As the Bridgewater Township zoning board continues hearing an application for a Wawa convenience store on Route 28, a new application for a 7-Eleven convenience store has joined the board's agenda.
The proposed store would replace the former Bridgewater Auto Center building on Finderne Avenue and East Main Street, across from the Burger King restaurant. The proposal calls for the 3,008-square foot company-owned store to be on lots adjoining the Meineke Mufflers and United Check Cashing.
Which is where the application may run into the most difficulty from the zoning board: according to a review of the application by the township zoning department, the paved area around the Meineke shop was not approved when an application for the lot's use as a car rental business was approved in 2001.
The report notes the property's owner was to submit a subsequent application for the paving work, which increased the lot's impervious surface, but never did.
The plans for the convenience store show the building placed near the location of the current structure on the lot, with 15 parking spaces along two sides and along the Finderne Avenue frontage. Exits and entrances to both roads are requested, though a note comments on the heavy turning traffic at the intersection.
The report also includes a suggestion for a double row of trees to be planted as a buffer around the property.
The application's first hearing is scheduled for Tuesday's board meeting and will take several hearings to complete.
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Bridgewater, NJ Patch
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