BRIDGEWATER, NJ — An affordable housing developer has filed a lawsuit against Bridgewater, alleging that a refusal of sewer approval has stalled its project.
In February, Gardens at Warren, LLC was approved to build a 28-unit inclusionary project and is a "critical element of Warren's Fourth Round affordable housing compliance plan," according to the lawsuit filed in Somerset County Superior Court on July 14.
Although located in Warren Township, the project's sanitary sewer must travel through pipes owned and operated by Bridgewater to reach the Somerset Raritan Sewer Authority(SRVSA), which is also located in Bridgewater, according to the lawsuit.
As a result, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection(NJDEP) requires that Bridgewater complete a Treatment Works Approval(TWA) to confirm there is sufficient capacity in the pipes.
"For more than five months, Bridgewater has refused to review, analyze or consider the TWA application and it has not executed the municipal consent form necessary to allow the submission of the TWA to NJDEP," the lawsuit claims.
Due to the refusal, Gardens at Warren claims its project is "stalled and cannot be constructed."
The lawsuit claims that Bridgewater officials told Gardens at Warren to "pressure Warren to settle its other litigation so that it would be in a position to sign the TWA application."
The other lawsuit is connected to a lawsuit filed in November 2024. Bridgewater filed a lawsuit against Warren Township over a sewer usage disagreement.
In June, Gardens at Warren requested that Bridgewater sign the TWA agreement or face litigation.
Bridgewater told Patch, "The Township's policy is that we do not comment on ongoing or pending litigation."
Gardens At Warren, LLC vs. Bridgewater Township by Alexis Tarrazi
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