Homestead Road Warehouse Proposed Plans Change In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — After hearing feedback from the Planning Board and residents, the applicant Homestead 279 LLC has changed its proposal.

The application no longer includes a subdivision of the 17.11 acres lot into two lots. Instead, the application is now looking to construct a second 132,750-square-foot warehouse building with internal office space, loading docks, lights, stormwater and improvements on the same lot behind Stryka Botanics.

Attorney Michael O’Grodnick of Somerville, who is representing the applicant, told the Board at the March 9 meeting of the change.

"The property is surrounded by existing industrial uses and most importantly the proposed uses are permitted principal uses in the [Light Industrial] district," said O’Grodnick of the updated application.

The application was first heard by the planning board on Sept. 1, 2022. After receiving feedback from the Board and residents the application removed several variances. Then after a Board meeting on Feb. 9, 2023, the applicant revised its plans to remove the subdivision altogether.

A sticking point at the meeting was an email submitted to the Board by Homestead 279 LLC showing the property owner, Mr. McNally's authorization, allowing the applicant to construct the warehouse on his property.

Hillsborough Township Planning Board Attorney Eric Bernstein raised concerns about the email asking for more information.

Mayor Shawn Lipani said the Board needed more than just an email to outline the full agreement between McNally and Homestead 279 LLC.

"We don't know the terms of the agreement," said Lipani. "You changed the direction of the ship midstream... We need in hard writing for both us and the objector to have in detail."

Attorney Joseph C. Tauriello, who is representing Sandro Iannella of Iannella Masonry Construction in Hillsborough in objection to the project, also raised issues with the email.

"I am also uncomfortable with an email, text message… I am not in a position to understand the nature of the relationship. Is it a lease? Is it a sale? What are the conditions?" said Tauriello.

Planning Board President Carl Suraci added that, "I think the situation we have is we don't have legal documents in regards to - who is the applicant? Who is the owner? Along those lines."

Additionally during the meeting, the Board heard testimony from the applicant's engineer Joshua Tiner about the project. Residents raised concerns over the stormwater impacts from the construction of the new warehouse.

The meeting was stopped just after 10 p.m. and will be carried to May 11 at 7 p.m. where the Board is requesting the legal documentation of the agreement with Homestead 279 LLC and the property owner.

Watch the full planning board meeting below:

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