Ban 24-Hour Stores From Residential Areas, Resident Says

When an all-night 7-Eleven convenience store was proposed for the intersection of Main Street and Finderne Avenue, some nearby residents were concerned.

Though the proposal's variances from township zoning ordinances led the zoning board to deny the application, Morgan Place resident Virginia Schrum asked the Bridgewater Township Council to take a step further and restrict the hours of operations for businesses near residential areas.

"We have a certain quality of life here and I think that having the 24/7 operations in town does impact that," she told council members at the Nov. 7 meeting. 

She said the traffic and lighting accompanying a 24-hour business within 200 feet of residential areas would detract from the quality in life for residents.

She added during the zoning board hearing on the 7-Eleven proposal, the attorney representing the developer said unless an ordinance bans it, the board cannot restrict the business hours.

"I think that it's something we should consider," Schrum added. 

Council President Christine Rose asked Township Attorney William Savo to look into an ordinance.