Visco project will enhance Dismal Swamp
As a Central Jersey resident for 30 years, I have enjoyed visits to the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area. As a builder for many years, I also appreciate the value of measures to protect the environment for posterity. This paper has recently published articles that make unfair representations of land development projects and ignore contributions made by developers to preserve and enhance environmental areas such as the Dismal Swamp.

Land development, such as the Visco project in Edison, can proceed without destroying natural habitat. The proposed 13.9-acre project is not developing that portion of the property that is in the Dismal Swamp (5.5 acres). It is developing the upland area adjacent to it (8.4 acres), with protections to decrease the runoff to the Swamp. The project will deed to the township, for open space, the 5.5 acres of land which is adjacent to the other lands deeded to the township, for open space, fromprevious developments. These deed lands establish the limits of the Dismal Swamp in this area.

The previously approved adjacent development, Edison Tyler Estates, established the limits of the Swamp at about the time of the creation of the Edison Wetlands Association and the establishment of the Tripe C Ranch environmental area. That 1,000-unit development did not destroy the Swamp Conservation Area, but, in fact, it identified it and improved upon it.

The term "overdevelopment" is often used by those who object to any disturbance to any land at any time to describe any scope of the development. There is no reason to conclude that development of property, in conformance with established zoning regulations and other land-use rules, is overdevelopment. The zoning regulations were established with consideration for a community's needs for a mixture of residential, commercial and industrial development, as well as its needs for public lands, open space and protection of the environment. Opponents to land disturbance would refer to the development throughout Edison Township as overdevelopment. I would counter that by saying the way Edison has developed over the years has resulted in creating one of the most desirable communities in the state in which to live, work, and raise families. The planners and zoners of the community have done an excellent job at providing the right balance for land use. The proposed development strikes that balance: a small house of worship and four single-family lots, all allowed by township zoning regulations.

The Dismal Swamp existed before Edison Township was established. The Swamp will still be there after the Visco project is completed withmore land donated to its preservation by Mrs. Visco.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protect (NJDEP) has established guidelines for protection of all wetlands areas, and the Visco application has complied with those requirements. The limits of wetlands on the property have been established, general permits and a Stream Encroachment Permit have been issued, and NJDEP approval has been obtained for the installation of accepted methods of controlling the quantity and quality of runoff, from the upland (improved) portion of the property to the protected wetland (Dismal Swamp) portion of the property.

The proposed Visco development has been designed with special consideration for the protection of adjacent environmentally sensitive areas. The application is not only providing additional acreage to the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area, but it is also providing a means for access to possible future walking trails through the conservation area, which the township can establish. This will be a fine community asset along with a house of worship.
Mitchel Migdat
Edison