Warren Residents To Speak Out Against Proposed Stone House Hotel

WARREN, NJ — Residents in Warren are not happy and are planning to speak up against a proposed plan to build a hotel on the grounds of the Stone House Restaurant at the Monday night zoning board meeting in Warren.

The public hearing will discuss the proposed plan by Maddy Realty LLC, who is asking to build a three-story, 48-room hotel at the venue at 50 Stirling Road. The hotel will also have an underground parking deck with 37 spaces.

The proposed hotel will be located in the wooded area to the right of the existing hall near Stiles Road.

Chris Williams moved from Jersey City to Carol Terrace in Warren with his family in 2015 to get away from the hustle and bustle.

"I didn't move away from the city to buy an acre of property for peace and quiet to then have to look at a hotel every day," Williams said.

Williams' home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac right off Stiles Road, which runs along the Stone House Restaurant property line. If the hotel is built he would have a direct view of it from his back deck.

"It's a bummer. I am not saying we are in the sticks, but these guys are adding on and adding on and ruining the scenery," Williams said.

Williams and his neighbors on Stiles Road are planning to speak at the public hearing on Monday either in person or virtually to share their disagreement with the plan.

Maddy Realty LLC is seeking two variances for the plan. One for use of the land for a hotel and the second for the height of the building. The proposed height exceeds 10 percent of the permitted amount.

Williams is also concerned about the Stony Brook, a Raritan River tributary, that runs behind the restaurant property and into Watchung Lake. Williams said his son plays in that river and he is worried about contamination.

He is also concerned about the added traffic and loss of wildlife due to the removal of trees.

"I just can't see bringing something that size into a neighborhood space," Williams said. "And what will happen with our property values?"

Williams is looking to bring more attention to this plan and hoping to gain the support of other locals in the area.

The public hearing for the plan will be heard at The Warren Township Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. in the Susie B. Boyce Meeting Room, 44 Mountain Blvd., in Warren.

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