Application To Demolish, Rebuild Vine Restaurant In Basking Ridge Continues To Heard

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Discussion surrounding the proposed plans to demolish and rebuild The Vine in Basking Ridge continued last week and will continue next month.

The continued hearing of the application was heard during the Bernards Township Zoning Board where experts speaking for the applicant, Baston 95, LLC, detailed parking arrangements, seating, setbacks and more.

The applicant had originally intended to renovate the existing restaurant at 95 Morristown Road (Route 202) in Basking Ridge but because of the age of the building, they have decided to demolish it.

The application is looking to raise 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.

The proposed new building will be increased from 6,352 square feet to 7,511 square feet (which include the first and second floors. This is an increase of 1,159 square feet. However the total lot coverage will remain the same at 38.3 percent.

Cathy Mueller, of Page-Mueller Engineering in Warren, spoke during the meeting particularly about the parking.

The application will keep the same number of seats of 215 total (165 for indoor and 50 for outdoor) but will change the number of parking spaces to 72 from 83, according to Mueller.

"The parking has been a bit convoluted over the years," said Mueller.

The lot would be restructured to provide a better flow in and out of the lot. Mueller showed the entry to the restaurant will be moved from the left side of the building facing Route 202 to the right side to allow for more parking near the entrance.

Additionally, Mueller noted a 6-foot solid fence would be installed along the backside of the property to shield neighbors from cars in the lot.

The meeting lasted more than 3 hours and will continue onto Oct. 6 where a landscape architect, traffic engineer, and planner will speak.

Residents will have a chance to ask questions of those experts, then the public will have a chance to comment on the application as a whole. However, several board members estimated with the amount of testimony left that the application would most likely continue into the following meeting before a decision is made.

The application was first proposed at the June 17 meeting. See below to view the full application:

Bernards Township Board of Adjustment Sept. 16, 2021 meeting by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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