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Planning Board carries redevelopment plan for former dealership; Popeyes and Taco Bell proposals reviewed
Summary
Newton Development proposed redeveloping a former car dealership on Hampton House Road with Popeyes, Taco Bell (both with drive-throughs) and two retail spaces; the board carried the application to June 18 for additional review of NJDEP permits, traffic study coordination and revised sign/parking plans.
Newton Development LLC presented a proposal on May 21 to redevelop the vacant car-dealership property at 32–34 Hampton House Road into a commercial center with two fast-food drive-throughs (Popeyes and Taco Bell) and two additional retail tenant spaces. The Planning Board carried the application to its June 18 meeting for further review of outstanding technical items.
Attorney Jason Tuvel introduced the application. Project engineers and the traffic consultant described proposed site changes including combining two lots, partial demolition of the existing building, new private water and sewer utilities, stormwater management measures, and a pending Letter of Interpretation and Flood Hazard Area permit application with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding nearby wetlands.
The proposed tenants and operating details were presented: Popeyes would operate roughly 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to midnight Friday–Saturday with about eight employees at peak shift hours; Taco Bell would operate roughly 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily with about eight peak employees. Mr. Bersch said deliveries would be scheduled outside peak hours.
The Board and consultants reviewed variances and technical compliance items: sign-area and number variances for freestanding and façade signs, reduced parking-stall sizes and counts, an 8-foot trash-enclosure wall height variance, and lighting levels that exceed the 2-footcandle average in some localized points. Engineer David Simmons flagged the need for NJDOT or county traffic-control coordination for Route 206, an as-built plan from a licensed land surveyor, and careful handling of a one-foot overlap in property lines with an adjoining diner.
Traffic engineer Corey Chasse reported the submitted traffic study is under review by NJDOT and recommended signal-timing adjustments to address vehicle queues; he also said drive-through lane capacity should meet demand. Architect Robert Grimaldi described façade treatments, internal lit signage and proposed screen/guarding for gas meters.
Because supplemental materials and additional coordination with state and county agencies remain outstanding, the Board—on a motion by Mr. Dooley and second by Mr. Gunderman—carried the application to June 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM without further notice.
