Hopewell Planning Board Grants Preliminary Approval for Route 31 Warehouse After Lengthy Debate
The Hopewell Township Planning Board granted preliminary site plan approval for a 108,000-square-foot warehouse on Route 31 after a lengthy debate focused on architectural details, lighting, and traffic. The board also addressed concerns about the building potentially being converted into a data center, with the applicant stating no such intention and the township confirming current zoning prohibits data centers.
The Hopewell Township Planning Board voted to grant preliminary site plan approval for a proposed 108,000-square-foot warehouse on Route 31, but deferred final approval, citing outstanding questions regarding architectural details and lighting. The 12.4-acre property at 61 Route 31 North complies with existing industrial zoning requirements, prompting board members to focus on design elements rather than the project's overall appropriateness.
Applicant attorney Christopher Costa emphasized the project's compliance with zoning, requiring no variances. The board's discussion centered on the building's appearance, landscaping, and lighting, with members like Vanessa Sandom suggesting design improvements, while planner Paul Kiss cautioned against disguising the industrial nature of the building. Traffic analysis for the project drew scrutiny, as it relied on national Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) data rather than local traffic counts, despite concerns from board members Paul Kiss and Andy Swords about existing congestion on Route 31.
A significant point of discussion was the potential for the warehouse to be converted into a data center, an issue that has gained attention in Hopewell Township due to the high electrical, water, and fire protection demands of such facilities. Planning Board member Rex Parker asked for language to prevent this. Applicant attorney Christopher Costa and Township Planner Frank Banisch confirmed that data centers are not permitted under the current zoning ordinance. Board Attorney Trishka Cecil Waterbury assured that the final resolution would explicitly state the application is for a warehouse, not a data center, to differentiate fire protection and other reviews.
The applicant will now refine the architectural details and lighting plan before returning to the Planning Board for final site plan approval. The next meeting is scheduled for August 27.