Cafe Emilia's Expansion, Banquet Hall Hearing Pushed To December In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A hearing on Cafe Emilia's plans to expand its restaurant on Route 202 and build a banquet hall has been pushed to December.

A Township Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing for the plan had been set for Oct. 14 but was moved to Dec. 9.

The restaurant, established in 1999 at 705 Route 202, is proposing to demolish a church on a neighboring property and combine the lots. Then add a 100-seat banquet hall, a 30-seat bar, and a courtyard area, creating a two-story 16,773 square foot building.

The restaurant and building will comprise of around 16,749 square feet, and the lots will be consolidated to around 38,952 square feet, said Attorney Donna Jennings, who is representing Cafe Emilia, at the July 22 board meeting.

The new addition would be 16,773 square feet with a maximum height of 20 feet. The existing restaurant is 25 feet in height with 144 seats.

Currently, there are 72 seats inside and 72 outdoor seats.

The proposed banquet hall would have 100 seats, the restaurant would have 50 seats, and the bar area would have 30 seats.

Currently, the restaurant is open Monday to Friday from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday from 3:30 to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 3:30 to 9 p.m.

Cafe Emilia is proposing new hours of Monday to Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. for the restaurant. Hours for the rooftop bar would be Monday to Wednesday, noon to 11 p.m., Thursday to Saturday, noon to midnight, and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.

The applicant requires a D(1) variance because the proposed development will expand the restaurant onto the existing church parcel, which is not a permitted use in the R-20 zone (a single-family residential zone).

Additionally, the applicant requires a D(4) variance for the floor area ratio variance because a ratio of 0.16 is permitted, whereas 0.43 is proposed.

The applicant is also seeking several other variances for:

• Minimum frontyard setback from Route 202 - 200 feet required / 28.90 feet proposed
• Minimum parking setback from Route 202 - 10 feet required / 8 feet proposed
• Maximum improved coverage - 25 percent permitted / 89.9 percent proposed
• Minimum parking stall size - 9.5 x 18 feet required / 9 x 18 proposed
• Minimum loading spaces - 2 required / 1 proposed
• Minimum loading space size - 12 x 50 feet required / 11 x 24 feet proposed

The application is scheduled to be heard at the Zoning Board meeting on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Click here to view the full application.

Previous Reporting:

• Plans To Expand Bridgewater's Cafe Emilia Presented To Zoning Board
• 100-Seat Banquet Hall, Bar Addition Proposed At Bridgewater Restaurant On Route 202

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