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Hartz unveils Edison plan
Mixed-use project would go up on former Ford site
Home News Tribune Online 01/24/06

By GINA VERGEL
STAFF WRITERgvergel@thnt.com

EDISON — Peach Court resident Joe Chorilla was not the least bit impressed with what developers have in mind for the former Ford plant site and he let them know it.

"It's uniquely boring," Chorilla said at a Township Council work session last night. "To have big-box stores anchoring the property is willfully ignorant and purposely dull."

Chorilla was one of about 25 residents who voiced their opinions on a preliminary site plan for "Edison Towne Square," which Hartz Mountain Industries unveiled at last night's meeting. The Secaucus-based developer announced the purchase the 102-acre tract in 2004 and is requesting the council rezone the industrial site for mixed-use development.

Hartz is proposing to build two 130,000-square-foot big-box stores, retail space, a multiscreen movie theater, several restaurants, a 150-room hotel, a 100,000-square-foot office building and age-restricted housing.

The site's main entrance would be on Route 1 south, but Hartz' proposed a secondary entrance on Vineyard Road.

"It's not a mall," said Walter Smith, Hartz' executive vice president. "We want people to park their cars, walk around, go to lunch, go to a store and go to a movie. We want them to feel like it's the center of town."

The proposed 275 units of age-restricted housing was a topic that came up several times last night.

"We know housing is a sensitive issue in this town," Smith said. "But it would be age-restricted housing so they would not generate children. This is an excellent buffer for the residential area on that side."

Smith also said Hartz plans to donate 2.8 acres of the tract to the township. "For whatever (the township) feels is appropriate."

Some neighborhood residents expressed their displeasure with the plan, predicting traffic nightmares on Vineyard Road and Route 1. Others questioned the need for senior housing and a movie theater. But mostly, residents griped about the big-box stores.

"We said we didn't want a Wal-Mart," said Arnol Singer of Pheasant Run, referring to a August 2004 meeting Hartz held at the Clarion Inn. When Smith assured there woul be n Wal-art, Singer asked, "Is it the father of Wal-Mart? A Sam's Club?"

Smith said Hartz has talked to Sam's Club in addition to several major retailers, but nothing has been inked yet.

"This isn't a formal plan. This is what we would like to see," said Smith. "It's why we're looking to the council to rezone the property."

Councilman Peter Barnes III said the council will try to meet the needs of the citizens.
"We haven't made up our minds," he said.

Councilman Anthony Massaro said there is still a long wa to go in the future of the site.
"We need to deal with the issue of the Master Plan, the concept of open space, and there needs to be a way to enter this place if you're going northbound on Route 1," he said.

Councilman Charles Tomaro, who lives one block from Vineyard Road, said the proposed entrance on that road concerned him.

Before the meeting, Mayor Jun Choi said it was beneficial for the township to redevelop the site.
"It will bring tax breaks," he said.

Choi also said he was open to the idea of age-restricted housing. "We have a need for housing for the senior community in Edison," he said.

Ford Motor Co's Edison assembly plant closed in February 2004 after more than 50 years of operation.

Hartz Mountain Industries' purchase price has not been disclosed.

Hartz has developed similar shopping and entertainment centers in Secaucus, Weehawken and Jersey City.