BERNARDSVILLE – The borough Planning Board has given final approval for a "transformative" downtown apartment building while the town has been recognized by the state for its efforts to revitalize the area around the train station.
The Planning Board has approved a revised plan for a 67-unit apartment building on Olcott Square that had been the subject of a lawsuit after it was denied by the Board last year.
In addition, the state has announced that Bernardsville has been designated as the 37th municipality in the state to be designated as a Transit Village.
With the Transit Village designation, Bernardsville will continue to promote growth and increase access to mass transit in a pedestrian-friendly downtown with the NJ Transit Gladstone Branch Station as its focal point.
The rail line provides service to Newark Penn Station and transfer service to New York Penn Station.
In addition, Lakeland Bus Lines provides daily commuter service from the Bernardsville train station to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
In the past several years, Bernardsville has updated zoning to encourage mixed-used development near the train station, promote growth in and around downtown, and create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.
“To receive a Transit Village designation, municipalities must create redevelopment plans that promote economic activity around public transportation,” said state Department of Transportation Commissioner Fran O’Connor. “Bernardsville has taken steps to promote mixed-used development and businesses in its downtown near the historic train station that promote increased transit use and enhance the quality of life for residents."
Key to that revitalization been the Olcott Square project proposed by AR at Bernardsville, part of Advance Realty Investors of Bedminster.
AR at Bernardsville is under contract to purchase the property at the corner of Route 202 and Mount Airy Road from Palmer Enterprises, the business of former Somerset County Freeholder Peter Palmer, who also served as mayor of Bernardsville.
The project was the result of a redevelopment plan which started in September 2022 when it was designated by the Borough Council as an area in need of redevelopment. The redevelopment plan was adopted by the Borough Council in May 2023 after the Planning Board determined that it was consistent with Bernardsville's master plan. The borough and AR at Bernardsville then entered into a redevelopment agreement in August 2023.
Central Jersey cops wrote many more traffic tickets this past year. These counties, towns top the list
As part of the redevelopment agreement, AR at Bernardsville will pay $1 million to the borough's affordable housing fund in lieu of including any affordable units in the building.
But, after seven meetings and more than 20 hours of public hearings, last year the Planning Bard split 4-4 on the proposal, resulting in its denial.
AR at Bernardsville then took the Planning Board to court where a settlement was reached in May before Superior Court Judge William Mennen.
The proposal, seen as a centerpiece for the borough's downtown, drew criticism from many borough residents who saw it as a radical change to the appearance and nature of the downtown.
Despite the court settlement, at least one resident still expressed opposition to the project at the Planning Board's July 24 meeting when the revised plan came up for a vote.
“I think this thing's going to look ridiculous," said Mike Stevens.
But John Wyciskala, attorney for the developer, told the Planning Board that the project will be "transformative" for Bernardsville.
"We've got a project that is furthering the vision that your Borough Council had when we entered the redevelopment process," he said.
While saying "change is tough," Wyciskala said the project is "going to breathe new life into this area of town."
Email: [email protected]