Trump's Ballroom Expansion Gets Approval To Build At National Golf Club In Bedminster

BEDMINSTER, NJ — As work has stalled on President Donald Trump's ballroom in Washington, D.C., another ballroom he proposed in Bedminster gains approval.

At the Aug. 13 meeting, the Bedminster Planning Board voted to approve a phased site plan for changes at Trump National Golf Club, 900 Lamington Road.

The application by Lamington Farm Club LLC, doing business as Trump National Golf Club, sought preliminary and final site plan approval to build a two-story addition to its existing clubhouse, creating a new ballroom, adding a new parking area, and golf course changes.

Attorney Mike Lavery told the board the proposal includes a dining room addition of about 11,330 square feet, three bulk variances, two design waivers and a request to raise the clubhouse seating capacity.

Engineer Robert Morello testified the 504-acre property would see the clubhouse increase from about 26,240 square feet to 54,480 square feet.

He said the addition would include lower-level storage, a first-floor dining area and a second-level covered terrace area for dining.

The application also called for parking to increase from about 332 spaces to 483 spaces, including a new 147-stall lot near the tennis courts.

Morello testified the clubhouse expansion and added seats would require enlargement of the on-site sewer treatment plant and additional state approvals, including a wastewater management plan amendment, a NJPDES permit and a TWA permit.

Board engineer Paul Ferraro said, "We’re still reviewing the stormwater, but this is not one where I think there’s going to be a problem."

Questions from board members and residents centered on whether the proposed seating and parking would increase traffic and event activity.

During the hearing, Morello said, "It’s not intended that you’re going to have 1,220 people in the building all at the same time."

Club general manager Dave Davidson said the facility no longer meets member demand and told the board, "We’re not looking to be in the catering business. We’re looking to service our members and right now we can’t do that properly and that’s why we’re here in front of you."

During public comment, resident Rebecca Johnson of Morgan Court raised concerns about added traffic on Lamington Road and nearby roads.

In response, the club’s attorney said the project is "not a function of increasing membership for the golf course because the membership number is capped by ordinance anyway."

He also said the request is tied to "providing additional services for the members that are there now."

The approved plan was structured in phases, following a recommendation from board professionals.

Phase one covers golf hole and cart path work. Phase two covers parking lot expansion and related stormwater management.

Phase three covers the clubhouse addition and related improvements.

Board members then voted in favor of the application.

Trump's other 90,000 square-foot ballroom, where the White House’s East Wing once stood, was stalled on Aug. 7.

A divided federal appeals court ruled that Trump’s administration must stop construction of the $400 million White House ballroom because Congress has not approved the project, according to the Associated Press.

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