Mayor Moench Makes Statement in Response to Center of Excellence Notice of Appeal

Bridgewater, NJ – Advance Realty, the owner of the Center for Excellence site, has filed a Notice of Appeal to the November decision by Somerset County Superior Court Judge Thomas Miller in favor of the Bridgewater Township Planning Board in Advance’s lawsuit attempting to circumvent appearing again before the Bridgewater Planning Board.  Advance Realty had filed suit against the Township claiming that the Planning Board had unjustly withheld final site plan approval for the grocer and hotel at their potential development site. This action was dismissed by Judge Miller, prompting the appeal.

“It is disappointing to see that Advance Realty has not taken the initial decision as an opportunity to thoughtfully reengage in the proper Township land use process by reappearing before the Planning Board” said Mayor Matthew Moench.  “Instead they are, again, attempting to end run the process and ignore this clear and concise ruling by Judge Miller. We remain confident that the Appellate Court will uphold the Township’s defense of its land use ordinances and our residents’ quality of life.”

The Township will now file an appellate case information statement in order for the Court to assign a briefing schedule.