Planning and Zoning Board applications and zoning updates

A special meeting. The township's notices of decision state that the Board adopted the Master Plan Reexamination Report dated 10/16/26 and found Ordinance #26-21, amending the Greymark Office Tract Redevelopment Plan, not inconsistent with the Master Plan, recommending it to the Council for adoption. The agenda also listed an extension of AR Bridgewater II LLC's prior approvals at 1041 Route 202/206. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

Regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The agenda lists the seventh hearing on Bridgewater Self Storage at Routes 22 and 28 and the Liquid Church resolution, which the township's notice says was adopted that night. TAPinto reported that the Board approved the storage application 5-2; LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting, and the Oct. 20 agenda lists the storage resolution as pending.

A short meeting with no hearings. The township's notices of decision state that the Board adopted memorializing resolutions for the LoPresti (26-003-PB) and Hogan (25-014-PB) approvals, and the minutes of January 20, March 31, April 21, May 5 and June 16 are each marked adopted or approved this date. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

Regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The agenda lists the sixth hearing on Bridgewater Self Storage at Routes 22 and 28, says the 1200 Route 22 warehouse hearing would not proceed, and lists resolutions for 136 Pine Street and Liquid Church. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

The Council awarded the emergency radio equipment contract to Motorola Solutions, up to $2,950,000, and introduced an ordinance adding streets to the snow emergency no-parking list, all 5-0. It also approved a backhoe purchase, The Clubhouse liquor license transfer, the KM Construction final change order and a one-year extension of the police chief's contract. Ring said his ordinance ending elected officials' health benefits was drafted for October 1.

The Board approved, 7-0, Liquid Church's conditional-use application to use the existing three-story office building at 430 Route 22 East, and, 7-0 with conditions, side-yard variances for a two-car garage at 136 Pine Street after a neighbor raised drainage. It adopted resolutions for 66 Finderne Avenue, 261 Leeham Street, Solar Landscape (Promenade) and Champion Real Estate Management.

The agenda listed a master plan consistency review of data center Ordinance #26-15 and two minor subdivisions. The township's notices of decision state that the Board approved, with conditions, the minor subdivisions for Briad (600 Corporate Boulevard) and Antonino LoPresti (120 Chestnut Street). LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting, so what the Board did on #26-15 is not yet known to LocalWhy.

The township's notices of decision state that the Board approved, with conditions, a D(1) use variance at 66 Finderne Avenue and an amended approval with a D(4) variance for Champion Real Estate Management at Route 28 and Milltown Road. The agenda also lists a Solar Landscape hearing for 100-145 Promenade Boulevard and three resolutions. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

With Isla absent, the Council adopted the omnibus Master Plan ordinance #26-14 and introduced a data center and hyperscale data center ordinance, each 4-0. Planner Sarmad said a concept plan filed with the 1200 Route 22 subdivision application was included in error and has no legal effect. The sewer utility director presented pump station and inflow work; the Van Veghten Drive paving contract was cut to its $784,430.75 base bid.

The agenda listed a master plan consistency review of the omnibus land-use ordinance (later Ord. 26-14, which the Council adopted two days later), the continued Cornell Boulevard housing hearing, Antonio LoPresti's minor subdivision and four resolutions. Patch reported that the Cornell Boulevard hearing was adjourned with no new date. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

Regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The agenda lists the third hearing on the 360 Milltown Road self-storage building and pending resolutions for CX Tower Leasing and 261 Leeham Street; it says the fourth Café Emilia hearing would not proceed and would be given a new date. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

With Isla absent, the Council adopted the fire hydrant snow-clearing ordinance #26-13, 4-0, and introduced the omnibus Master Plan ordinance, 4-0, with its data center language removed for later review. A listed repeal of the 1200 Route 22 redevelopment plan was taken off the agenda. Twelve residents spoke, most on data centers. The police chief reported a Bogart Drive speed study, and Visions and Pathways presented Bridge House.

The township's notice of decision states that the Board approved, with conditions, the Estate of Anita B. Hogan's preliminary and final major subdivision at 1700 Mountain Top Road; the memorializing resolution was adopted October 6, 2026. The agenda also listed the continued Cornell Boulevard housing hearing and Antonio LoPresti's minor subdivision. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

The Board approved, 6-0 with one abstention, a D(4) floor-area variance and bulk variances for a patio at 261 Leeham Street, and adopted two resolutions. The Rockland APV battery storage hearing continued with the applicant's engineer and fire-safety consultant, who described a 200-foot distance in the emergency plan; no members of the public were sworn, and the case was adjourned to Oct. 27.

The agenda listed the continued Cornell Boulevard affordable housing hearing (25-026-PB), Vincent Tropeano's minor subdivision at 15 Campbell Court, and three resolutions. Patch reported that the developer's engineer said NJDOT had denied a Route 202/206 driveway and that the hearing was carried to August 4. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

The Board approved CX Tower Leasing's wireless monopole at 719 Route 202 (150 feet with its lightning rod), 7-0, and a one-year extension of a 2024 approval at 233 Shepherd Avenue, 7-0. At the fifth hearing on Bridgewater Self Storage at Routes 22 and 28, 27 members of the public commented, among them Rebecca Melick of the farm stand; many asked the Board to deny the use variance. That hearing was carried to Sept. 22.

The agenda listed initial hearings for Mark Muller's lot line adjustment at 2114 Primrose Lane and 1001 Vosseller Avenue and Viscofan USA's site plan with bulk variances at 141 Southside Avenue, and resolutions for SRVSA, New Jersey American Water and Rann Moshea. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

The Council introduced three bond ordinances for July 9 hearings: $4,205,000 for the county-mandated emergency radio system (5-0), $1,900,000 for road improvements (5-0) and $2,500,000 for drainage (4-1, Kirsh voting no). It adopted the Starbucks traffic ordinance #26-09, renewed 2026–2027 liquor licenses and ratified the Superior Officers' Association contract for 2026–2030.

Regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The agenda lists resolutions for Chimney Rock Self Storage and Garden Oaks Specialties, and initial hearings on bulk variances at 43 Edgewood Terrace and on Liquid Church's conditional-use application at 430 Route 22 East. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

The Board appointed Ostergaard Associates as its consulting acoustical engineer, 10-0, and memorialized the PSE&G substation approval and the Pilot Fiber courtesy review, each 6-0 with four abstentions. The Cornell Boulevard housing hearing was carried to July 21. Four residents asked about possible development of a wooded parcel at 619 Foothill Road; the Board said no application had been filed.

Regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The agenda lists the Solar Landscape resolution, an extension request for Chimney Rock Self Storage at 1661 Route 22, and second hearings on Garden Oaks Specialties at 1921 Route 22 West and the 360 Milltown Road self-storage building. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

Public Works presented "Trees for Tomorrow", about 120 native street trees this year from roughly $60,000 in the Shade Tree Removal Fund, and the Council awarded the planting contract, 5-0. It introduced an ordinance letting police enforce traffic rules at the Starbucks site, 1298 Route 22, and approved the Starbucks developer's agreement. Bucko reported NJDOT approval of stop signs at the Route 22 exit onto Vosseller Avenue.

A special meeting at the Bridgewater library. The agenda listed hearings on New Jersey American Water's site plan at 100 Polhemus Lane and Rann Moshea's major subdivision at 59 Cornell Blvd., and three resolutions to memorialize. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

A seven-minute meeting chaired by Ashley Sikora. The Board adopted memorializing resolutions for Wine Outlet Bridgewater's sign variance and for Whitney Drive Urban Renewal LLC's site plan at Whitney Court East, and the Cornell Boulevard housing hearing was adjourned to June 16. No member of the public spoke.

The Council adopted #26-07 (the Whitney Court affordable housing sale) and #26-08 (one-time six-month temporary parking on Block 222 Lot 3.01), each 4-0 with Isla absent, and approved a developer's agreement for the M&M at Route 206 manufacturing facility. A resident asked the Council to consider an ordinance prohibiting data centers; others raised taxes, lighting and drainage.

Two initial hearings: Garden Oaks Specialties' plan to replace buildings and upgrade its long-running shed and garden-display business at 1921 Route 22 West, and CX Tower Leasing's wireless tower at 719 Route 202. Both were carried to later dates. The Board approved its Feb. 10 and Feb. 24 minutes and put off the Solar Landscape resolution to its next meeting.

After a public hearing and an amendment, the Council adopted the 2026 municipal budget, 4-0, with Isla absent. It introduced ordinances on the Whitney Court affordable housing sale (#26-07) and temporary dealership parking on Block 222 Lot 3.01 (#26-08), and approved an $89,430 reassessment inspection contract and a lease-purchase of eight vehicles of up to $647,401.53.

The Board approved, 6-0, PSE&G's major site plan and three bulk variances to rebuild its Polhemus Lane substation at 5 Polhemus Lane above flood levels after Hurricane Ida, with conditions on landscaping, lot coverage, an EMF report and hazardous materials. It heard a courtesy review of Pilot Fiber's planned fiber network. No member of the public spoke.

With Geiger absent and Bucko presiding, the Council adopted the 2026 cap-bank ordinance #26-06, 4-0, and the multifamily snow-clearing ordinance #26-05, 3-1 with Ring voting no. The police chief reported directed patrols on Vosseller Avenue, and Bucko asked NJDOT to study a stop sign at the Route 22 exit there. Rebecca Melick asked that the farm market at 351 Route 28 be preserved.

The Board adopted, 6-0, the resolution memorializing its approval of 1200 Route 22 Land Investors LLC's preliminary major subdivision of the Greymark tract (25-021-PB). It heard a courtesy review of the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority's new administration building at 50 Polhemus Lane. The Cornell Boulevard housing hearing was carried to May 19 after the developer's attorney gave an update on the state transportation review. No member of the public spoke.

The Board approved, 7-0 with conditions, Solar Landscape's use variance and site plan for 921 rooftop community-solar panels at 22 Van Veghten Drive, expected to produce about 572,000 kilowatt-hours a year. The Rockland APV battery storage hearing continued after an intermission and was carried to July 28. The Dec. 9, 2025 minutes were approved.

The agenda listed Wine Outlet Bridgewater's sign variance and Whitney Drive Urban Renewal LLC's site plan with a D variance for Whitney Court East, the township-sold site for supportive housing. The Board's later agendas list both as decided April 7; both memorializing resolutions were adopted May 19, 2026. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

The Board opened the hearing on Nan Realty Holdings' application for an 85,140-square-foot, four-story self-storage building on a 2.11-acre part of 360 Milltown Road, in the C-3 zone, which needs a D(1) use variance. The engineer and traffic engineer testified; one resident asked about traffic at a one-lane underpass. The hearing was carried to June 9.

Regular meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The agenda lists initial hearings on a patio and accessory structures at 261 Leeham Street and on a use variance for residential use at 66 Finderne Avenue. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

Café Emilia's application to add a banquet hall and addition on Route 202 had its third hearing. Eleven members of the public questioned the applicant's engineer and architect, many on parking and traffic on Charlotte Drive, and the hearing was continued to May 26 without further notice. The Board also approved its Oct. 28, 2025 and Jan. 27, 2026 minutes.

The Board opened the hearing on Wheatsworth Properties Urban Renewal's 15-unit affordable housing application at Cornell Boulevard and Routes 202/206 (25-026-PB). The developer, Luciano Bruni, was the only witness; Somerville Borough's attorney, the Somerville residents' attorney and six members of the public questioned him, and the hearing was carried to March 3. After an executive session the Board voted 9-0 to authorize a settlement agreement in litigation brought by Somerset Corporate Center (SOM-L-0060-25).

At its reorganization the Board elected Maurizio Vescio chairman and Ashley Sikora vice chairperson and appointed its attorney, engineer, planner and traffic engineer, all 11-0; it tabled the consulting engineer and planner posts after Mr. Pappas suggested also appointing an acoustical professional. It memorialized an approval for A/R Bridgewater II LLC (#23-007-PB), 5-0, and scheduled the Cornell Boulevard affordable housing application for February 17. No member of the public spoke.

At its reorganization the Board swore in four new members, elected John Kulak chairman and James Weideli vice chairman, and reappointed its professionals. In separate votes it adopted resolutions granting the Jewish Community Center's use variance and denying 821 Bridgewater LLC's age-restricted townhome application at 821 and 831 Route 202-206. Hearing dates were set for 1200 Route 22, Bridgewater Storage, Rockland APV and Café Emilia.

In the outgoing Council's last meeting, with Councilman Pedroso absent, the Council adopted Ordinance 25-24, replacing the AH-3 zone at Cornell Boulevard, 4-0, after 17 people spoke at the hearing, and the $4.1 million Middle Brook sewer bond (#25-13), 4-0. It also adopted the BRCC and C-1 zone changes, certified the 2024 audit, approved 2026 employee health insurance, the 2024–2027 police contract and Sarah Housman as Director of Finance, and rejected a special tax counsel agreement, 2-2.

The agenda listed master plan consistency reviews of three zoning ordinances, among them the AH-3 ordinance for 11 affordable apartments and four disabled-veterans units on Block 406, Lot 2.01 (Cornell Boulevard), a hearing on the Open Space & Recreation Element of the Master Plan, and two applications. LocalWhy has not yet reviewed minutes of this meeting.

The Board approved bulk variances for a garage addition at 1065 Carteret Road, 7-0, and adopted two resolutions. Café Emilia's expansion on Route 202, cut to about 10,337 square feet, had its second hearing; three Charlotte Drive residents questioned the engineer, and the case went to the Jan. 13 reorganization for scheduling, as did the Bridgewater Self Storage and Rockland APV applications.

Meeting a day early by township notice, with Councilman Ring absent, the Council introduced Ordinance 25-24, replacing the AH-3 zone at Cornell Boulevard, 3-1 (Pedroso nay), after a Somerville resident and Council-elect Joan Geiger asked that it wait for the new Council. It adopted the massage, health-fee and towing ordinances (#25-21 and #25-22, 3-1; #25-23, 4-0), held the hearing on the $4.1 million Middle Brook sewer bond and carried its vote to December 17, and introduced the BRCC and C-1 zone ordinances.

With Councilman Pedroso absent, the Council introduced, 4-0, a $4,100,000 bond ordinance for Phase 2 of the Middle Brook sewer pumping station and ordinances on massage businesses, the towing roster and health fees. It renewed Stavola's 2026 quarry license, awarded a snow-removal contract of up to $60,000 to RJM Landscape and Design, and approved a $642,997.23 paving contract for Plymouth Road, Ryan Way and Jeffrey Lane. The Planner reported medical-office interest at the Somerset Corporate Center.