West Amwell board carries review of 1872 River Road final site plan to June 16

Chairman Sean Pfeiffer opened and the Land Use Board accepted testimony on the final site plan for 1872 River Road (The Quarry House). Property owners Michael Ehrenreich and Rebecca Gelman, represented by Attorney Rich Wells and Engineer Ted Bayer, outlined a two‑phase plan keeping the 2023 conditions while adding a 10‑room hotel (Phase I) and a 17‑seat restaurant (Phase II). A roll‑call motion to deem the application complete with a requested waiver passed unanimously (mover: Brian Fitting; seconder: Joe Romano).

Attorney Wells said the “business plan for the property is the same as what was presented in 2023” and that prior restrictions remain in effect. Engineer Bayer described site infrastructure planned in Phase I, including the parking lot, access improvements to Old River Road, stormwater measures using porous asphalt and filtration, a 30,000‑gallon underground water tank and a separate 5,000‑gallon tank for sprinkler service. Bayer also testified that the septic was redesigned into two disposal fields to satisfy a 50‑foot setback and that a Treatment Works Approval had been secured from the Township Board of Health, NJDEP and the County Health Department.

Neighbors raised concerns about impervious coverage, plumbing fixtures and construction impacts; Attorney Wells said the site occupancy “is still capped at 79.” The board requested additional materials before the continued hearing: clarification of the proposed footpath, a kitchen/equipment review to confirm no external cooking equipment will be installed, and copies of NJDOT letters denying a crosswalk. Chairman Pfeiffer carried the hearing to the June 16, 2026 agenda at the applicant’s request.