As reported on NJ.com: Developer nixes plan for Wawa in South Jersey after uproar from neighbors. Read more here.
On December 21, 2022, Hortense Associates, owner of the Barclay Farms Shopping Center, in consultation with Wawa, withdrew its application for a super Wawa with 16 fueling dispensers.

The application had been submitted pre-pandemic; organized opposition began in earnest in July 2021.

Much changed in Cherry Hill during the lengthy planning and review process.

• On September 13, 2021, Cherry Hill council members unanimously approved a resolution condemning the removal of the landscaped medians at the West Gate Dr. & Rt. 70 intersection

• On September 12, 2022, Cherry Hill Township amended conditions associated with gasoline stations as conditional principal uses in the Highway Business (B2) and Shopping Center Business (B3) zones to require:

  - A minimum lot size of one (1) acre (43,560 square feet)

  - The gasoline service station shall be the sole principal use permitted on the lot or parcel.

  - Food preparation/kitchen facilities and/or fast-food services/restaurants shall not be permitted on the same lot or parcel as a gasoline service station or on an adjoining lot or parcel in conjunction with the a gasoline service station. 

Even with adequate acreage, any new application for a mixed use operation such as a Royal Farms, Sheetz, Buc-ee's or a super Wawa in the B2 or B3 zone anywhere in Cherry Hill requires variances to meet the amended conditional use criteria.

Speculation with regard to Wawa "coming back" or shifting to the intersection of Brace & Kresson Roads at Conte Brothers Automotive and the adjacent strip mall is baseless rumormongering.

HOW DID WE PREVAIL?

• Concerned Barclay-Kingston residents, with help from multiple civic associations and community donations, retained land use attorney Jeffrey Baron of Baron & Brennan P.A.

• Mr. Baron facilitated negotiations with Hortense Associates and Wawa developers, which resulted in a proposal to "flip" the convenience store with the gas pumps, an offer of green space and other concessions

• Elimination of fueling stations, an essential element of the Wawa business model as it drives traffic to the location, was not an option

• Residents dug in, resolving to fight for health, safety, community character and neighborhood values

• Lawn signs proliferated, constituents wrote letters, made phone calls, sent emails, contributed resources and spoke at council meetings to make their voices heard

• We could not have stopped this without YOUR help

How YOU can help 

• This particular fight is over, but commercial encroachment on residential areas is an ongoing issue so we must remain vigilant

• Engaged residents can attend/view Cherry Hill council meetings in person or via Zoom

• Residents may also attend/view all planning board and zoning board meetings, where changes are most likely to impact quality of life

• Share your concerns with Cherry Hill Township Mayor & Council

• Ask Assemblyman Lou Greenwald, Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt and Senator James Beach to represent you 

• Testify at planning and zoning board hearings

• Share this email; like, share and follow us on Facebook @preservebarclay and Instagram