Anchor Glass Mixed-Use Project Hearing Delayed in Aberdeen

The Aberdeen Township Planning Board delayed the April 17 hearing of Somerset Development's plans for a mixed use community at the old Anchor Glass Factory.

Somerset Development, LLC was seeking preliminary and final site plan approval for the first phase of The Glassworks project as well as preliminary approval for the second phase. 

According to the planning board agenda, the current plan for The Glassworks includes the demolition of the existing factory, preservation of the three smoke stacks and construction of a mixed use development with 500 residential units, a community center, pool, neighborhood park, 8,200 square feet of retail space, a 110-room hotel and a movie theater. The plan also calls for residential and commercial parking, landscaping, lighting and grading and drainage improvements. 

Before officially opening the hearing, the planning board determined the application for final site approval was too vague and that they were uncomfortable approving the plan in phases. The board also wanted to ensure that the old Anchor Glass Factory would be removed at the beginning of the project.

Board Attorney Michael Leckstein said the board would not approve a plan without concrete architectural plans.

"This is a huge project and they (the board) really want to see what it looks like," Leckstein told Somerset. He also criticized a letter accompanying architectural renderings, sent to the township by the developers' attorney.

The letter stated, in part: "These conceptual renderings are for illustrative purposes only. They are intended to provide the board with a sense of mood and character of The Glassworks project and are in no way binding on Somerset Development." 

Leckstein said the language was "not acceptable."

Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset, said the firm submitted a conceptual architectural plan at this stage to set general standards for participating developers who will then bring some variety to their respective portions of the project.

"We don't want this to look like one house over and over again. If we can agree, we will submit typical floor plans, typical again in terms of engineering," Zucker said. "I don't think we should be required to engineer every single last pipe and screw on a site of this size."

He said he would welcome a requirement by the board that each developer seek approval for their designs to ensure that they meet the township standards.

The hearing, not officially opened, was rescheduled for June 19. Property owners within 200 feet of the property will not receive additional notice about the hearing change. The plans to be heard by the board must be on file by June 9.