Drainage, Design Of Proposed Self Storage Facility Discussed In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Questions about proper drainage and exterior building facade for a proposed three-story storage facility on Route 22 were discussed during a lengthy Bridgewater Township Zoning Board meeting on Tuesday night.

Chimney Rock Self Storage has an application before the Board proposing to raze the existing office building between Donahue Avenue and Route 22 to construct a three-story 129,000-square-foot self-storage building with 876 units on the 3.44-acre site.

The site is currently zoned as C-5 with permitted uses for nursing homes, continuing-care retirement facilities, congregate-care facilities, assisted-living housing and senior housing.

During the Tuesday night meeting, the applicant's engineer Paul Winters presented renderings of the building for Snapbox Self Storage to be built into the terrain. It will have one basement level along with two levels above ground.

The front of the building will have a glass entrance fronting Route 22 to welcome guests and hold office space. The back of the building fronting Donahue Avenue will include new tree plantings but will not have many windows.

Township Planner Katherine Sarmed suggested making the back of the building more appealing to neighbors since it is currently being proposed as a blank facade.

"I still believe that something should be added to that portion of the building since the view is impacting the residential neighbors and it does have a warehouse feel to that portion of the building because it is blank," said Sarmed. "Something less cold… something more residential and less like a warehouse."

Winters said the applicant would not be opposed to adding more faux windows to the back of the building for aesthetic purposes.

"If that is something the Board wishes us to pursue we can definitely add more faux windows along that second floor similar to the front side," said Winters.

Wastewater management and drainage were also discussed.

The applicant noted that their proposal would reduce water runoff by 56 percent for a 10-year event which is more than the 25 percent required. Additionally, the proposal would also reduce runoff by 33 percent for a 100-year event over the required 20 percent.

"The additional drainage that is being proposed on the westside of the building, in my view, it is certainly a welcome addition," said Township Engineer Bill Burr.

Burr added that he felt there was an opportunity for the applicant to add another stormwater feature along the westerly drive "that could really have a positive impact."

Board Chairman Jeff Foose reiterated that he really wants "the neighbors to see a net and gross improvement in runoff" due to the recent flood closures at the Vosseller Avenue and Route 22 intersection.

The applicant's Professional Planner Paul Ricci finished off the meeting by saying he felt the storage facility was the best use for the property.

"What you are looking at is a use that fits well in this context, is largely benign, and designed to be attractive and it represents an ideal land use between a commercial area and a residential district," said Ricci. "I can't think of a better land use to put in this environment that’s passive that I would want to live next to."

One Board member disagreed with Ricci saying, "Excuse me, what I would like to live next to is a smaller version than what you are proposing. If you were to come back with a smaller proposal your setbacks would be improved, your FAR would be improved, your coverage would be improved - all of those things matter and you could do a better job at meeting what the land use ordinance requires."

Ultimately, the meeting ran out of time. Hearings on this application will be heard at the June 11 meeting at 7 p.m. where the Board will continue its cross-examination of Ricci.

To see all of the documents associated with the storage facility application click here.

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