'Too Big, Too Massive, Too Many Problems': Hillsborough Denies Warehouse Project

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — After three years of hearings, the Hillsborough Planning Board ultimately denied an application by Homestead Road LLC, which proposed to consolidate two lots, tear down existing buildings, and build two warehouses/office buildings off Homestead Road.

The Planning Board deliberated for two and a half hours before unanimously coming to its decision.

"The underlying theme here is I think that it is too big, too massive, too many problems," said Committeeman Shawn Lipani at the Sept. 4 Planning Board meeting.

The application proposed a total of 543,299 square feet of industrial and office space, which includes a one-story warehouse with 168,304 square feet and a 6,000 square foot office building along with another one-story 368,995 square foot warehouse.

Mayor John Ciccarelli listed many of the reasons for the denial of the application, including building height, traffic impact, noise and pollution factors, size and scale factor.

"We have a spec building where we don’t know really the number of employees, the actual number of vehicles that are going to be there. There are still questions on stormwater. The inconsistency on hydrological impacts on tributaries that also needs to be explored and that’s a significant stormwater issue. Routing of trucks to 206, defeats the purpose of the bypass," said Ciccarelli.

Ciccarelli said putting the warehouse in the center of town is "counter to being compatible with neighborhoods. The peace and solitude of the residents and neighborhoods around there."

Lipani added that the applicant could have proposed an application "that fit the build, the scope, and scale of what can fit there and be harmonious with the neighborhood, and still be a good building. They decided to go for the biggest building they could find and jam it in there."

Ciccarelli was the first to make a motion to deny the application, with Lipani seconding the motion.

"I believe that in the best interest of the safety and welfare of the population of Hillsborough, not just that live in this neighborhood, but all of Hillsborough, and the harm it would bring to this community, I second the motion," said Lipani.

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