Wawa real estate executive grilled by Scotch Plains residents at Zoning Board Meeting

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Before yet another packed crowd of local residents united against a proposed Wawa convenience store and gas station on Route 22, the Scotch Plains Zoning Board heard testimony from Irv Zeller, New Jersey Regional Real Estate manager.

"My job is finding sites and working with real estate brokers to grow our brand. We obviously want to expand," explained Zeller, an engaging witness whose mood began to sour as the questioning dragged on. "We think we have a great offer."

Zeller, a former store manager who has worked for Wawa for more than 21 years, explained that the corporation targets sites by looking at the competitive landscape, traffic volume and demographics of an area. He was peppered with questions regarding delivery trucks, illegal idling, site selection criteria, security, signage, traffic flow and benefits that the company will bring to the community.

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