Two related large development projects for Cherry Hill’s Route 70 return to the Zoning Board on Thursday July 18th with plans to develop two new hotels, a restaurant (with bar area), coffee shop, and the remodel of an existing car wash.
The meeting is set for Thursday July 18th with the Caucus taking place at 7pm, and the Regular Meeting at 7:30pm. This is a remote Zoom meeting. Access details can be found here.
The projects were originally approved in 2020 but now return to the Zoning Board for reapproval due to a few changes in the project layout… most notably switching within the site plan the locations of the two hotels.
The location for this large effort is on Route 70 in a mostly undeveloped area between Cuthbert Boulevard and The Body Shop… along the North side of Route 70.
An existing car wash is located on the property and will become part of the new development, after a full remodel.
To likely better place the proposed project, it is located directly across Route 70 from the large DoubleTree hotel (previously Crowne Plaza), as well as a multi-story Cooper specialty care facility.
The large project has been split into two different applications and efforts, with the two hotels and restaurant on one property (eastern segment). The car wash and coffee shop would be located on the western segment (closer to Cuthbert).
While the restaurant and coffee shop have not been named, the two hotels are identified as a Residence Inn (131 rooms) and a Hampton Inn (120 rooms)
Once developed there will be no direct interior road access between the two properties.
Cherry Hill Redevelopment Area
Over the years several businesses have operated on the property for the proposed new developments, including a stone supply company, gas station(s) as well as The Old Pro miniature golf course.
But the reality is considering the prime location on route 70 and the success that Cherry Hill has seen in commercial developments, I think most would agree this property has never been fully developed to its potential.
Cherry hill officials recognized this lack of positive development and included the property in a redevelopment area… Redevelopment (Area 5) Western Gateway Phase II.
Redevelopment Area laws in New Jersey were established to help towns identify areas that are not fully developed or have a negative impact on the community (say, due to deterioration of existing developments)… and can then enact specific steps for the redevelopment areas in hopes of spurring positive development efforts.
In the prior resolution regarding the earlier approval it calls out three criteria for the inclusion of the property for it’s inclusion in the redevelopment area; Deterioration, Abandoned buildings, and Obsolete layout in design.
As mentioned this project was previously approved by the Cherry Hill Zoning Board, where expert commentary stated the properties are currently an eyesore and underutilized, and the benefits of the current proposed project greatly outweighs any negatives.
This new approval is for adjustments to what was already previously approved.
Hotels and Restaurant
The hotel portion of the project consists of two separate hotel buildings, and a third building for a restaurant.
Residence Inn: A five-story hotel with 131 rooms which will be operated with approximately 45 employees. This building will include an indoor pool as well as an outdoor patio area with grill, meeting rooms and a fitness room.
Hampton Inn: A five-story Hotel with 120 rooms, and will be operated with approximately 40 employees. It will also feature an indoor pool, meeting rooms and a fitness room.
Restaurant: will be a third freestanding building of 4,250 square feet, and is described as a small upscale eating establishment with a full scale bar area. The name/theme of the restaurant has not been disclosed.
Car wash and Coffee Shop
This segment of the proposed project will remodel an existing car wash as well as develop a new building for a coffee shop.
Car wash: This will be a full remodel of the existing car wash as well as a rebuild of the traffic flow for cars in and out of the car wash building. It will include a patio area, dedicated parking and other improvements.
Coffee Shop: the coffee shop is listed as an almost 2,500 square foot building with drive-thru. Project documents show 11 cars within the dedicated drive through space, but then there is additional room within the full site plan. A coffee brand has not been announced.
Links and Location
Zoning Board Meeting is Thursday July 18th, and will be a remote Zoom meeting.
For details on how to access please review the Zoning Board of Adjustment page at the Cherry Hill website.