Bridgewater Zoning Says Residents 'Deserve Better' After Hearing New Application for Townhouses off Route 202/206

BRIDGEWATER – Hurricane Ida, the 2021 storm that ravaged New Jersey, was placed center stage at the Aug. 13 Bridgewater zoning board meeting.

The subject of the meeting was an application by JMF Properties of Whippany, which seeks to transform 12 acres of farmland, woods and wetlands into 64 townhomes, with an additional three acres of the 15-acre site being turned over to the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, on Talamini Road, to expand existing programs.

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But the topic of the meeting was the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida and the persistent stormwater run-off issues raised by neighbors.

Bridgewater recorded three deaths during Ida, and sustained more than $1.9 million in damage to municipal facilities.

Somerset County received over $1.65 million in insurance claims. New Jersey sustained over $2 billion in damages.

Zoning board members and township engineer William Burr questioned the adequacy of the developer’s plan to address stormwater.

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West Foothill Road resident Andrea Adams said her property abuts directly against the proposed development.

“I have water in my cellar,” she said. “I have added a second sump pump.”

She asked engineer Robert Moschello about a retaining wall shown on the plans.

Moschello explained the wall is part of a system designed to retain water on the property and reduce the outflow of stormwater. He noted that the Adams’ property is on ground higher in elevation than the planned wall.

Moschello said the stormwater plans are designed to meet new state standards that have to account for a potential runoff rate for a 2100 storm. He said the new regulations call for a 50% increase in potential stormwater.

Burr pushed back, saying he wants to be sure the plans would meet the new standards.

Attorney Kevin Coakley, representing the developer, said soil samples would be taken and that data added to the stormwater plan.

Board chairman Jeff Foose expressed disappointment at the plan as presented.

“We deserve better, and the residents deserve better,” he said.

Coakley said the proposal is a “doable project” that has several benefits.

It is proposed for land that the owners have been trying to sell for years. The transformation from a farm and woods to a townhome development would be a “inherently beneficial use,” and, further, would help the township meet its affordable housing requirements through a donation to the township to be used to develop more affordable housing.

The site, located between Route 287 and Routes 202/206, is used as a farm, rented to Alstede Fresh at Bridgewater, owned by Chester-based Alstede Farms.

The developer is seeking four variances to convert the property to townhomes with a 3-acre set aside for the adjacent Jewish community center, which operates on the site.

JCC executive director Laura Friedman said the center currently offers a camp for 650 children and a variety of recreation and educational programs for seniors and those with special needs. Some religious programs, especially at the holidays are also offered, she said.

The plan would be to use the existing empty house on the property and the outbuildings to add to the center’s programming.

The hearing will continue at the Oct. 22 zoning board meeting.

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