Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich has prevailed in its effort to block a warehouse proposal in Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey.  The project, referred to as the “B9” application, was to construct two warehouses near and along what the Township refers to as a scenic corridor.  On September 26, 2023 the Franklin Township Planning Board rejected the application by an 8-0 vote.  The application had been on-going for over a year.

According to Stuart Lieberman, the firm’s lead attorney on the case, “We are gratified by the board’s decision, which was based largely on noise, public health, and flooding concerns.  We are so proud of the hundreds of residents who appeared at every single meeting and provided valuable testimony as well as to why the project should be rejected.”

Lieberman presented a hydrologist and a noise mitigation expert as well as a licensed New Jersey planner to provide testimony during the proceedings.  The case was particularly controversial because the applicant proposed two large warehouses back to back, not just one.   There were also several residential communities across the street from the site proposal, many of which had pre-existing flooding problems.

Several months ago, Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich was retained in another warehouse opposition in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, which has since been stayed after the Hamilton Township Mayor publicly announced plans to negotiate a purchase of the property in question.  That case had received a denial by the Planning Board, which was afterwards remanded following a Court challenge.

Earlier this year the law firm represented an environmental group opposing a large scale residential development in Brick Township, Ocean County.    After almost a year of hearings, that contest ended with the County instituting required measures to obtain the property for public recreational purposes.

Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich represent applicants and community groups in land use applications throughout New Jersey.  The firm also provides environmental and commercial real estate representation.