New Wawa Site Considered For Chester's Turkey Farm

CHESTER, NJ — Chester Borough will soon hear an update on the fate of the Larison’s Turkey Farm property.

Planned for Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., the developers of the Turkey Farm/Mill Ridge project will be hosting a public presentation on an updated plan for the site.

The Chester Borough Council previously said that they had been considering a development plan for Larison's Turkey Farm that would create dozens of new homes, thousands of square feet of retail, office and medical space, and a new restaurant.

Under a plan submitted by the owners back in 2018, 20 townhouses and 36 affordable housing units would be built on the property, a significant decrease from the owner's original 144-unit proposal. The affordable units would be paid for by the developer and would satisfy the Borough's obligation to create affordable housing.

Also included in the old proposal was a 6,300-square-foot restaurant where the old Larison's Turkey Farm Restaurant used to be, with seating for 225. The owners were also looking to build a CVS with a drive-thru, an office building, and a medical building.

On Dec. 5, the developers will be discussing the addition of a new Wawa, which will replace a previously planned CVS and a preschool/early development center.

According to the borough, the meeting would be strictly informative, with no action taken by the board. The developers will be presented and their proposals will be discussed, with citizens encouraged to ask questions.

The owners of the land, set at the intersection of Rt. 206 and Main Street, have been trying to redevelop the property since 2002. The land grew larger in 2008 with the purchase of adjoining land on Mill Ridge Lane, where the owners attempted to build single-family homes.

The first plan for affordable housing would have been a 144-unit apartment complex with 28 affordable units. Prior discussions with the borough also included adding a hotel or convenience store to the land, which has not been brought to fruition.