After months of delay, the Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustment may finally hear a much-anticipated application on Wednesday, September 4. Case 23-14 requests a Use Variance to permit the construction of a three-story, approximately 150,000-square-foot self-storage facility at 130 Washington Crossing Pennington Road.
The proposed site for construction, Block 91, Lot 1, is located east of Scotch Road in an area of the Township zoned for Office Parks (OP). The applicant, 130 Washington Crossing Pennington, LLC, seeks a Use Variance to move forward with the project.
Since the original application for variance was filed in July 2023, this item has appeared on the agendas of most of the Zoning Board’s monthly meetings. The applicant has submitted supporting documents, including correspondence with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection regarding flood hazard area verification and line verification of freshwater wetlands. Additionally, the petitioner has submitted architectural renderings and reports detailing potential traffic and parking impacts.
Public opposition to this application has been vocal, with concerns that the project violates the Township’s Master Plan.
Local resident, James Stacey Taylor, shared with MercerMe: “We believe that if this variance is granted it will result in irreparable harm to Hopewell Township’s unique identity. This variance will be contrary to our commitment to be worthy stewards of what is best for the Township and our residents for future generations. We also believe that this will result in setting a dangerous precedent for other properties in the “OP” zone to be acquired by large concerns such as Amazon or other warehouse developers with deep pockets to pursue similar development.”
When contacted, representation for the applicant declined to comment.
Township residents and other interested parties can join the Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting at 7pm on Wednesday, September 4 via this zoom link.
Written by Meghan O’Connor for MercerMe.
