Bridgewater's Ethicon Site Is In 'Need Of Redevelopment,' Says Planning Board

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The former Ethicon site off Route 22 should be designated as an area in need of redevelopment, said the Bridgewater Planning Board.

Just past midnight and following five hours of deliberation, the Bridgewater Planning Board voted at its Oct. 1 meeting with the majority of the members in favor of making their recommendation to the Township Council that the site at 555 Route 22 meets the statutory criteria to be designated as an "Area in Need of Redevelopment."

Board member Inderpreet Banga voted against the decision and William Atkins abstained.

"This property represents 2.5 percent of all of the land in Bridgewater. It’s nearly 90 acres. What we do with this property, at least what the Township decides what the property can have, it's really going to impact residents. It's going to impact our community. It's going to impact our students at the high school," said Atkins. "I am concerned about many things. I am concerned about the pollution. I am concerned about the lead and asbestos and the other chemicals that's in this building. But … I feel since so many passionate residents were here to speak on this issue - a lot of arguments for and against it - I find myself very conflicted if we should continue debate on this or choose another avenue."

Councilman Michael Kirsh, who sits on the Planning Board, used the phrase "Smart Growth Planning Pricipals."

"I think that's going to be a key phrase as we look at this site and as we look at others in Bridgewater. Bridgewater is largely developed there isn't a lot of land left but there are still some places. So I think that phrase and its underlying meaning 'Smart Growth Planning Principles' will be ones that our residents will hear regularly because we have a responsibility to ourselves and to future generations to make sure that we make decisions that will benefit this community in the long-range," said Kirsh.

The Ethicon site, off Route 22 and Country Club Road, formerly served as a hub of the pharmaceutical industry.

An investigation was recently conducted by the Planning Board to see if the property met the criteria for the designation following the Township Council's recommendation in March.

The investigation showed that the facility had been designed for Ethicon use of biomedical research and manufacturing operations.

Additionally, the Ethicon campus has had and continues to face environmental challenges, with groundwater contamination from the manufacturing processes. Contaminants such as PCBs, TCE, lead, asbestos, and PFAS have been identified on the site. Remediation efforts have been ongoing.

The estimated costs to remediate the property are roughly $5.5 million just for groundwater and asbestos remediation. That isn't taking into account PCB or lead remediation.

Many Board members noted that the buildings and facility remain obsolete and pointed to the recent sale of the property to transportation company A. Duie Pyle for $21.3 million which is well under the value of $35 million due to the need for cleanup and improvements.

No plans have been announced for the site but as part of its agreement with Ethicon, A. Duie Pyle said they would build a township community center and child care center on the site, according to according to mycentraljersey.com.

The recommendation by the Planning Board will now go back to the Township Council who will make the final determination on whether the property should be deemed in need of redevelopment.

A public hearing and vote will be held prior to the adoption of an ordinance to designate the area in need of redevelopment.

Municipalities can designate sites as Areas in Need of Redevelopment so long as the investigation determines that the Site meets the statutory requirements set out by the State of New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law. Such a designation would give the Township of Bridgewater maximum control and flexibility over the future of the site, including any attempt to redevelop the site, according to a previous statement from Mayor Matthew Moench and the Council.

Township control includes detailed site plan authority, open space or recreation requirements and the statutory requirement to consent or approve any future sale of the property.

Kirsh reminded the public that there will be multiple public sessions for the public to weigh in on the future of the property.

"Ultimately if we do this the right way we will end up with an asset that is environmentally clean, that is safe and that will be something that will represent us for 60 years or more," said Kirsh. "I believe pathway to get there is through redevelopment."

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