BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An affordable housing project proposed off Route 202/206 in Bridgewater is delayed as the applicant continues to seek an alternative access to the site.
On Tuesday, the Bridgewater Planning Board carried the Wheatsworth Properties Urban Renewal LLC application to May 19 as the applicant continues work on a possible new access point from Route 202/206.
Initially, the applicant planned to use Cornell Boulevard in Somerville as its access point.
This was met with much opposition. Both Somerville and a group of residents filed lawsuits citing the application's plan to use Cornell Boulevard and its impact on the character of the area.
Attorney Jason Hyndman, of Price, Meese, Shulman & D'Arminio, who is representing Wheatsworth, first announced the change to gain access to Route 202/206 at the March 31 Planning Board meeting.
On April 8, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Spokesman Steve Shapiro told Patch that Wheatsworth Properties Urban Renewal applied for two lot subdivision permits in late January.
"This type of permit covers change of lot lines for properties with state highway frontage," said Schapiro.
However, Shapiro noted that these permit applications were not seeking highway access. To seek highway access, the developer would have to apply for a minor access permit.
Hydman provided an update on Tuesday to the Planning Board, saying they have been working with the NJDOT on gaining access to the highway.
"We did agree to undertake that review on whether it would be feasible. We've done the preliminary review," said Hyndman.
"We have done additional fieldwork to survey the adjacent properties that we would need to have on our plans for a complete application, as well as measure site distances, and we do believe we have a compliant site distance from an access point on our site. So, we are moving forward with our plan revisions, and we hope to have an application filed by the end of next week," said Hyndman.
Hyndman said he is "doubtful" they will have an official response from the NJDOT by the May 19 meeting.
However, Hydman said the applicant expects to proceed with engineering testimony at that time "to address the storm water management concerns and any other conditions with respect to engineering that won't be impacted by the proposed change in access."
The lot is next to the Time To Eat Diner off the Somerville Circle.
The application seeks to split the lot to build a four-unit apartment building for disabled veterans and an 11-unit apartment building for moderate- and low-income residents.
The units would be 100 percent affordable and would contribute to Bridgewater Township's New Jersey Department of Community Affairs fourth-round affordable housing obligation of 421 units.
Hyndman told the board that if access from Route 202/206 is approved by the NJDOT, the site layout would change.
"Just to give you a heads up, if that access from 2026 is approved, that would result in the swapping of the 11-unit building with the parking lot," said Hydman.
He said the change would require engineering updates involving drainage and piping to stormwater management facilities.
The application hearing was carried to May 19.
To see the full application, click here.
Previous Reporting:
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Bridgewater, NJ Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.