Public Hearing On Basking Ridge's Vine Restaurant Wednesday

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A public hearing where residents will be able to comment on the proposed plans to demolish and rebuild The Vine in Basking Ridge will be held on Wednesday.

The hearing will be held during the Dec. 8 Board of Adjustment meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Warren Craft Meeting Room.

The board will hear testimony from any resident who wishes to comment on the proposed project.

The applicant, Baston 95, LLC, 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 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.

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.

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 Cathy Mueller, of Page-Mueller Engineering in Warren.

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 application has been heard before the township's zoning board since it was introduced in June with experts speaking on different aspects of the project.

Now residents will have a chance to comment on the project as whole.

Board Of Adjustment Agenda Dec. 8 by Alexis Tarrazi on Scribd

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