Controversial Bridgewater Affordable Housing Project Delayed, NJDOT Appeal Pending

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The hearing for a controversial affordable housing project proposed off Route 202/206 in Bridgewater is once again delayed.

The Wheatsworth Properties Urban Renewal LLC application that was set to be heard on Tuesday is now adjourned to Aug. 18, said the Bridgewater Planning Board at the Tuesday meeting.

"I just received an email from the attorney for Wheatsworth Properties. They are requesting an adjournment," said Township Planner Katherine Sarmad.

No reason was provided at the meeting for the adjournment.

The application seeks to split the lot, next to Time To Eat diner to build a four-unit apartment building for disabled veterans and an 11-unit apartment building for moderate- and low-income residents.

The units would be 100 percent affordable and would contribute to Bridgewater Township's New Jersey Department of Community Affairs fourth-round affordable housing obligation of 421 units.

Initially, the applicant planned to use Cornell Boulevard in Somerville as its access point.

This was met with much opposition. Both Somerville and a group of residents filed lawsuits citing the application's plan to use Cornell Boulevard and its impact on the character of the area.

Attorney Jason Hyndman, of Price, Meese, Shulman & D'Arminio, who is representing Wheatsworth, announced the change to gain access to Route 202/206 at the March 31 Planning Board meeting.

At the July 21 meeting, it was announced that the NJDOT denied the developer's request seeking access through Route 202/206 into its controversial affordable housing project in Bridgewater.

However, the applicant, Wheatsworth Properties Urban Renewal, LLC, has filed an appeal of the decision.

The appeal is currently pending.

"The review process is ongoing and expected to be completed in the next few weeks," said NJDOT Press Manager Steve Schapiro to Patch.

Previous Reporting:

• NJDOT Denies Route 202/206 Access For Controversial Bridgewater Affordable Housing Project
• Bridgewater Affordable Housing Project Delayed As Route 202/206 Access Sought
• Controversial Affordable Housing Project Seeks Route 202/206 Access In Bridgewater
• Controversial Route 202/206 Affordable Housing Plans Presented In Bridgewater
• Somerville Joins Fight Against Bridgewater, Files Lawsuit Over Affordable Housing Plan
• Bridgewater Rezones Land On Route 202/206 For Affordable Housing Despite Opposition

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