Concerns Over Stormwater Focus Of Weston Warehouse Hearing In Hillsborough

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Questions surrounding stormwater management for the proposed application to build a warehouse on Weston Road consumed much of the recent Hillsborough Planning Board meeting.

The meeting lasted roughly 2.5 hours and was stopped at 10 p.m. It will be carried to May 4 for further questioning and testimony.

Michael O'Grodnick, an attorney in Somerville, who is representing the applicant Weston Road LLC said at the March 23 meeting that the project was "revised" to take into account comments from the township planning board.

"There are several substantial changes to the plan," said O'Grodnick.

Changes included a "substantial reduction in the square footage of the building" from 140,155 square feet to 130,418 square feet. Of that, 125,118 square feet is the warehouse and 5,300 square feet is office space.

Other material changes include enhancing the architecture, adding building color, lowering building height and slightly shifting the building, said O'Grodnick.

"Additionally, responding to comments from the Board we reduced the number of parking spaces from 139 to 99," said O'Grodnick.

The applicant also added 5 Electric Vehicle ready spaces.

The application is being opposed by the Hearthstone of Hillsborough homeowner's association, which consists of 185 families.

Jordan Asch of Riker Danzig LLP in Morristown and co-counsel Mike Sinkevich of Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich in Princeton are representing the entire Hearthstone of Hillsborough community. Read More: Hillsborough 55+ Community Hires Attorney Opposing Warehouse Proposal

Residents had previously aired their opposition to the Hillsborough Mayor and Council at a November 2022 meeting.

O'Grodnick noted at the meeting that the property had approval for warehouse use 12 years before the Hearthstone Community was built.

"While I am incredibly sympathetic, I feel like the residents of Hearthstone knew or should’ve known that their community was across the street from an industrial zone and that there was an approved warehouse use," said O'Grodnick. "If you move next to a property that has an approved warehouse I think it's slightly disingenuous to complain when the owner wants to construct not just a use that was permitted but a use that was approved by resolution."

Sinkevich countered O'Grodnick's statements claiming this application is separate from any prior approvals.

"In regards to any prior settlements and prior approvals, it does not affect our standing and has no bearing on this application. We are here in regard to this specific application because the application is both inappropriate and it's an overdesigned project," said Sinkevich.

During the meeting, professional engineer Michael Ford of Van Cliff Engineering testified on behalf of Weston Road LLC.

Asch questioned Ford on stormwater management at the property but was eventually cut short when the meeting ran out of time.

The hearing will be carried to the May 4 Planning Board meeting at 7 p.m.

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