Self Storage Facility Approved For Development In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A proposed three-story storage facility on Route 22 received the green light to be built off Route 22 near Vosseller Avenue in Bridgewater.

On June 11, the Bridgewater Township Zoning Board approved the application for Chimney Rock Self Storage to raze the existing office building between Donahue Avenue and Route 22 to construct a three-story 129,000-square-foot self-storage building with 876 units on the 3.44-acre site.

The site is currently zoned as C-5 with permitted uses for nursing homes, continuing-care retirement facilities, congregate-care facilities, assisted-living housing and senior housing.

The proposal is to build a Snapbox Self Storage building into the terrain. It will have one basement level along with two levels above ground.

Board member Donald Sweeney was the only one to vote against the project claiming it was "too big" for the property.

Many of the Board members who voted in favor of the project commended the application for protecting the surrounding neighborhood and improving drainage and stormwater management.

"I think this application truly protects the neighborhood. In fact I think it does it better than the original building did," said Chairman Jeff Foose, who noted that the application includes the addition of more than 1,300 plantings on the property.

"Frankly when you looking at the planting array on the plan you can't find a single piece of area that doesn't have a planting on it. And that’s substantial," said Foose.

Board member John Kulak also noted that the public's single biggest concern is stormwater management and drainage.

"It will be substantially improved beyond what they would be required to adhere to at the minimum level," said Kulak.

Previously at the April 9 meeting, the applicant noted that their proposal would reduce water runoff by 56 percent for a 10-year event which is more than the 25 percent required. Additionally, the proposal would also reduce runoff by 33 percent for a 100-year event over the required 20 percent.

Foose agreed that the plan "is a huge improvement" to the existing drainage and stormwater.

"Hopefully Vosseller Ave. will no longer flood from this," said Foose.

Kulak said he would approve the application as it is an "improvement and something that would protect neighborhoods."

To see all of the documents associated with the storage facility application click here.

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