Wouldn't it have been nice to have a picture of the Stathis family? They are the ones who are actually building Rails.

This is going to be terrrific!

What will the added traffic, congestion, potential crime from a "hang out" and lack of on site parking do to the quality of life for Towaco residents?

Dad El

Its obvious that Ms. Decroce has no idea what the train & bus schedules are like or she never would have made the comment below. The train runs in one direction in the morning and one direction at night. Even then, the schedule is so limited you couldn't see a broadway show and expect to be able to take the train back to Towaco.

I also agree that creating a "hang out" is not necessarily a good thing. Usually a downtown is in some center part of a town, We have strip malls all over Montville and Towaco, none of them has created a "downtown" like the committee members are so keen to see be built. We aren't a destination and I think most of us that have lived here for 20+ years like it that way.

Several officials spoke about what the project means for the economy and the jobs the development will provide in both the construction phase and afterwards. DeCroce said projects like these are imperative to saving New Jersey's economy, but that particularly in Montville, this development could also enhance the quality of life for residents. She described a scenario where a couple may want to see a Broadway show in Manhattan and enjoy a meal at Rails and do some shopping at Towaco Crossing before boarding a train at the Towaco train station.

It would be great if there were weekend trains to Hoboken and Manhattan.

What about the aquifer? Remember years ago when the plans first came up? Many people were against building all of this including the residential units. When this came up I believe it was about the time there were talks about redistricting for the schools. Instead additions were made. Now, we have the aquifer and our drinking water in jeopardy, residences squished in, traffic, and people hanging around our residential areas. Bad idea. It is nice the way it is!

Sounds like a great project for Montville, best wishes

It'll be nice to have something resembling a "Main Street," similar to Madison or Montclair. That stretch of 202 seems so...desolate? I hope this leads to something being done at the corner of 202 and Jacksonville. Anything. As far as trains go, the lack of them west of Montclair State is irrelevant. Outside of major cities, people aren't programmed to take trains anymore, especially not locally.

So the project is six apartments, six retail units, and a 110 seat restaurant/bar with another 34 outdoor seats. In return for that the Township Committee entered into an agreement reducing water and sewer connection fees dated May 24, 2011 and signed by Mayor Sandham. This because the developer objected to the calculated connection fees. How many dollars did we give away??

While all this is happenning, our residents on the Plausha Park water system in Towaco are being told they have to foot the bill for water connections and construction to the tune of almost 10k per household.

See the devil's in the details as usual. summertime seating is 144 including the outside seating of 34. 6 apartments, six stores. but what is the issue with the sewer and water connection fees. Apparently the developer has more influance than the 60 homes in Towaco who not only aren't getting a break but are also asked to pay for the pipes in the road as well.

Please put in a Starbucks and a Pinkberr!y

Sure, let's put the business that is there out of business. That should help things.

That road is not Route 202. Rt 202 turns right at the firehouse and then left. This just means more truck traffic and stores that have a problem staying in business because there's not enough traffic. I agree with the other person who wrote if you want a downtown then move to a town that has one. And why aren't the residents who are getting the raw end of the deal with the MUA hiring a lawyer to get the same deal Rails got. It's time we voted in some new people on the Twp committee. Maybe we should look into term limits to get new people involved in local govt.

Everyone is getting off subject. Can't we just be happy for the people who are starting businesses here in Montville? I wish them much success and can't wait to dine in the restaurant and patronize the stores.

We are so lucky that this developer is going to build such a unique project-Quaint, Rustic, timberframe buidling -OMG. Clearly they are building something something special that will only enhance our beautiful town. Most developers would be focused on building something utilitarian like every other strip mall in town. This is going to be something very special-did i say that already? I wish them tremendous success. Can't wait for my first Steak - Hurry up already!!!

You got to check out their plans.
http://www.towacocrossing.com/index.php/plans.

I just took a look at the plans - where are the "hoards of people" going to park? I see one rendering with one car that appears to be traveling under a porte cochere.

"All of the speakers made it clear in their remarks their hope and confidence that once constructed, Towaco Crossing will become a "destination" for not only Montville residents, but residents from throughout the county."

Has anyone taken into account that many streets will be burdened by the traffic and more speeding cars?
If you are excited about this, then you must not live in this neighborhood.

Tina, we're all aware of 'requirements', but waivers are regularly granted for non-conformity, just as there's a 30' height restriction for building in town and yet the published plans are showing a height above that. I'm not taking issue with that, just pointing out that the old axiom "rules are made to be broken" has been wholeheartedly embraced.
Wally, the buildings are nice, agreed, but they're not awe-inspiring, award-worthy architectural creations. And even if they were, there are still other issues that have absolutely no bearing on the architectural design. (except that we'll have something pretty to look at while sitting in traffic)

I like the smell of steak in the morning... it smells like.... rateables.

It is approved, so let's hope for their success. The one thing I know for sure is that there were hearings at which the public could speak. I will say however I am interested in what concessions were made for sewer and water fees while sixty homes less than a mile from there are forced to pay what no one else ever had to pay. I know a lot of people are concerned about "Their traffic" "Their congestion" but it would be nice to see some concern for their neighbors problems and how their neighbors are treated by the Governing Body.

Other roads do exist, not just Changebridge. Whitehall, Pine Brook, Barney, Two Bridges, Main,Jacksonville, Waugaw, etc. These roads all need to be taken into account. Cars speed through these roads to begin with.

Lot of "glass half empty" people in Montville. If we stop building we decay. New is good, change is good. If you live in a house, on a road you should not complain about improvements; if you live in a teepee in Towaco and read by candlelight you have every right to complain. Me I hope to enjoy a nice buffalo burger at Rails that someone else killed and cooked, I will however be happy to share a smoke from your peace pipe in your teepee. :)