Basking Ridge Denies Application To Demolish, Rebuild Vine Restaurant

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The proposed application to demolish and rebuild The Vine restaurant in Basking Ridge was denied.

The Bernards Township Board of Adjustment(BOA) unanimously denied the application during its Dec. 8 meeting from Baston 95, LLC for the property at 95 Morristown Road (Route 202) in Basking Ridge.

"I very much was hoping we could get this to a place where we can have a new restaurant on the site but in its current form I agree there are too many challenges with it," said Jeanmarie Genirs, board chairwoman.

The application was looking to knock down the existing building and build a new upscale Spanish-themed restaurant with two bars including a tequila bar on the second level and outside dining. Read More: Discussion To Demolish, Rebuild Vine Restaurant Continues

Neighboring residents spoke out during the meeting pointing to the impacts on property values due to increase noise, lights and quality of life.

Board Vice Chairman David Tancredi noted his concerns with the glass wall barriers, the upstairs tequila bar and the extended hours.

"I think it is going to create a quality of life issue for the neighbors with regards to noise and parking," said Tancredi.

Board member Lisamarie Baumann said she liked the proposed idea for the restaurant but noted the location was not the right place for it.

"There are pros and cons to this application. I think the proposed building is quite beautiful, I just don't think it fits in character with the neighborhood either," said Baumann.

"I love the idea of the tequila bar but it is just the wrong location for it," added Baumann.

With these concerns, the board unanimously voted to deny the application as it is currently proposed.

"I think the state it is in now doesn't do any good for any of our town or any of our property values," said Genirs.

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