4-Story Self-Storage Plan Faces Questions Over Aesthetics In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An application to build a four-story self-storage building off Milltown Road continued to be heard in Bridgewater with a focus on emergency access behind the building and the design of exterior roll-up doors on the first floor.

The application by NAN Reality Holdings, LLC seeks preliminary and final major site plan approval, use variance relief, related C variance relief, and design waivers for a climate-controlled self-storage facility on the property at 360 Milltown Road.

The proposed self-storage would be located across from Somerset County's North Branch Park.

Attorney Michael Silbert, of Murphy Schiller & Wilkes, said the applicant is proposing an approximately 85,000-square-foot, four-story self-storage facility on 6.4 acres in the township’s C-3 office and service zone.

He said the property currently contains an approximately 17,700-square-foot research and development facility occupied by Avenos Inc. and a direct air capture pilot facility operated by Avenos.

Silbert said self-storage is not a permitted use in the zone, so the application includes a D1 use variance.

He said the applicant is also seeking relief for the number of stories, floor area ratio, and other site-related items, including landscaping, loading, parking, and signage.

Architect Susan De Hart, a principal with USA Architects in Somerville, testified that the building would include one basement level and three levels above grade, with about 21,000 square feet per floor.

She said the first floor includes a lobby, office, toilet, stairs, elevators, and storage units.

De Hart said 21 of the first-floor units would be directly accessible from outside through roll-up doors, but not for vehicles to back directly up to them because a sidewalk would run along the building.

Board members questioned the demand for those exterior-access units and whether the doors would fit the Milltown Road setting across from parkland and the 4-H fairgrounds.

De Hart said the doors could be selected in a matching color so "you really wouldn't notice it unless it was actively in use."

De Hart questioned whether there was opposition to the exterior doors or just the design.

"I think that there's probably mixed feelings on that, but I think, as you said, there's the opportunity to possibly explore, I don't want to use the term higher-end, more aesthetically pleasing doors. That is the possibility. And if the intent of the board is to make it not stand out, you can potentially do more to ensure that it doesn't stand out," said Silbert.

The application hearing will be continued at the Aug. 11 zoning board meeting at 7 p.m.

This is the third self-storage facility to be proposed in Bridgewater. In June 2024, the Zoning Board approved an application for Chimney Rock Self Storage 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.

Another application is still being heard before the Zoning Board proposing to build a self-storage facility, which would replace Melick's farm stand and the long-vacant Tectonic building.

The Bridgewater Zoning Board of Adjustment are held in person at the Bridgewater Township Municipal Building at 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, and streamed live on the Bridgewater Township YouTube channel, which can be viewed by clicking on the video stream labeled “Bridgewater Zoning Board” at @BridgewaterNewJersey.

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

Previous Reporting:

• Another Multi-Story Self-Storage Facility Proposed In Bridgewater: See Where
• Route 22 Self Storage Proposes Slimming Down Size In Bridgewater
• Self Storage Facility Approved For Development In Bridgewater

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