Bridgewater Rezones Land On Route 202/206 For Affordable Housing Despite Opposition

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Township Council approved on Wednesday night the controversial rezoning of a property on Route 202/206 despite opposition from Bridgewater and Somerville residents.

The ordinance rezones the 1.52-acre wooded, vacant site on Route 202/206 and Cornell Boulevard, next to Time To Eat Diner, to allow for affordable housing.

The plan is to construct 11 100 percent affordable multi-family residential development units and four disabled veteran housing units. This will contribute to the Township's New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) fourth-round affordable housing obligation of 421 units.

"The reason we're here, the reason we're having this discussion, is not because anybody wants to do this or that or the other thing on any particular piece of property. The reason we're here is because of the Affordable Housing obligations that our township faces and every and every other one in the state of New Jersey," said Councilman Michael Kirsh.

"We have a recommendation given to us by our planning board, recommending that we approve this. We have a fair share housing plan that was submitted to the state that included this project that they approved," said Councilman Timothy Ring. "We also, as we've heard tonight, not the township, but the developer of this site, applied for a $3 million grant from the Department of Community Affairs(DCA). And, surprisingly, to some, this was awarded, so the DCA has looked at this site and said, not only is this a good site, we think it's good to the tune of $3 million."

Prior to the passage of this ordinance, a lawsuit was filed in Somerset County Superior Court by Somerville residents Jennifer Fleischer, Jason Rodker, Brian Reilly, and Bridgewater residents Richard Cash, George Cook, and Barbara Cook — who live near the site.

Amanda Kronemeyer of Harold Law, who is representing the six residents in the lawsuit, spoke at the meeting.

"The need to provide housing opportunities for low-income doesn't need to lead to poor planning," said Kronemeyer. "There are significant ramifications for the adjacent single-family residential neighbors, both within the township and the borough of Somerville, and from the proposed ordinance allowing multifamily use of this site, along with the veterans housing, there's not enough protection for these low-density residential neighborhoods."

Many other residents in Bridgewater and Somerville also spoke for more than an hour, raising concerns about noise, traffic, and quality of life for veterans and families in the affordable housing units.

"I am a veteran, Marine veteran, and I find it deeply troubling that affordable housing, potentially including veterans, is being proposed on a highway ramp or adjacent to a ramp. Placing people in need of stability and safety next to a major highway doesn't seem to make too much sense. I don't think any of us would like to live there. Yes, people will live there because they have no choice. That doesn't make it inhumane or irresponsible. These residents deserve better living conditions," said Larry Dwyer of Bridgewater.

10-year-old Liam Rodger of Somerville also spoke because he was deeply concerned about the proposed development.

"Currently, our neighborhood is very walkable. My brother and I walk our dog around the around our block, and we play at a small park at the end of our street. As a DIY hobbyist and small engine mechanic, I walked down to the Napa auto parts store at the end of my street. I know the people there, and they are very helpful with my projects. Putting this affordable housing here would make our neighborhood unsafe with more traffic, it would become unwalkable, and affect our everyday lives," said Rodger.

The ordinance was ultimately passed by the Township Council. A lawsuit from residents remains pending. See the lawsuit below:

Cornell Boulevard Lawsuit by Alexis Tarrazi

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