No Domestic Violence Shelter in Middletown

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Petition to the Township of Middletown, New Jersey to oppose the building of a Domestic Violence Shelter

Subject: Opposition of the proposed Domestic Violence Shelter on Magnolia Lane

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, OPPOSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER ON MAGNOLIA LANE IN MIDDLETOWN, NEW JERSEY.

The applicant, 180 Turning Lives Around, proposes to construct a 20,140 sq. ft. 2-story structure (with basement) Domestic Violence shelter with associated parking areas, walkways, lighting and landscaping improvements. The shelter will consist of twelve (12) residential units, each unit consisting of a sleeping area with bath facilities. Each unit will accommodate sleeping arrangements for one (1) victim of domestic violence and up to (3) children from anywhere in the state.

I) THE PROPOSED USE WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DETRIMENT TO THE PUBLIC GOOD AND SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE INTENT OF THE ZONE.

Quality of life in Middletown will change dramatically. This could cause an increase in taxes, as township resources (police, fire, first aid, etc.) will be used without the shelter paying taxes (without rateables being collected).

According to 180 Turning Lives Around, the average length of stay in this shelter is 60 90 days. It is highly likely that the children housed at the shelter will attend the Middletown School system, DISRUPTING ESTABLISHED CLASSROOMS already in progress with potentially 36 children arriving in and out throughout the school year.

Do you think that this would NOT adversely affect Middletowns strong academic standing in the state?

The neighborhood could also be open to predators, and the women staying in such a shelter may not be safe, as noted in this article (copy and paste link in your browser):

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/43031/staying_safe_in_a_womens_shelter.html

II) SHELTERS FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE NOT A PERMITTED USE IN A B-2 ZONE DISTRICT.

This proposal will require a major zoning change on Magnolia Lane which currently has eight residential homes on it. Magnolia Lane is a quiet, tree lined dead-end street. Magnolia Lane is an unimproved road less than 25 feet across in most places, with as little as 12 feet wide in some. Circulation for delivery vehicles and sanitation vehicles would be impossible for this proposed site on Magnolia Lane.

III) A USE VARIANCE OR A ZONING CHANGE OF THIS MAGNITUDE WILL SET PRECEDENCE FOR THIS TYPE OF NON-CONFORMING USE TO BE ALLOWED ANYWHERE IN MIDDLETOWN.

For updated information email: NoShelterInMiddletown@gmail.com

61 Signatures

  • Karen Pastuzyn
    • Address
    • 151 Magnolia Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • David Hollabaugh
    • Address
    • 151 Magnolia La, Middletown
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Erica Dallas
    • Address
    • 161 Magnolia Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • This is unsafe to bring into a residential area for the residents and children living in the surrounding area. It also places a huge strain on the community including the school system, first aid, and police officers. Don't change the zoning to allow this hazard into our community.
  • Paul Merces
    • Zip Code
    • 07733
    • Comments
    • Zoning should not be changed; this does not belong in a residential neighborhood!
  • c english
    • Address
    • 61 bonnie drive
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Donna Barry
    • Address
    • Nottingham Way
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Charles Barry
    • Address
    • Nottingham Way
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Eileen Toomey
    • Zip Code
    • 07718
  • Barbara Tucker
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Tara Carloni
    • Address
    • 113 Concord Ave.
    • Zip Code
    • 07737
    • Comments
    • This doesn't belong near a daycare or in a residential neighborhood. It is not safe for the people living in that area.
  • susan salvaggio
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • maryann kilar
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Bill Vallely
    • Zip Code
    • 07730
  • John Pierce
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Beth Pierce
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Stephanie Wagner
    • Address
    • 156 Magnolia Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • I am very sympathetic to the battered women. However, I feel the neighborhood should not be jeopardized nor should should my children's safety and education. My children will have to walk past this daily to get to their bus stop. Children will be coming in and out of the school system disrupting classes already in session because families cannot be there for more 90 days.
  • Karen Hopkins
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Jason Wagner
    • Address
    • 156 Magnolia Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • The street is not zoned for this type of massive structure, this is a quiet small residential block that can not handle such a large project, not to mention is is not zoned for this
  • Sharon Pezarras
    • Zip Code
    • 07733
  • Rosemary Galbreath
    • Zip Code
    • 07753
    • Comments
    • There is a similiar shelter in my town. It is on a main highway and not near residences. I believe for the safety of all involved it she be in a more open area.
  • Len Skoblar
    • Address
    • 101 Apple Blossom Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • The zoning should be returned to its original state and the kennel should be abolished as well.
  • Carolyn Salerno
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Maureen A Skoblar
    • Address
    • 101 Apple Blossom Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07022
  • Linda Morrill
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Richard Morrill
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Kristin Zawistowski
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • We live in Middletown because it is a safe and quiet residential neighborhood. We are upstanding citizens who work hard in order to maintain this quality of life. The proposed shelter will severely impair our communitys safety. The shelter should be constructed in an unpopulated district equipped with the proper zoning.
  • Louis Brizzi
    • Address
    • 31 devonshire court
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • we do not need it there to private to small
  • John Meyer
    • Address
    • 186 Cherry Tree Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Laura Fox
    • Address
    • 51 Nottingham Way Middletown NJ
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • This needs to be stopped, for the safety of our children. This has the protental to bring in some very violent individuals into our neighborhoods. Also the environmental inpact of cutting down what little woods are left in our area. The deer and small animals will be forced into everyones backyards as they will have no place left to go. This street is a very small family friendly quiet dead end. Why would the township even consider putting up a building of that size on it ? This must be stopped.
  • Sam Fox
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Paul Fox
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Taylor Fox
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Dawn
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Lora Fox
    • Zip Code
    • 17582
  • Dana Deliso
    • Address
    • 12 Devonshire Ct
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Joseph Deliso
    • Address
    • 12 Devonshire Ct
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Leslie Bell
    • Address
    • 1133 Old Bush River Road
    • Zip Code
    • 29036
  • chris scolaro
    • Zip Code
    • 11786
    • Comments
    • good shelter -- wrong location!
  • Lisa Timmons
    • Zip Code
    • 07758
  • Eileen Snyder
    • Zip Code
    • 17032
    • Comments
    • My deceased sister did not intend this for her daughter and grandchildren. I know this area and I feel that my niece and her children would be put at risk if this shelter were to be placed in this area - I also feel strongly that zoning should not be manipulated to accomidate nonconforming populations into established neighborhoods.
  • Miriam Plack
    • Zip Code
    • 17601
  • Deborah Meyer
    • Address
    • 186 Cherry Tree Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Mary Pat Harrington
    • Address
    • 174 Cherry Tree Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
    • Comments
    • I regularly support this agency and think that their work is crucial. However, Magnolia Lane is not the place for this type of facility. There are too many woods backing up to our homes for violent men to be right in our backyards. An open more pulic area is more appropriate.
  • Robert Johnson
    • Address
    • 8 Cherry Tree Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Tara McCormick
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Justina Fox
    • Address
    • 1944 water st, Washington Boro, Pa
    • Zip Code
    • 17582
    • Comments
    • I grew up in middletown NJ and I would not wish for them to put this here, It is putting all of my family and friends in more danger than what they already are. Would you really want All that violence and drama on a Nice quiet dead end street. Also if the trucks cannot get in and out of the road to do what they need to do, imagine what your doing the to businesses there.
  • John and Michelle Macrae
    • Address
    • 44 Devonshire Court
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Richard And Jill Wedinger
    • Address
    • 11 Devonshire Court
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Dawn M Gervase
    • Zip Code
    • 07748
  • Anne Ciappina
    • Address
    • 12 Canterbury Court
    • Zip Code
    • 07748