The fight over a massive warehouse proposal in South Jersey is now heading to court. A group of Harrison Township residents on Wednesday sued their local government, claiming that the town’s master plan was illegally updated to allow new warehouses to be built in the rural community. Now a North Jersey-based developer plans to build a 2-million-square-foot warehouse complex in the town, on what is currently farmland. That proposal has stirred up anger among neighbors, who argue such a warehouse would flood the area with heavy truck traffic and harm their quality of life. Locals opposed to the plan showed up en masse to a town land use board meeting on Thursday night, where officials were scheduled to vote and approve the plan. The meeting was postponed and it’s unclear when the vote will be rescheduled.
Residents sue their local government over warehouse plan
They argue a warehouse would flood the area with truck traffic and harm their quality of life
Raven Santana is an award-winning journalist with a passion for serving New Jersey’s diverse communities and a highly respected member of her own. Santana has served as correspondent/sub-anchor for NJ Spotlight News since 2018. She’s reported on the state’s business climate, health care issues, undocumented workers legislation and more. She also hosts New Jersey Business Beat with Raven Santana on NJ PBS. The first woman of color in that role, she has made it a mission to focus on often-overlooked aspects of business, from BIPOC ownership to gaps in equity and inclusion. Her recent accolades include being recognized in 2023 as part of COLOR Magazine's Power 40 Under 40 list, and in Perth Amboy Free Public Library’s 2nd Annual Women’s History Month Celebration, where she received a mayoral citation and the NJ Senate/General Assembly presented her with a Joint Legislative Resolution. She also serves on The WNET Group’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion council and is vice president of The Second Street Youth Center, based in Plainfield.