Letter to the Editor

Barbara Habeeb had the following letter published in the Courier-News on Saturday. To send a letter to the editor, e-mail it to cnletter@c-n.com

With everyone talking “green” these days, it’s a shame that the Borough of North Plainfield doesn’t jump on the bandwagon.

The mayor and borough council now have the perfect opportunity to rethink the use of the Villa Maria property since a judge overturned the ordinance they created to allow condos to be built on that site. It is currently zoned for single-family homes.

Because North Plainfield is already densely populated, it would make sense to preserve and utilize at least some of that land as a “green acres park” rather than develop the land with condos. We still have the chance to protect our environment by saving those beautiful trees and preserving the natural habitat for wildlife.

If the town allows a developer to build condos on that property, it will throw off the balance of our ecosystem. With the loss of trees and land, it will create more flooding. Deer will have no place to go and will find their way to Route 22. Then it becomes a safety issue. Not to mention the increase in traffic. More cars, more congestion, more pollution.

It would be really nice to have a place right in our own town where people can go to relax, watch birds and enjoy nature, without breathing in carbon monoxide fumes. It’s not too late. Please, Mayor Allen, Mr. Hollod and borough council, listen to the voice of the people. Do the right thing. Go “green.” It will benefit all of us.

Barbara Habeeb
North Plainfield