MICHELLE MANGIAMELE

For 53 years, Steven Darter shared life's greatest moments, everyday joys and unexpected challenges with his wife, Diane. She was his best friend, his...

A year ago, Abby Koch was questioning whether she would ever find a career that truly made her happy. Today, the Voorhees artist is...

For Cinnaminson resident John Valadez, the journey to publishing his first novel began long before he ever imagined becoming an author. From traveling across the...

After more than a year of debate over traffic and safety concerns, plans for a new Super Wawa along the border of Voorhees and Berlin townships have reached a major milestone. The Voorhees Township Planning Board reconsidered the proposed development during its Oct. 14 meeting, following a legal dispute that previously stalled the project. The Wawa would be located along northbound Route 73 near Cooper Road, on a property spanning both municipalities. The proposal calls for a 5,915-square-foot convenience store and gas station on approximately 4.95 acres, with 12 fueling positions and 55 parking spaces. The location would operate 24 hours a day and include entrances and exits along Route 73 and Cooper Road.  The development has faced opposition from residents concerned about increased congestion and traffic safety, particularly along Cooper Road, where vehicles already experience delays during busy travel periods. Those concerns contributed to the Voorhees Planning Board's earlier rejection of the application in 2025. Developer NIKI-J&J Voorhees Cooper Partners LLC subsequently filed a lawsuit in Camden County Superior Court, arguing that the board's decision was not supported by the traffic evidence presented during the hearings. The legal challenge eventually led to a settlement requiring the developer to revise its plans to address traffic concerns and return to the planning board for reconsideration.  Under the revised proposal, improvements include extending the left-turn stacking lane on Cooper Road to accommodate additional vehicles and reduce potential backups. The plans also call for updated landscaping, preservation of existing trees and stormwater-management improvements intended to address runoff and groundwater recharge. The changes were designed to address some of the concerns raised during the earlier review process while allowing the development to proceed.  The project had already received approval from the Berlin Township Planning and Zoning Board on Aug. 18. Because the property crosses municipal boundaries, approvals from both municipalities were necessary. Most of the proposed convenience store and fueling stations would be located on the Berlin Township portion of the property, while the Voorhees portion includes access to Cooper Road. Berlin Township Mayor Phyllis Magazzu previously expressed support for the project, describing the proposed development as an improvement to the existing property. "Welcome to the Berlin Township business family, Wawa," Magazzu said following the August approval. "We're looking forward to seeing this project move forward and the positive impact it will have for our residents."  The proposal would redevelop property along the busy Route 73 corridor, where existing uses include a small commercial center and a residential property. The new Wawa would replace those structures with a larger convenience store and fueling facility.  Despite the proposed improvements, traffic remains a central concern for nearby residents, particularly those living along Forrest Hills Drive. During the original September 2025 hearing, resident Harry Garabedian described existing congestion on Cooper Road, warning that the development could add to an already difficult traffic situation. Other residents questioned whether drivers might use the Wawa property as a shortcut between Cooper Road and Route 73, potentially creating additional safety concerns.  The project illustrates the challenges municipalities face in balancing commercial development with traffic conditions and neighborhood concerns. Although the revised plans have advanced through the approval process, a construction timeline and anticipated opening date have not been announced. For residents and commuters traveling along Route 73, the proposed Wawa represents another potential addition to the area's commercial landscape, while questions about its effect on local traffic remain an important part of the discussion.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Harrison Twp. residents will go to the polls to vote for several candidates for the following open spaces: (1) township...

Long before online shopping, social media and same-day delivery, there was a place where South Jersey families could spend an entire afternoon exploring stores,...