Owner of adjacent apartment complex voices objections.
By: Shanay Cadette
WEST WINDSOR The Planning Board’s decision on a proposed Hilton Hotel and office park off Route 1 has been delayed once again.
The board agreed Wednesday to continue the hearing on the proposal next month, mainly because the developer of a neighboring property presented an alternative design that changes the location of buildings, parking spaces and the width of the trees in the buffer between its property and the proposed hotel.
Known as Greenview Corporate Park, the proposed project would include a 160-room, six-story Hilton Garden Hotel and four office buildings. The hotel and offices would be situated on 64 acres near the Square at West Windsor shopping center just south of Meadow Road. Meadowlane Apartments abuts the proposed project.
Of chief concern to the neighboring property owner is the 6-foot fence and 80 trees developer Switzenbaum Realty Capital proposed Wednesday to use as a screening buffer at the northern border of the property.
Attorney Christopher Tarr, who represents the owner of Meadowlane Apartments, contends there should be a more substantial buffer than what Switzenbaum has proposed, in addition to a setback. Mr. Tarr said his client also has problems with Switzenbaum’s plan to cut down numerous trees to make way for its hotel and office park.
Switzenbaum Realty initially approached the Planning Board in 1999 with a plan for a much larger development that included nine buildings. An unfavorable reaction from the board led to the developer returning with a scaled-down plan in 2001.
Because the Planning Board asked the applicant Wednesday to present an engineered proposal featuring its most recent changes to the plan, Switzenbaum has opted to seek only preliminary site plan approval for now.
Switzenbaum is expected to appear before the board again March 10.