Zoners to review hotel plan

Approval could mean new hotel and restaurant for area

By: Bill Greenwood
   The Zoning Board of Adjustment is expected to hear a case that could bring a new hotel and restaurant to the township.
   South Brunswick Hospitality Holdings is seeking site plan approval and several variances to construct a 25,333-square-foot, four-story hotel and a separate 7,230-square-foot restaurant. If approved, the structures would be built on a 5.73-acre lot at the intersection of Route 130 and Melrich Road.
   The application is expected to be on the agenda tonight (Thursday) at 7:45 in the Municipal Building.
   Hospitality Holdings needs variances because it’s proposing to build less than the required number of hotel rooms, because the conference room is smaller than is allowed, and because the restaurant will not be accessible from the hotel’s lobby.
   The township requires a minimum of 150 guestrooms and a minimum 5,000-square-foot conference room for all hotels. The proposed building would have only 116 guestrooms and a 740-square-foot conference room.
   In addition, the township requires that the restaurant be accessible from the hotel’s lobby, which would not be the case should the current plans be approved. The restaurant is expected to have 175 seats and 18 barstools.
   A variance is also needed because the township requires that hotels be built on a minimum 6-acre lot. The proposed site is only 5.73 acres.