was not enough room for social distancing. The rescheduled date is TBD.

The New Jersey Sierra Club says the proposed construction of a major shipping and receiving warehouse in Tinton Falls will "destroy wetlands and cause major flooding."

The property, known as "Twinbrook," is located at 1251 Jumping Brook Road in Tinton Falls. The applicant is William Sitar, a managing member of W&M Associates, LLC.

The proposed site is 50 acres directly to the right of Jumping Brook, which flows into the Jumping Brook Reservoir and Shark River. The warehouse would be built in an area that's mostly residential, with some stores in the area.

If Tinton Falls allows it, Sitar seeks to build a 113,016-square-foot shipping and receiving warehouse there, known as a "last mile distribution center." He would also build a parking lot, truck loading area and van parking areas.

Sitar has an application before the Tinton Falls planning board and he is seeking final approval at the Wednesday, October 14 planning board meeting. In order to build it, he needs to be approved for an abundance of variances, including filling in wetlands.

“This is a big industrial warehouse that will cause more water pollution, air pollution and truck traffic for the area," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

"The large amount of impervious cover (black-top surfaces) from the warehouse will cause major stormwater runoff and flooding issues," he predicted.

“Tinton Falls should not let W&M Associates fill in existing freshwater wetlands. Wetlands are critical for the environment. Industrial development like a warehouse will not only consume large tracts of land but bring in freight trucks that generate air pollution, noise pollution, and traffic safety issues. This tract of land is also right next to Jumping Brook. A 2.6-acre facility will increase impervious cover, causing more runoff, flooding in pollution to the river," warned Tittel.

This matter is presently scheduled to be heard by the Borough of Tinton Falls Planning Board at their regularly scheduled meeting on October 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Tinton Falls municipal building.