Court backs Voorhees law preventing ‘Super Wawa’

Camden County Superior Court Judge Francis J. Orlando ruled today that a Voorhees ordinance preventing a so-called "Super Wawa" from opening in the town's Kirkwood section was legal, according to the township.

"It's good news for the folks in Kirkwood," said Stuart Platt, solicitor for the planning board.

A 2006 application to turn a 3,000-square-foot Wawa at Burnt Mill Road and White Horse Road into a 4,700-square-foot store with a 10-pump gas station was resoundingly opposed by residents, who packed planning board meetings.

The board voted to deny the application based on access and traffic concerns and Wawa filed an appeal to Camden County Superior Court. A proposed settlement to build the facility on Route 73 also was rejected by the planning board.

The township committee then passed an ordinance that prohibits dual gas stations and convenience stores in the affected Kirkwood business zone. That ordinance was upheld yesterday by Orlando.