2025 at 3:01 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Basking Ridge native Caitlin Cunningham is expanding and revamping her Ridge Sweet Shoppe into Ridge Sandwich & Sweet Company at the new location
NJ — A new sandwich and sweet shop is opening in Basking Ridge
Basking Ridge native Caitlin Cunningham is expanding and revamping her Ridge Sweet Shoppe into Ridge Sandwich & Sweet Company at the new location
After opening the sweet shop in April 2024, Cunningham began expanding it to include additional menu items last summer. Read More: Ridge Sweet Shop Opens With Taylor Swift-Inspired Dessert Menu
Ridge Sandwich & Sweet Company was approved to open for business
"We appreciate the patience of our loyal customers during this transition
It’s been a LONG time coming!!!" said Cunningham on her social page
The shop is still available for online orders via DoorDash
UberEats and GrubHub to order their staple dessert items that we had available at the Sweet Shoppe
Cunningham is currently still in the process of putting the finishing touches on the interior setup to include indoor and front porch seating at the new location
An official grand opening date has not been set yet
which opened in June 2022 on West Oak Street
For more information or to follow the transition process, visit facebook.com or instagram.com/ridgesweetshoppe
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com
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A suburban New Jersey town denied a small Muslim congregation the right to build a new mosque where it could meet to worship
Mohammad Ali Chaudry is a Pakistani immigrant who has lived with his family in Basking Ridge
in economics from Tufts University and is a retired AT&T executive
has a long history of community engagement
including serving on the town’s board of education and as mayor from 2004 to 2007
He is also the founding and current president of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge
Chaudry began looking for property to build a larger space to hold the Society’s prayer meetings and Sunday school for children
Chaudry purchased a 4-acre site zoned for houses of worship and began planning construction
unassuming mosque was designed to fit in with the residential neighborhood
without a traditional dome and with discrete minarets that looked like chimneys
Red tape discrimination from the town board
after the Society filed its application for a permit with the Township’s Planning Board
what ensued was four years of local bureaucratic quagmire
The Board held a record 39 public hearings during which time the Society faced hostility and vandalism from members of the local community
The Society’s application met every requirement from the Township Planning Board
the 150-congregant mosque was required by local ordinance to have 50 parking spaces—the same amount required for churches and synagogues of the same size
But local bureaucrats changed the rules to require more than double that amount of parking for the mosque
the application to build the mosque was ultimately denied
Becket filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the mosque
which was signed by a diverse coalition including the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists
Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
and Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey
On November 22, 2016 the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Township of Bernards over the denial of zoning approval for the mosque. On December 31, 2016, the court ruled in favor of the mosque’s right to build
In May 2017, the Township settled the lawsuits
agreeing to treat all houses of worship equally
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2025 at 2:21 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Bernards Township Police Department is looking to hire crossing guards to help local students and pedestrians safely cross the roads
NJ — The Bernards Township Police Department is looking to hire crossing guards to help local students and pedestrians safely cross the roads
Crossing Guards will be paid $19.80 per hour
Guards will only have to work 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon
Crossing guards could earn $39.60 per day if they work both shifts
call 203-200-0043 or email info@crossingguardservices.com
"We all try very hard to make the best situation we can out of a situation we prefer not to be in," said Deputy Mayor Andrew McNally of the obligation
"The staff and professionals that we have consulted with believe that moving these ordinances forward to fulfill this mandate — which we prefer not to have to do — is the best way forward for Bernards Township."
The Township Committee introduced two ordinances at its March 11 meeting to meet its obligation
The ordinances include creating the SH-4 Senior Housing Zone which increases the number of units from 308 to 339 units
It also increases the total square footage from 231,666 to 259,666 square feet
The second ordinance calls to replace the Westgate Village Mixed Use Senior Overlay Zone within the E-3 Zone with the Westgate Village Mixed Use Zone
The zone would specifically change the zone to include family inclusionary housing
which means it is a mix of market and affordable housing units
It also increases the density of housing units from 375 to 574 units
And it ultimately reduces the amount of nonresidential development by around 210,000 square feet
The project would include a hotel of about 217,000 square feet and 20,000 for nonresidential space (down from the 230,000 nonresidential area previously allowed)
the ordinances were given to the Planning Board for consistency review with the Township's Master Plan
Both ordinances were found to be inconsistent with the Master Plan but were given recommendations to satisfy the Township's affordable housing obligation
The DCA's published a non-binding number of 218 affordable housing units for Basking Ridge
28 meeting the Township proposed a lower number of affordable housing units of 171 units in response
Since then the New Jersey Builders Association has filed a lawsuit against the Township arguing against the lower number proposed
said Bernards Township Attorney John Belardo at the March 11 meeting
While waiting for the final number to be decided for the Township
McNally noted they are proposing to build more than their 171-unit proposal just in case
"We don’t know what the number is… so we have to work to get there
What we are introducing tonight are two opportunities to get there," said Committeewoman Ana Duarte McCarthy
We have to do what is best for our community
I don't want to see us having to pay taxpayer dollars to fight litigation."
Committeewoman Jennifer Asay was the only one on the Committee to vote against the two ordinances
"The plan before us this evening is nothing short of an epic failure of leadership and a breach of fiduciary duty
We should be acting in the best interest of our community to protect our Town’s character
and also first responder capacity," said Asay
Asay instead suggested that the Committee join the New Jersey Highlands Council which she claims would lower the Township's affordable housing obligation
McNally disagreed with joining the Highlands Council saying
"What we are talking about when talking about joining the Highlands Council is surrendering local control over land use to an unelected body comprised of people who don’t live here."
Many residents spoke at the Committee meeting with some calling for special needs housing
Mayor Janice Fields assured the public that they are working on a separate plan to address special needs housing
"We are doing special needs housing even though you don’t see it and we’re continuing to work on it and have some other opportunities," said Fields
"The special needs community has indeed special needs so we have to be particularly careful that what gets built is suitable for those needs and we don't just try to shoehorn it in places where the developer is not prepared to do that thing," said McNally
The two ordinances now return to the Township Committee with the Planning Board's recommendations
A public hearing and final reading of the two ordinances will be held at the April 15 Township Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m
in the Warren Craft meeting room at the Municipal Building
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Planning Board approved the ordinances rather than reviewed them and found them to be inconsistent
which boasts a population of 28,151 earned top marks with a 0.0 violent crime rate and a 2.3 property crime rate per 1,000 people
The violent crime remains the same with 0.0 in 2024 and the property crime is down from 2.4 in 2024
Vernon Township in Sussex County was the top-ranked city on the list
Here is how other towns ranked in New Jersey under the top 20:
looked at FBI crime statistics for cities in the state to compile its annual Safest Cities report
A total of 128 cities met the criteria to be considered for ranking
including municipalities like Bernards Township and Denville Township that reported zero violent crimes
2025 at 4:58 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The Township Committee was not unanimous on accepting the settlement during its March 25 meeting
NJ — The Township's affordable housing obligation is now set at 198 units
following a lawsuit settlement late Tuesday night
The lawsuit filed by the Fair Share Housing Center contended that the Township's obligation was 225 units
the Township proposed a lower number of affordable housing units of 171 units in response
Through mediation and a settlement agreement
the Fair Share Housing Center and Bernards Township agreed on 198 units instead
"It essentially splits the difference between 171 units and 225 units to 198 units," said Township Attorney John Belardo at the March 25 Township Committee meeting
The Township Committee was not unanimous on accepting the settlement
Committeewoman Jennifer Asay and Ana Duarte McCarthy both voted against Resolution 2025-195 to execute the mediation agreement
and Committeeman David Tancredi all voted in favor of the resolution
None of the Committee members made a comment following the vote
Belardo also noted that the settlement will protect the Township from any lawsuits challenging their affordable housing number from the New Jersey Builders Association
Belardo added that if the Township passes the two ordinances introduced on March 11 then it "would add up to 198 units and would meet the settlement number without any further action necessary to be taken."
The project would include a hotel of about 217,000 square feet and 20,000 for nonresidential space (down from the 230,000 non-residential area previously allowed). Read More: Affordable Housing Plan 'Inconsistent' With Basking Ridge Master Plan
On March 18
The two ordinances now return to the Township Committee with the Planning Board's recommendations
A public hearing and final reading of the two ordinances will be held at the April 15 Township Committee meeting at 7:30 p.m
2025 at 4:55 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Owner Ricky Pennisi held a grand opening on April 17 for his franchise location at 1 Brownlee Place in Basking Ridge near Oak Street Elementary School
Owner Ricky Pennisi held a grand opening on April 17 for his franchise location at 1 Brownlee Place in Basking Ridge near Oak Street Elementary School
"We believe that eating healthier alternatives should never be a chore. That’s why we pride ourselves in blending our acai fresh each day, producing our own homemade granola and topping our product with only the freshest of fruits. All of our product is real food for people looking for a delicious, quick and affordable meal," according to mysobol.com.
The menu offers a variety of bowls
For more information visit mysobol.com or instagram.com/sobol_baskingridge or facebook.com/SoBolFranchise
NJSP troopers responded to a report of a suspicious package located on the right shoulder of I-287 near milepost 25 in Bernards Township
Troopers found a large green "Retriever" brand dog food bag containing the remains of a dead black canine
Detectives believe the bag was discarded between 10 p.m
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or events leading up to it is urged to contact the Troop “B” Somerville - Criminal Investigation Office at 908-725-0107
"The Zoning Board of Adjustment is confident that its unanimous 6 to 0 denial of the Signature Acquisitions LLC application will be upheld by the Superior Court on appeal," said Zoning Board Attorney Steven K
Warner noted that the applicant failed to meet its burden of proving either the positive criteria
or either of the two prongs of the negative criteria
Signature's application was proposing to remove the existing 174,546-square-foot office building and build two new buildings at 150 Allen Road
The new buildings would consist of 97,185 square feet of light-industrial/manufacturing space and 30,792 square feet of office space
The project was met with much pushback. A total of 70 residents spoke over a total of six hours at two different meetings expressing their opposition
Many residents specifically spoke about the impacts the traffic would have to the area
Ultimately at that same meeting, all six members of the Bernards Township Zoning Board of Adjustment voted to deny the application, citing issues with the D-4 variance, which looked to exceed the allowable Floor Area Ratio(FAR) from 15 percent to 19.83 percent. Read More: Basking Ridge Denies Allen Road Manufacturing Building Application
Signature Acquisitions then filed a lawsuit against the Zoning Board in Somerset County Superior Court on March 27 claiming the Zoning Board "acted arbitrarily, capriciously, and unreasonably" when it denied the application. Read More: Lawsuit Filed Over Denial Of Allen Road Manufacturing Building In Basking Ridge
See below for the Zoning Board’s resolution of denial:
ZB22-028 Signature Acquisitions LLC - 150 Allen by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd
The Township Committee approved two ordinances
at its April 15 meeting to meet its obligation
Committee woman Jennifer Asay was the lone no vote on both ordinances
I am confident we can reduce the families by a substantial percentage
easing our community burden," said Asay at the meeting
The ordinances include creating the SH-4 Senior Housing Zone which increases the number of units from 308 to 337 units
The 29 income-restricted units for seniors would be built on the property connecting the Ridge Oak senior citizens complex on Manchester Drive
"We do have a [state] mandate and the mandate doesn’t go away if this body refuses to fill it
If we were to refuse to exercise our judgment to fill the mandate
we leave it to a judge to sort it all out in response to builders’ remedy lawsuits," said Deputy Mayor Andrew McNally
"I believe that the responsible thing for this body to do is decide on an approach that develops as little as possible both in terms of overall units and number of sites
And a lot of affordable housing is fundamentally a numbers game," continued McNally
"Ridge Oak helps us achieve this because it affords us one-for-one affordable housing plus bonus credits."
of which 115 units would be designated as affordable units
The project would include a 150-room hotel of about 217,000 square feet and 20,000 for nonresidential space (down from the 230,000 nonresidential area previously allowed)
"During my many years of service on the Zoning Board of Adjustment
I have been an opponent of overdevelopment
I voted against the Allen Road light manufacturing project and other proposals that were not consistent with the character of our community
It pains me deeply that we find ourselves in this situation," saoc Committeeman David Tancredi
I do not see any alternative that will result in less development to the Westgate project
This regrettable situation we find ourselves in as a direct result of the state’s affordable housing process
Committeewoman Ana Duarte-McCarthy said the Westgate project "feels like we are swallowing the bitter pill and where the perspective of overdevelopment is very relevant."
"If we adopt Westgate and the new overlay changes from senior housing age-restricted to multifamily units
The office building would be redeveloped into family units as would the existing parking garage," said McCarthy
She added that adopting Westgate and Ridge Oak and Our House will help the Township meet its affordable housing obligation
Mayor Janice Fields noted that the Ridge Oak and Westgate proposals were given to the Township Committee from the Township's Affordable Housing Committee who she says worked on this for a whole year
we got the proposal after they worked on it for a whole year
and this is what they recommended was the best option," said Fields
"I believe Westgaste offers us the least impact in our community
It’s one development versus three developments in town
making it the most reasonable option for all of us."
2025 at 6:45 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Here are a few restaurants in and around Basking Ridge from the online reservation service OpenTable: (Shutterstock)BASKING RIDGE
NJ — If you want Easter brunch and don’t want to cook it
several Basking Ridge restaurants will open Sunday
Here are a few restaurants in and around Basking Ridge from the online reservation service OpenTable:
Several upscale chains with locations near Basking Ridge have announced Easter brunch hours as well, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House are open on Easter
It’s a good idea to call ahead for reservations
it’s a good idea to call ahead to make sure the chain locations near you are open
"The attack left him severely injured, lying under another car, fighting for his life," said Christopher P., who set up the GoFundMe fundraising website for his father Blas
He also lost all the flesh on the upper part of his face
unable to walk or use his dominant hand," said Christopher
Blas is now recovering at home with the help of a stay-in nurse yet he still is facing significant challenges
and remains unable to use his dominant hand — preventing him from returning to work
he is behind on income and struggling to cover basic living expenses," according to the GoFundMe
The GoFundMe was set up to help cover medical
It has since raised more than $11,000 of its $30,0000 goal
"Your generosity will provide my dad with the stability he needs to focus on his recovery without the added stress of financial burdens
makes a difference," according to the GoFundMe
For more information or to donate visit gofundme.com/f/help-my-dad-recover-from-being-nearly-killed
On Nov. 6, 2024, at around 11:35 a.m., Bernards Township Police Department got a 911 call to go to a gas station located in the area of Valley Road. Read More: 15-Year-Old Carjacker Assaults, Runs Over Driver In Basking Ridge: PD
Officers were told that a 15-year-old juvenile had tried to steal a vehicle after assaulting the driver (a Bernards Township adult male resident)
who was outside of his vehicle putting air in his tires
The juvenile hit the driver and then got into the vehicle
the victim and another person — who were trying to gain control of the vehicle — fell backward
running over the victim who had fallen to the ground
The victim was caught underneath the vehicle before it came to a stop
Gas station attendants were able to help by jacking up the vehicle to allow the victim to be removed and he was taken to an area hospital to undergo emergency lifesaving treatment for his extensive injuries
Detectives from the Bernards Township Police Department
the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit
and members of the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office (CART) Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team are investigating
The 15-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with first-degree carjacking
third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon
"My dad has come a long way since the incident," said Blas Pereira's son Christopher to Patch
Pereira's life was turned upside down on Nov. 6, 2024, when he was assaulted by the teen while outside of his vehicle putting air in his tires
The juvenile hit Pereira and then got into the vehicle
who were trying to gain control of the vehicle
Pereira was caught underneath the vehicle before it came to a stop
"He had a lot of different deep wounds throughout his entire body
Those all fortunately now have healed," said Christopher
"He wasn't able to walk initially because he had broken his ankle
Pereira also lost function in his dominant hand because he had lost parts of his skin and had to get a skin graft
It's very different than what it was like before the incident
but it is at least usable and has recovered somewhat," said Christopher
Pereira is still undergoing physical therapy to regain full movement in his fingers
Pereira also suffered numerous injuries and deep wounds to his face
his lip still has some major problems and he is working with a plastic surgeon
he feels really bad about the injuries on his face
"It's pretty heartbreaking because he didn't deserve that."
The whole process has not only weighed on Blas but also his two sons
the way that we deal with the trauma is different
but I felt very alone throughout the whole thing," said Christopher
Christopher started a GoFundMe fundraising website to help cover medical
It has since raised more than $15,000 of its $30,0000 goal
Funds are still needed as Pereira recovers
"I’m infinitely grateful for every person that supported me and helped me," said Pereira
2025 at 12:29 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Flyer for the Ridge Softball Car Wash fundraiser
NJ — The Ridge Red Devils Softball Teams will be hosting a car wash on Sunday
the car wash will be held at Ridge High School from 10 a.m
All proceeds benefit the Ridge Softball Program
2025 at 1:03 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}At the Monday night Board of Education meeting
an update on what changes or cuts are being proposed to balance the proposed 2025-26 school budget of $128,523,243
NJ — The Bernards Township School District is hard at work looking for alternative ways to close an almost $4.4 million budget gap
One of those ways could be increasing class sizes
At the Monday night Board of Education(BOE) meeting
The district first introduced the budget at its March 10 meeting with the news that it must reduce staff by $2.51 million by May 5 and will also have to raise taxes
Board member Keith Molinari shared with the BOE on Monday the Curriculum Committee report
where he said the budget discussion took up the bulk of their meeting
"The focus has been on what the impacts to programming will be," said Molinari
The Committee first looked at non-staffing reductions
We are trying to cut these areas by half," said Molinari
"Program evaluations have been cut for the time being
Many new textbook purchases are being put on hold
many program updates are being put on hold
some class sections are being eliminated."
Staff reductions are still under discussion to decide who will be cut across what subject areas and grade levels
the goal is to minimize the impact on programming and focus primarily on increasing class size," said Molinari
each department reviewed what has been eliminated from supplies
textbooks and curriculum writing as well as the potential impact of staff reduction on programming
Molinari noted that based upon the outcome of staffing
"students and parents will have to understand that there's going to be less flexibility in changing levels once the school year commences."
He added that the Committee did find around a $100,000 cost savings in educational technology. The district will be switching to GoGuardian(a classroom management software) for a savings of around $80,000 and cutting the Seesaw program in Grades K-2 for another savings of around $14,000
thanked Molinari for the Curriculum Committee report
"Llooking for every penny that we can save the teacher's pay and the number of teachers we can keep - I think is a goal we should all be striving towards," said Klausz
Superintendent Nick Markarian and Business Administrator James Rollo initially presented the budget on March 10. Read More: $2.51M In Staff Cuts, Tax Increase In Bernards Township Preliminary School Budget
Rollo noted that the largest driver in the budget can be attributed to healthcare costs
"With healthcare benefits increasing over 21 percent
losing state aid - all those combined is a recipe for a tough year for us," said Shaw
The average home property value projected in Bernards Township for 2025 will be around $871,769.11
Rollo estimated residents would see a tax increase of $405.92
textbooks - to get down to the $4.4 million gap," said Markarian
Markarian said the district is looking at the other 60 percent of their budget
The district will be reducing staffing by $2.51 million
A public hearing and final vote on the budget is slated for May 5
2024 at 10:18 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The ordinance was introduced at the Dec
NJ — The possibility of a movie studio coming to Basking Ridge raised "excitement" and disagreements among Township Committee members and the public during a contentious meeting last week
The ordinance proposing to create a film studio and community campus overlay zone within the R-1 Zone would be located at the current Verizon campus off N Maple Avenue near Interstate 287
Mayor Jennifer Asay said this proposal includes a film studio with four sound stages with all activity to take place inside
It also includes a community center and housing for 16 adults with special needs and a workforce development and education space for those adults with special needs to use to get education and training for employment
The ordinance was placed on the agenda the night before the Dec
10 meeting raising concerns about transparency
"I've been sitting up here on the dais for five years and we've been telling our residents that there would be transparency and any ordinance that comes before us we would evaluate to the fullest extent
This ordinance was presented to the public 24 hours ago
which we usually post on Friday," said Deputy Mayor Janice Fields
"This has never happened before in the five years I’ve been sitting here on the Township Committee
We have not been transparent with the scope of this project that is before us tonight."
Fields along with Committeeman Andrew McNally asked for the ordinance to be removed from the agenda to give more time for review
unlike anything that Bernards has ever approved before
I personally have not had enough time to consider the proposal of this magnitude which stands to change the fabric of Bernards," said McNally
A vote to remove the ordinance from the agenda on Dec
"This is an introduction and all we are trying to do is make it transparent to you that this is a potential
We would like to take it to you at the next meeting then we can hear from the public at large
Those that live most closely and most likely affected and also the residents in the community at large," said Asay
with many echoing Fields and McNally's concerns for more time to review this ordinance
"I would urge you to really consider this because this is last-minute railroading and we are getting railroaded in terms of the people in the neighborhood," said Jaime McQuade who lives near the proposed film studio site
Township Attorney John Belardo explained the ordinance process where an introduction needed to be approved by the Township Committee before it goes before the Planning Board for review at their Dec
the ordinance would then come back to the Township Committee for a public hearing and final vote on Dec
If the Township Committee finalizes the ordinance
the developer would then need to submit a site plan application and go through the whole Planning Board process and hearings before a vote would be rendered
Resident Tim Ingling said he still felt "the timing is a lot of rush
We don’t even have a brief demonstration or brief facsimile of what it will look like if that will help to really show the true impact."
Resident Harry Wyman shared concerns about traffic and congestion in the area and also his frustration on the timing of the public hearing so close to the holidays
And the fact you are going to take a vote on the 23rd
So I have to come back here on the day before Christmas Eve
Asay noted that the need to act on this opportunity now had to do with a timeline for the developer to acquire a competitive film tax credit from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority
"There are three slots and two remaining with multiple people bidding," said Asay
"Why is the developer’s time table more important than the future of our community?" questioned Fields
McNally added that he was not convinced the Township Committee doesn't act now that the prospect of a movie studio goes away
Let's review this thing in a more fulsome manner
"The developer’s timeline even if not in a position to get the credits that's not my concern
my concern is the residents of this town."
Not everyone was against the proposal of a film studio coming to the Township
Resident Karen Fischer thanked the Committee for their "creativity for bringing this to our town."
my initial reaction is excitement," said Fischer whose son is part of the Ridge Drama Club
"There was a lot of excitement for the potential opportunities and what that could mean for the Ridge students… amazing opportunities."
Resident Sherry Nelson said she was "intrigued" about the proposal
"I am interested to see what type of positive this would be for our community to have housing for adults and students with disabilities
Committeeman Gary Baumann noted that "the introduction of the ordinance is not a decision to build a movie studio
It’s an introduction of an ordinance that leads to public hearings
Many of us up on the dais have the same questions
we need to know… before we get there need to see that as a proposal."
Committeewoman Ana Duarte McCarthy discussed the benefits such as revenue that film has brought to New Jersey
revenue opportunities for ancillary businesses — such as hotels
dry cleaning — providing a location for local students to experience skills-based learning
and opportunities to provide housing for adults with disabilities ad special needs
"In light of the growth of the film industry in the state and the unique positioning of Bernards Township
it is something that we want to look at to consider the opportunity for growth and development in this community and I’m supportive of the ordinance in concept," said Duarte McCarthy
"The way that some people act when they are faced with an opportunity they either dig in and try to figure it out or they throw their hands up and say I need more time," said Asay
"It should be in the best interest of our community to think about options
Considering options this is not jamming a film studio in our community."
the Township Committee ultimately voted to introduce the ordinance to create a film studio and community campus
and Duarte McCarthy voted in favor of the ordinance while Fields and McNally voted against it
The ordinance goes before the Planning Board for review on Tuesday
17 before coming back to the Township Committee on Dec
"The Board’s denial of the Application for preliminary and final site plan approval with bulk variance and/or design waiver relief was arbitrary
and was contrary to the principles of sound planning," according to the lawsuit
Signature Acquisitions filed the lawsuit in Somerset County Superior Court on March 27
Ultimately at that same meeting, all six members of the Bernards Township Zoning Board of Adjustment voted to deny the application citing issues with the D-4 variance, which looked to exceed the allowable Floor Area Ratio(FAR) from 15 percent to 19.83 percent. Read More: Basking Ridge Denies Allen Road Manufacturing Building Application
The lawsuit claims that the Plaintiff’s attorney explained to the Board at the time that "light manufacturing is a permitted use in the E-2 Zone and truck traffic is an inherent consequence of this permitted use
and that the light-manufacturing component of the proposed Buildings will be under a 15-percent FAR
the impacts of which are fully contemplated in the township's code for light manufacturing uses in the E-2 Zone."
"although it is clear that the Objectors and the public focused on truck traffic
they failed to present professional traffic testimony or compelling evidence of any substantial detriment arising from the relief sought."
A request for comment from Bernards Township Zoning Board Attorney Steven Warner was not immediately returned to Patch
CivilCaseJacket (17) by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd
2025 at 11:11 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}(Bernards Township Police Department)BASKING RIDGE
NJ — Bear sightings have been reported in the Township prompting police to share some helpful tips to keep residents' homes and the bears safe
2025 at 4:35 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The event will be held on April 5
NJ — Bernards Township is hosting its third Semi-Annual Town Wide "Green" Spring Yard Sale on Saturday
The event allows residents to sell and donate gently used goods which "is a great way to help the environment," according to the township
residents can donate unsold items to local rummage sales
The event will be held rain or shine from 9 a.m
For more information and to register your home for free visit bernards.org or email kkelly@bernards.org