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Bridgewater approves developer agreement for Starbucks at Route 22; council and residents raise pedestrian and traffic concerns
Summary
The council approved a developer agreement for a Starbucks at 1288/1298 Route 22, with the site plan closing the property's Route 22 frontage and routing internal circulation via Morgan Lane; planners and residents debated pedestrian crosswalks, access restrictions and safety measures.
The Bridgewater Township Council voted to authorize a developer agreement with Bridgewater Realty 2, LLC for a Starbucks to be built on Block 222, Lot 6.01 (listed as 1288 and 1298 Route 22). Planner Catherine Sarmat told the council the zoning board approval included closing the Route 22 access and providing internal circulation and signage directing traffic to a common entry, with constrained right‑turn movements onto Morgan Lane.
"The approval actually included the closure of the access from Route 22 right in front of that property," Sarmat said, describing internal circulation, crosswalk provisions internal to the site and a plan to direct customers to the established entry point beside Stone Tavern. She said the design included crosswalk striping or depressed curbs for internal pedestrian connections.
Council members and at least one resident pressed for clarifications about pedestrian safety and the potential for people to cross Morgan Lane toward a nearby Jiffy Lube. One resident from Buxton Road raised the scenario of motorists dropping off cars at Jiffy Lube and walking to Starbucks while their vehicle is serviced, asking whether sidewalks or crosswalks exist on Morgan Lane.
Sarmat acknowledged sidewalk and state‑right-of-way limits: "I don't believe there's sidewalks that turn off of 22 right there," she said, and noted that any crosswalk on Route 22 likely would require state (DOT) review depending on the right‑of‑way. She and other officials said the zoning board expressly limited frontage access and included conditions to manage internal circulation and pedestrian crossings inside the site rather than inviting crossings on Route 22.
Council members also discussed the number and nature of variances required at the zoning board; Sarmat said the project required a use variance for the drive‑through (not otherwise permitted) and a set of setback variances. The council approved the developer agreement by roll call; members present voted in favor.
The council also noted a separate ordinance (introduced the same meeting) that would allow municipal police to enforce certain parking and traffic signs on private properties; final action on that ordinance (amending Chapter 206) is scheduled for June 25 in the municipal courtroom.
