Opposition Of Weston Warehouse Proposal Grows In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Residents of the 55+ community, Hearthstone of Hillsborough, called on the Mayor and Township Committee to join them in their fight against a large warehouse application on Weston Road.

Weston Road LLC, of Franklin Park, is looking to build a 135,000-square-foot warehouse building with stormwater, parking, and associated improvements on 18.2 acres.

This proposed warehouse is looking to construct the building on Weston Road across from the active adult community.

"We are the senior citizens of Hillsborough that the township has protected over the years and you have supported us and we need your support in the future as well," said Jim Vonderhorst, a resident of the community during the Oct. 25 Township Committee meeting.

Vonderhorst said the 185 families who live in the community are in opposition to the warehouse for a number of reasons including flooding concerns, deforestation, and traffic.

"For most of us in the community, this is our forever home. We have neither the desire or in most cases the resources to get up and get out if we don’t like what is happening in the development," said Vonderhorst. "We fully understand the need for the township to increase revenue via new development but we are asking not this development and not in this area. It doesn’t make any sense."

Joyce Eldridge-Howard had purchased her townhouse in 2007 and was "quite upset" when she found out what was being planned.

"No one would ever envision that our peaceful community would be interrupted by the noise of trucks, lights shining in their bedrooms (I am talking about the warehouse), the pollution and traffic on Weston Road. That's why it is called a road not a thoroughfare," said Eldridge-Howard.

Kathy Brader said she and more than 100 residents from the Hearthstone Community also attended the township's Environmental Commission meeting on Oct. 24 to voice their opposition to the project.

"All of us, 100 percent of us, were there to protest the fact that this may happen to destroy our community and the quality of our lives," said Brader.

She added that this project would impact the most vulnerable population in Hillsborough including senior citizens and children.

"I am begging you to please deny," said Brader of the application.

At the same meeting, Committeeman Robert Britting said Hillsborough is working to "redefine" what is classified as a warehouse. Read More: Warehouse Issue In Hillsborough To Be Tackled By Committee

However, any changes to the definition would only impact future applications and not impact applications already before the town.

The Weston Road LLC application will go before the Planning Board on Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

in the Courtroom of the Municipal Complex, The Peter J. Biondi Building.

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