BRIDGEWATER – Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan is “overjoyed” that a plan to demolish four Route 22 office buildings and build two warehouses has been dropped.
Signature Acquisitions of Cranford, owner of the buildings in the Centerpointe complex, notified the Bridgewater’s Planning Office this week that it was withdrawing its application before the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The proposal had drawn fire from Somerville officials who feared an increase in truck traffic.
“It’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time,” Sullivan said.
The mayor said the Zoning Board of Adjustment was “very attentive” to the concerns expressed by residents about the proposal.
“It shows the public can have an impact, “he said.
Councilman Tim Ring announced on Facebook Tuesday that the attorney for the developer had called to say the proposal was going to be withdrawn.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment was scheduled to continue the public hearing on the plan in May.
Signature Acquisitions downsized the proposal after hearing comments from the Board and public on Jan. 31. The sizes of the proposed warehouses were reduced to lessen the impact on neighbors.
Residents on Jackson Avenue and Woodside Lane, plus residents of the Laurel Circle senior community, have opposed project, saying the warehouses and trucks will bring noise, fumes and lighting pollution to their neighborhood.
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The main worry, Somerville Mayor Dennis Sullivan previously said, is how trucks traveling on westbound Route 22 from Interstate 287 would gain access the site.
Trucks traveling westbound on the highway would have to go to North Bridge Street, then cross over the highway to Grove Street then back to eastbound Route 22, he said.
Somerville officials feared that trucks may take an alternate route, exiting Route 287 at Route 28 and driving into Somerville.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account.
