Bridgewater Self Storage Revises Plan To Keep Farm Stand

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A controversial self-storage facility looking to build on the long-vacant Tectonic building in Bridgewater has revised its plan to keep — instead of demolish — Melick's Farm Stand.

On Tuesday, the Bridgewater Township Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear Bridgewater Self Storage LLC's revised plan.

Attorney Matthew G. Capizzi for the applicant submitted the amended application that would set aside space along Route 28 for the farm stand at a property that also includes frontage on Route 22.

The amended application would provide "approximately 8,800 square feet of lot area along Route 28" for the farm stand to operate within that portion of the property.

The filing says that arrangement would remain in place "until the farm stand ceases operation," and that the area would then be landscaped in accordance with the Bohler landscaping plan previously filed and discussed during public hearings.

According to the applicant, "the farm stand operator would be responsible for rehabilitating the existing barn-style building now used for the stand, if needed, or providing another way to display produce, including canopy, pavilion, etc."

It also states that the operator also would be responsible for "power, water and bathroom facilities, as necessary."

Melick's Town Farm responded to the amended plans.

"The latest update, the storage developers have proposed a new layout that drags the 200-year-old barn out of the way of their retention basin, leaving it without electricity, water, bathrooms or adequate parking and leaving the 'farm market operator' responsible to 'rehabilitate' the building," said the farm.

They added that they " hope that the Zoning Board recognizes this hollow offer for what it is. Bridgewater residents and loyal customers are encouraged to attend the coming meeting."

The Melick family, who have run Melick's Town Farm in Bridgewater for 22 years, told Patch it wants to stay in town.

• See Related: Farm Market's Future Unclear As Decision On Storage Facility Looms In Bridgewater

Rebecca Melick, one of the owners of Melick Town Farm, told Patch the business has deep roots in New Jersey agriculture.

"We're 10th generation farmers in the Hunterdon County area," Melick said.

The family’s date of origin is 1728, Melick said, and its home base is in Oldwick, with other operations in Califon and a year-round farm market in Oldwick.

Melick said the Bridgewater stand began when the Kaiser family, which had long operated the property as a seasonal farm market, asked the family to rent the site.

According to Melick, the stand has operated as a seasonal farm market for about 80 years.

Melick said Bridgewater Residents United has been organizing around the issue and raising money for a legal defense fund tied to the application. The group has launched a GoFundMe to help raise money for a legal defense.

Melick's Farm Stand also serves 80 CSA subscribers who pick up weekly boxes on Mondays for 22 weeks.

The Bridgewater Zoning Board of Adjustment will be held on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

Meetings are held in person at the Bridgewater Township Municipal Building at 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, and streamed live on the Bridgewater Township YouTube channel, which can be viewed by clicking on the video stream labeled “Bridgewater Zoning Board” at @BridgewaterNewJersey.

To see all of the documents associated with the storage facility application, click here.

Previous Reporting:

• Farm Market's Future Unclear As Decision On Storage Facility Looms In Bridgewater
• 'You Reap What You Sow': Bridgewater Locals Oppose Storage Facility Replacing Farm Stand
• Final Vote Expected On Route 22 Self Storage Project Replacing Farm Stand In Bridgewater
• Route 22 Self Storage Proposes Slimming Down Size In Bridgewater
• Bridgewater Self Storage Unveils New Site Plan, Reduces Number Of Trees Removed
• 209 Trees To Be Cut For Proposed Self Storage Facility In Bridgewater
• Farm Stand Could Be Demolished, Replaced With Self-Storage Facility In Bridgewater

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