Controversial Route 202/206 Affordable Housing Plans Presented In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Controversial plans to develop a wooded, vacant property on Route 202/206 for affordable housing in Bridgewater were presented on Tuesday.

The Bridgewater Township Planning Board heard an application from Wheatsworth Properties Urban Renewal, LLC, looking 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 will contribute to the Township's New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) fourth-round affordable housing obligation of 421 units.

The lot is located next to the Time To Eat Diner off the Somerville Circle, and the plan is to use Cornell Boulevard in Somerville as its access point.

"This proposed development... is part of the housing element and fair share plan that was approved by the Somerset County Mount Laurel judge earlier this year. The subject property is currently unimproved. The land covers primarily wooded area with a small portion of lawn area adjacent to lot two," said Jason Hyndman from the law firm of Price, Meese, Shulman & D’Arminio who is representing the applicant Wheatsworth Properties Urban Renewal LLC.

The Borough of Somerville and Somerville residents Jennifer Fleischer, Jason Rodker, Brian Reilly, and Bridgewater residents Richard Cash, George Cook, and Barbara Cook — who live near the site — both filed lawsuits against Bridgewater in opposition to this plan.

Both Somerville and the group of residents have cited the application's plan to use Cornell Boulevard to route traffic through Somerville instead of Route 202/206, and impact the character of the area.

Dennis Galvin, who is representing the Borough of Somerville, questioned Luchiano Bruni, the owner of Wheatsworth Properties and developer, on the use of Cornell Boulevard.

"It's a public road," Bruni repeated over and over.

"In a different town," said Galvin.

"So you did not give any consideration to using 202/206?" asked Galvin.

"I never said we didn't take any consideration. I just said that we are using a public road," said Bruni.

"And did you do any investigation of the Somerville side as to their willingness to allow you to use that?" asked Galvin.

"No, because it's a public road," said Bruni.

Multiple residents also questioned Bruni, including Steve Moss who asked about constructing a sound barrier for area residents.

"Have you ever even thought about putting up a barrier along the highway for soundproofing and the safety of children and families?" asked Moss.

"No," said Bruni.

"And the reasoning is?" asked Moss.

"Because it costs millions of dollars," said Bruni.

Moss asked the Planning Board to consider a barrier wall or fencing around the buildings.

The hearing was stopped at 10 p.m., and the application will be carried to the March 3 Planning Board meeting.

To see the full application, click here.

Previous Reporting:

• Somerville Joins Fight Against Bridgewater, Files Lawsuit Over Affordable Housing Plan
• Bridgewater Rezones Land On Route 202/206 For Affordable Housing Despite Opposition

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