Raising Cane's Seeks To Build New Restaurant In East Brunswick

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Raising Cane's Restaurants, L.L.C. has filed an application with the East Brunswick Township Zoning Board of Adjustment to construct a new restaurant location at the intersection of Route 18 and Cindy Way.

The project would involve demolishing the existing building and constructing an approximately 3,500 square foot Raising Cane's restaurant with drive-thru lanes, parking areas, and associated improvements.

The proposed development site is located on block 132.14, lot 1 on the municipal tax map within the HC-3 (Highway Commercial Shopping Center) zoning district.

The application includes numerous bulk variances that highlight the challenges of fitting the restaurant concept within existing zoning requirements:

The proposed development seeks a lot width of 465 feet versus the required 500 feet. The building setback requirements present particularly significant hurdles, with the restaurant building proposed at 63.7 feet and the canopy at just 25.4 feet from property lines, both falling well short of the mandated 100-foot setback. Additionally, existing parking spaces measuring 9' x 14.8' would remain in place despite ordinance requirements for 9' x 18' dimensions, and the proposal eliminates the typically required loading bay space entirely.

The application proposes eliminating the required 30-foot landscaped buffer along an internal lot line shared with adjacent commercial uses. This buffer is typically required to shield neighboring properties from parking lot illumination, headlight glare, and fumes.

The East Brunswick Township Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear this application on Aug. 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. The hearing will take place in person at the East Brunswick Township Municipal Building Courtroom, located at 1 Jean Walling Civic Center.

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