By sandi carpello
Staff Writer
JAMESBURG — An 80-year-old Victorian house at East Railroad Avenue and Harris Street will be converted into a First Constitution Bank.
The borough’s combined Land Use Board unanimously approved the bank’s plans at its Dec. 12 meeting. Renovations of the building will probably take place after Jan. 1, according to Borough Land Use Board Secretary Kelly Taylor.
No residents spoke out in opposition to the project, according to Zoning/Housing and Community Development Director Bernie Long.
The house formerly served as both a residence and an office building. It most recently was used for offices and an apartment, which was located on the second floor.
The 99-by-112-foot lot is located in a general business zone. The project did not require a use variance from the board.
Delaware Engineering, of Somerville, which is responsible for all renovations, plans to construct two handicap accessible ramps in front of the two-story building. The ground floor will be renovated into a bank, while the upstairs floor will be used as a storage area.
"The exterior will look pretty much the same," said Long. "The signage will be tasteful and will be kept to a minimum."
The bank plans to construct access points from both East Railroad Avenue and Harris Street.
Two parking spots will be available on the lot for employees, and customer parking will be available on East Railroad Avenue, Long said.
There will be one drive-through window with an ATM machine and two employee parking spaces in the back of the lot.
The proposed site will be First Constitution Bank’s sixth area location. Other locations include Plainsboro, Hamilton, Montgomery Township, Cranbury and Princeton.
At the Jan. 9 Land Use Board meeting, Sweet William and Thyme, a 3-year-old flower shop located at 27 East Railroad Ave., is scheduled to apply for permission to relocate its business to a vacant lot near its current location, where it would construct a new building. The new location is adjacent to the property that will be used by First Constitution Bank.
The project does not require a use variance.