Warren To Vote On New Plans For Former King George Inn Site

WARREN, NJ — A public hearing will be held on Thursday before the Warren Township Committee finalizes a vote on plans to build a childcare facility on the former site of the historic King George Inn.

The lot owner and developer, Varma RE Development, had initially planned in 2018 to erect luxury condominiums at the site. The inn was demolished in May but the plan for housing has now fallen through.

The developer claimed that condominium housing is "no longer economically feasible on the Study Area, despite repeated efforts to market same for such use".

At its July 16 meeting, the Township Committee approved the change of plans which includes a two-story building that will be no larger than 10,000 square feet in size and hold a maximum of 180 children. There will also be an outside recreational area surrounded by decorative fencing.

The second reading of the ordinance and adoption will be held during the committee's Thursday meeting at 7:30 a.m. The meeting will be broadcasted live on the Township’s website and their Facebook page and is broadcasted live on the Access Channel and will be taped for rebroadcast.

Public comments at the public hearings for ordinances and resolutions as well as agenda items, are limited to 3 minutes per person, unless extended discussion is permitted by the Mayor.

The 1.54 acre lot is located off Mountain View Road, King George Road, and Mount Bethel Road in Warren.

Constructed in 1785, the former King George Inn survived as the oldest in its original location in the Mount Bethel section of Warren. Originally built as a home for one of Warren's pioneer families, the building had become an inn or tavern by 1804.

It changed hands and names many times over the next two centuries, and last housed a restaurant in 2010.

Damaged during Hurricane Irene, the current owner had said the building was beyond repair and wanted to redevelop the area.

See below to view the entire ordinance before the meeting:

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.