Amanda Oglesby

@OglesbyAPP

BRICK - Wawa may be a favorite staple in New Jersey, but residents of the Lake Riviera section of Brick are urging the Board of Adjustment to reject a proposal to build another store in the township.

Brick 70 Developers LLC is seeking to build a Wawa and a quick-stop restaurant with a drive-through on nearly 5 acres off eastbound Route 70 by North Lake Shore Drive. Nearby residents worry existing traffic congestion will worsen under the plan.

"We can't get out of Lake Riviera," said Diane Dowlen, who has lived in the neighborhood for 48 years.

She said the proposed project would make for more traffic problems.

WEATHER: Should you be worried about the snow Friday?

Brick 70 Developers is seeking a variety of variances to build a 5,585-square foot Wawa with fuel pumps and a 4,813-square-foot quick-service restaurant on 4.97 acres; 5 acres is required. The developer is seeking other variances for lot width near North Lake Shore Drive and for setbacks and signs, among other issues.

"It's too many variances for a small area," said Bill Nilan, 81, of Lake Riviera, who attended the meeting with his wife, Sandy.

They said traffic will be far worse through North Lake Shore Drive and Duquesne Boulevard if the Wawa and restaurant are approved.

POLITICS: Flood insurance surcharge to fund Donald Trump's wall raised at hearing

Traffic concerns are also reflected in an engineering report by engineering firm CME Associates, which said car volume is already high on both streets.

In all, more than 50 residents and objectors attended the Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, where many wore green to show their opposition to the plan. Antipathy for the proposal has fueled months of raucous Board of Adjustment meetings and given rise to an active Facebook community devoted to the cause.

Even attorneys on both sides of the issued exchanged barbs during testimony. Attorney Vincent Sanzone aimed to convince the board to reject the proposal – his family's property is adjacent to to the planned Wawa. Sanzone accused the developer's attorney John Jackson of badgering his witness and sister, Dr. Diane Sanzone, whom he called to testify about ecological concerns on the site.

In return, Jackson accused Vincent Sanzone of trying to filibuster the meeting through prolonged and redundant questions.

At other moments, Vincent Sanzone began yelling at the board as he accused its attorney of blocking his testimony and questions.

"The master plan should not be eviscerated," he said, adding that the proposal would be a "nightmare" for nearby residents.

Trumpcare in NJ: What's in it for you?

The audience waited nearly four hours to voice their opinions on the plan. Unable to hear all the statements and questions of the public that evening, the board announced it would continue the hearing on March 22.

Amanda Oglesby: 732-557-5701; aoglesby@GannettNJ.com