Developer Cancels Controversial Plan For Townhouses In Edison

EDISON, NJ — Developers have dropped their plan to build 23 age-restricted townhouses on the site of the former Charlie Brown's restaurant on Plainfield Road, Edison.

The announcement was made by Mayor Sam Joshi on his Facebook page late Monday evening.

“There will be no townhomes built on the Charlie Browns site. I made it clear I was against this project and this is a step in the right direction towards stopping overdevelopment, ensuring responsible managed growth and having a master plan that supports Edison's vision for now and the future,” Joshi said.

Markim Developers, LLC had proposed to build a 23-unit age-restricted multi-family townhouse on 222 Plainfield Road, near the Metuchen Golf and Country Club. The earlier plan was to build 23 three-bedroom townhouses on the 2-acre site.

In a letter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Mark Roshanski, president of Markim Developers indicated the company will either withdraw the application or amend it.

“Considering the concerns expressed by the public, Markin Developers LLC will either withdraw its pending application before the zoning board or amend its application to eliminate the townhouses,” Roshanski said.

“Markin Developers will propose a new plan for the development of the site, which will be consistent with the vision of the Mayor and local residents. Our goal is to have the new plan fit with the existing neighborhood, and a long-term goal of the town.”

The decision comes ahead of the zoning board’s scheduled vote on the development, which was expected on April 26.

The area is located within the G-C Golf Course Zone. The Charlie Brown restaurant building was supposed to be demolished to make way for the new development.

This is a major victory for residents who have been opposing the developer's plan saying it could change the character of the neighborhood and add to traffic woes.

The development was proposed along a section of the road near the entrance of Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Woodbrook Elementary School. A little further, on the border of Metuchen is St. Joseph High School.

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