150 Allen Road Update

January 28, 2024

When the Bernards Township Zoning Board of Adjustment convenes its special meeting Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m., it will pick up the proposed 150 Allen Road development hearing where it left off on Jan. 3. The proposal concerns an application made by Signature Acquisition, LLC, of Cranford, whose traffic expert is scheduled to field questions from lawyers of opponents and members of the public. Likely at a future hearing, Signature’s final witness, their planner, will testify and field questions from opposition attorneys and the public. 

Signature’s application seeks two oversized buildings to be repurposed for light manufacturing. Its proposal includes 24 loading docks designed for tractor trailer use, such as shipping and receiving. The multiple variances Signature has requested would involve buildings designed well beyond the allowable footprint, excessive building and retaining wall heights, and inadequate tree replacement. 

In addition to the heavy truck traffic, this project would generate (an estimated increase of 25% between Allen Road and Rt. 287 on Mt. Airy Road), opponents are concerned about Signature’s ownership of additional acreage contiguous to 150 Allen Road. Development of those parcels, however, is not under consideration at this time. For more background on 150 Allen Road, refer to this article, written by BTDC district rep, Bill Knox.

There are several groups organized to defeat the 150 Allen Road project. They include Protect Somerset Hills (PSH) with a private Facebook group as well as a public Facebook site. Fellowship Village – both the corporation and the residents – is also organized against Signature’s application.

Protect Somerset Hills (PSH), an affiliate of the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, seeks donations at https://protectsomersethills.org to sponsor legal costs of some of the objectors. In addition to Facebook, PSH also uses WhatsApp, WeChat and Instagram to raise awareness and urge opponents to attend the Zoning Board meeting(s). Showing up in person, even without speaking, can influence a board’s decision, they say.

Following Zoning Board protocol, individuals for or against this project may finally offer opinions at the end of all the testimony, cross-examination, and public questions.  

By MJ Walsh

leave a comment+

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending

Videos

Our opponents stand with Jack, and Jack’s with TRUMP

It’s pretty simple, really. It says something when you support a candidate for governor who says he’s all in on Trump. We believe Bernards Township deserves better. Watch the Video on YouTube

Brett’s daughter Ana speaks straight from the heart. An amazing tribute to a man who deserves our vote. Watch the Video on YouTube

Videos

It says a lot about a person when their children do this…

Videos

Ridge High School Student on Voting

We are grateful to Meera who not only made this video for us, but also invited several hundred students and alumni to Vote By Mail. Watch the Video on YouTube

McCarthy & Bannan:”Change the Status Quo”

Videos

Ana Duarte McCarthy and Joan Bannan know firsthand how close local elections can be. They worked hard to connect with voters and served us well. Being the lone Democrat on the Township Committee is not for the faint of heart. Joan Bannan served on the Committee from 2019-2021. Ana Duarte McCarthy currently serves, having won […]