Bell Works in Holmdel Wants Permission For On-Site Hotel

HOLMDEL, NJ - Bell Works - the well received redevelopment of the historic AT&T building here - is seeking permission to build a new 200+ room hotel on campus.

The applicant is scheduled to come before the Holmdel Planning Board at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Holmdel Township Municipal Building, 4 Crawfords Corner Road, to convene a public hearing on the application by Somerset Holmdel Development I Urban Renewal, L.P. for amended preliminary and final major site plan approval for Phase I of the Bell Works redevelopment project.

Planners on July 30, 2013 authorized preliminary and final major site plan approval and other relief - with final approval Aug. 20, 2013 to allow the Bell Works main building to be redeveloped as a mixed-use facility.

Now, Somerset wants to amend that approval to permit the development of a one-story hotel which would measure about 116,264 square foot and have 200+ rooms.

The hotel's main lobby and other hotel amenities and functions are proposed to be located within the building for a total of 135,647 square feet. The property is at 101 Crawfords Corner Road and houses the new Holmdel Public Library. It is adjacent to local schools and is filling up with technology businesses and start ups.

The property is about 134.82 acres and has been designated by the township as an "area in need of redevelopment," which both entitles it and requires it to adhere to the state Local Redevelopment and Housing Law and also is governed by the Alcatel Lucent Redevelopment Plan previously adopted by Holmdel officials.

The hotel application also seeks modified parking stalls, Americans with Disabilities Act accessible parking stalls, ADA accessible ramps for interior and exterior access to the building and electric vehicle charging stations in various locations.

Except for additional bollard lighting associated with the building's ADA ramps, the applicant does not propose any modifications to existing grading, drainage, utilities, landscaping or lighting, according to the legal notice for the public hearing.

Developers also are seeking possible bulk or "c" variances, if planners deem it necessary.

A copy of the application and documentation in support of the application are on file with the Planning Board secretary. These documents are available for public inspection during regular business days and hours at the Holmdel Township Municipal Building, 4 Crawfords Corner Road.

The Planning Board on Dec. 19 will consider an application for a 200+room hotel at the Bell Works site. Image via Shutterstock.