Fortunoff still considering So. Brunswick warehouse site

[Sentinel]

Fortunoff still considering So. Brunswick warehouse site
Retailer negotiating with adjacent property owner over truck parking
BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer

The success of Fortunoff's negotiations with a neighboring property owner may be the deciding factor in its potential move to South Brunswick.

The retailer is looking to move its operations from its current main warehouse in northern New Jersey to a vacant warehouse in the area of Davidson Mill Road and Route 535 in South Brunswick. The South Brunswick Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 5-2 against the company's parking variance last month, raising fears that the retailer may look to move its operation elsewhere.

The township Planning Board approved Fortunoff's final site plan, including 122 trailer parking spaces on the warehouse property. The Zoning Board then rejected a variance that would have allowed 78 truck parking spaces at a site across the street, where developer and property owner South Brunswick Manor Inc. proposed a roughly 400,000-square-foot warehouse. Board members reportedly cited concerns with the proposal's impact on traffic, shielding and visibility for motorists.




Mayor Frank Gambatese raised concerns about the Zoning Board's decision, saying the board should have granted leniency in light of the recession and the fact that the company would occupy a vacant warehouse. He said he did not want Fortunoff to go to a neighboring town like Cranbury instead of South Brunswick.

"I do not want to leave the building unoccupied, because we're not getting the proper tax ratable on an empty building," Gambatese said.

Gambatese said it was not clear what the company would do yet since the talks he had with Fortunoff representatives last week. However, the retailer is reportedly discussing a potential leasing agreement with a neighboring property owner in order to provide the 78 additional parking spaces it needs for tractor-trailers, Gambatese said.

"IDI Property Company is right next to them," Gambatese said. "IDI has approval for a warehouse on that property, plus truck parking. Since they did not build that warehouse now, they can lease part of the property to Fortunoff for the time being."

Gambatese noted that the retailer would not need a variance in this case, since the Industrial Developments International Inc. property is adjacent to the warehouse that Fortunoff wants to move into. The company had to go before the Zoning Board for its original plan because the lot where it wanted to utilize 78 parking spaces for trucks would have been across the street.

"Once you cross the road, you're out of Planning Board jurisdiction," Gambatese said. "Now a zoning variance is required."

Gambatese said that the Township Council would decide next week on whether to allow a retail store in the LI4 zone that Fortunoff is looking to move into. If officials approve the zoning change at their Dec. 16 meeting, Fortunoff would be able to go through with opening a store on the site to sell its wares.



"They are looking to have a retail component put into the 10,000 square feet of the warehouse itself," Gambatese said. "We have to change the ordinance for that."

Gambatese said he hopes IDI and Fortunoff can come to an agreement on leasing the property for parking purposes.

"I'm hoping they can work it out," Gambatese said. "This is a very good company we'd like to keep in South Brunswick. It is a benefit we think not only to Fortunoff, but to the township in terms of the ratables they would bring in and the store residents could shop at."

Lori Rhodes, a spokesman for Fortunoff, said the company cannot comment at this time due to ongoing negotiations.

http://nbs.gmnews.com/news/2008/1213/front_page/002.html

[Guest]

This article makes me wonder if Cranbury has any ratables that are empty commercial buildings - and if so, what is Cranbury doing to help fill these especially in this economic times. I hate to see empty buildings that will deteriorate the longer they remain unoccupied.

[Guest]

Not sure, but it's not Cranbury's role. The only way that could be accomplished is through tax breaks. I don't want to give more tax breaks to company's right now.

[Cranbury Conservative]

Based on COAH's forumla So. Brunswick or any town which Fortunoff located would need to provide one affordable housing unit for the 24 new jobs which would be created.

[Cranbury Conservative]

As I thought more about Fortunoff moving into a 400,000 square foot warehouse I began to think more about COAH's math when it comes to warehouses. Just because a company occupies a 400,000 square foot warehouse it does not mean they are using the entire 400,000 square feet.

So how can COAH then mandate that x amount of jobs are created by a 400,000 square foot warehouse.

I guess it's just more fodder for the overall argument and helps to highlight more of what is wrong with the affordable housing rules and regulations here in New Jersey.