Gas Station Developer Now Owns 528 Monroe Turnpike

Monroe Gas LLC, a developer planning to build a gas station for Stop & Shop Supermarket at 528 Monroe Turnpike, recently purchased the property from David Sippin — who owned it under the entity 528 Monroe Turnpike LLC — for $800,000, according to the property transfer filed at the Town Clerk's Office.

A previous special permit application and site plan before the Planning & Zoning Commission appeared to be on track for approval before Town Planning Administrator Will Agresta noticed a mistake on the map, leading to a withdrawal of the plan.

However, packets for a new application have been filed in the Land Use area of Monroe Town Hall and a new P&Z hearing will soon be scheduled.

The five-bay and 10-pump gas station had faced strong opposition from neighbors concerned over flooding, from Aquarion Water Co. and environmentalists who believe it should not be built so close to a drinking water aquifer, and from Bernard Prushko, who owns the Shell station right next door.

Prushko's attorney had filed a lawsuit challenging an approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Stephen Studer, the attorney for Monroe Gas LLC, touts the gas station as a place for customers of the Monroe Stop & Shop to save money on gas with points accumulated on their store cards. Experts for the applicant have testified to the state-of-the-art safety features to prevent leaks and to contain any spills.