50-Foot Data Center, Senior Housing Proposed To Redevelop Greymark Site On Route 22

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Council introduced a redevelopment plan for the former Greymark Office site off Route 22 in Bridgewater, but not without some pushback.

The 28-acre site at 1200 Route 22 (which is made up of five separate lots – Lot 1.02, 1.03, 1,04, 2.00, and 2.01) was previously designated by the Township Council as a non-condemnation redevelopment area on Dec. 5, 2024.

At the March 20 Council meeting, Township Redevelopment Planner Michael Sullivan presented the plan for the property ahead of a vote for the introduction of an ordinance to accept the plan.

Currently, only six acres are developed with an existing office building.

"It really is meant to revitalize an underutilized property there," said Sullivan. "Although there is an office building, there have been many failed development attempts here."

Sullivan added that a preliminary investigation found "dilapidated unfinished construction on this site that is contributing to storm water runoff, flooding and sedimentation, and surface water quality degradation."

The redevelopment plan for the site permits several principal uses, including medical uses, office uses, and research within the existing office building and that area.

It allows for a data center, indoor recreational facilities and also up to 250 units of multifamily age-restricted housing.

Lastly the plan permits and requires the development of three single-family residential lots along Woodside Lane and requires the development of a cul-de-sac to create a safe and compliant terminus to that street.

To complete the plan, Sullivan said mandatory components will require:

• Conservation easements for the stream corridor and associated wetlands;
• Buffering to the new single-family homes along Woodside Lane
• Requires acoustic controls and mechanisms for all equipment, including HVAC
• Studies to ensure that any of those impacts are modeled
• Post construction remediation of any negative impacts not anticipated after construction

The plan was presented to the Township Planning Board for a consistency review. The Board found the plan to be consistent with the Master Plan at its March 18 meeting. See the full plan presented here.

However, since the Planning Board meeting Councilman Michael Kirsh said new information came to light.

The maximum height allowance is 50 feet for a building. Since the meeting Kirsh said it was discovered that the plan calls for a 50-foot building with HVAC equipment and acoustic screening to hide it, along with an access staircase.

Adding these features would increase the height to about 7 feet higher than the 50 feet maximum.

Councilman Filipe Pedroso raised concerns about the height exceeding 50 feet. He asked how many floors the data center requested - which was two. Then he questioned why they needed 50 feet for a two-story building?

Sullivan said he didn't have all of the technical information on why the center cannot meet the 50-foot limit.

"I can only speak to the conceptual prototype presented to me," said Sullivan.

"It's important to know why the building can’t meet the 50-foot height, inclusive of these elements that you referred to," said Pedroso. "What is the technical reason why a two-floor building for a data center… I am just trying to grasp why it can not comply with the 50-foot height."

Councilman Timothy Ring showed his support for the plan.

"We have a piece of property here and we have some individuals that want to develop it and have the right to develop it," said Ring. "I think an area of redevelopment and a developer's agreement for this site gives us the best protection to have skin in the game and manage overall what goes there. So I think moving forward and introducing this is the right thing."

The introduction of the ordinance with the addition of the height over 50 feet was ultimately passed by the Council with the exception of Pedroso, who voted no.

"I don’t think we have enough information. I am concerned that the fact that we don't know why the builder needs 50 feet. It raises questions that perhaps not enough information has been provided to have this redevelopment area fit the needs of the builder, balanced with the quality of life for the Township. The zoning requirement should be mitigated to the least amount required," said Pedroso.

A public hearing on the ordinance is set for the April 24 Bridgewater Township Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater.

With about a month away from the public hearing and final vote, Ring reminded the Council that "the public has plenty of time to review the document prior to the public hearing."

See below for the full ordinance:

11a (1) by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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