Toms River Ordinance Would Vacate Street to Configure New Wawa Entrance

Route 37 near Germania Court. (Google Earth)

An ordinance introduced by the Toms River Township council last week would see the township vacate a street along Route 37 so another roadway could be built that would provide safer access to a proposed Wawa store.

The governing body unanimously introduced the ordinance that would vacate the public interest in Germania Court between Route 37 West and Wren Place in favor of an extension of Wren Place that would create new access to the state highway. The new roadway would be engineered, built and paid for by the developer of the Wawa that has been proposed for the large vacant lot along Route 37, which backs up to Wren Place.

“I want the people to understand that we’re not just giving this away for nothing,” said Councilman Robert Bianchini, reiterating that the owner of the parcel under consideration for development would fund all of the costs related to a new road that would provide safer access to the adjacent neighborhood as well as what would be a Wawa market.

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If the portion of Germania Court is vacated, in exchange, a portion of the private lot that abuts it would in turn be dedicated to the township. A smaller Wawa without a gas station is located near the property on the opposite side of Oak Ridge Parkway, which the developer is likely looking to replace with a larger store.

“This is really a question as to whether the council is okay with it,” said Mayor Daniel Rodrick. “From what I understand, in order to build, they need that portion of the street. If the council wants to allow the Wawa to be built, their plan calls for this. If the council doesn’t want to, it’s your decision.”

Council President David Ciccozzi voted in favor of the introducing the ordinance, but said the final decision does not completely rest with the council.

“They are going to be building, basically, a new road to Route 37 with better access at their expense,” said Ciccozzi. “But this is not a done deal. It has to go through the county and the state, and the planning board.”

The ordinance will be subject to a public hearing and second vote at the March 25, 2026 township council meeting, the text of the document said.