The Hopewell Township Planning Board on Thursday approved a minor subdivision for Richard and Donna Gillespie and granted an extension for the Princeton West Innovation Campus (PWIC), while carrying several other applications to October meetings.
The board voted unanimously to allow a six-month extension for site plan compliance on two PWIC research buildings. The site is also known as the former BMS facility off Pennington Rocky Hill Rd. The applicant reported that approvals from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Mercer County and the Soil Conservation District have been secured, with Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission review still pending. Township staff confirmed that engineering and fire officials had signed off on the plans.
Two other PWIC applications — Enzene (Building 21) and BeOne (Building B1) — were carried to a special board meeting set for Oct. 7. The planning board announced no further notices will be required. The Deer Valley/US Home/The Venue application, located off Scotch Rd., was also carried to the board’s Oct. 23 regular meeting after the applicant requested additional time to address stormwater and engineering comments.
The main hearing of the night involved the Gillespie property at 131 Harbourton-Woodsville Road. The applicants sought approval to re-create a 10.078-acre flag lot containing the existing home and a 118.85-acre lot proposed for farmland preservation. The subdivision mirrors a 2019 approval that later collapsed amid disputes over deed restrictions.
Attorney Kevin Moore, representing the Gillespies, said the proposal was part of a settlement agreement with the board and neighbor Robert Robinson. Under the settlement, if the State Agriculture Development Committee does not purchase a farmland preservation easement on the larger parcel, the Gillespies must record a deed restriction limiting development on the lot to one single-family home.
The application required two variances: one for minimum flag lot size, reduced from the required 20 acres to 10.078 acres, and one for lot coverage, with 11.02% coverage where 6% is allowed. Land Surveyor Ted Pivovarnick and planner Tiffany Morrissey testified that the subdivision would preserve farmland and open space and was consistent with the township’s master plan.
Board members expressed support, noting that the reduced lot size variance preserved more land for protection. The board approved the application with conditions including submission of legal descriptions and compliance with stormwater rules for any future development.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Jim Burd raised concerns about the township continuing to hold Zoom-only planning board sessions. Board members acknowledged the concerns but said the current format was chosen for staffing and technological reasons.
The board’s next meetings are scheduled for Oct. 7 (special), Oct. 23 (regular) and Nov. 20 (regular). All planning board meetings are held via Zoom.
