Bernardsville Plans for Palmer Square Redevelopment Spark Traffic and Safety Debates

In the latest Bernardsville Planning Board meeting, a comprehensive debate unfolded over the proposed redevelopment project for the Palmer Square area. The focal point of the discussions was the project’s impact on traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and infrastructure, touching on architectural design and regulatory compliance. With an emphasis on the proposed mix of residential and commercial spaces, board members, applicants, and the public scrutinized the updated traffic study, scrutinized potential implications of the development on the intersection and surrounding areas, and discussed the challenges of pedestrian infrastructure.

The applicant’s presentation on the Palmer Square redevelopment project detailed accommodations made for Somerset County road widening requirements. Concerns were raised about the potential traffic congestion and the safety of pedestrians, particularly in relation to the southeast corner and the alignment discrepancy between Mt. Airy Road and Route 202. The traffic engineer’s updated study showed minimal increases in delay. However, the difficulty of certain traffic movements and the necessity for time-of-day restrictions were debated.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the project’s traffic and delivery plans. Specific attention was given to vehicle speeds on Morristown Road, the frequency and size of delivery trucks, and potential left turn restrictions from Route 202. The board sought clarifications on the traffic model utilized and its consideration of modern delivery methods, such as Uber and pharmaceutical services. The peak hours for traffic count collection were disclosed, with the highest volumes pinpointed within those periods. The applicant displayed willingness to discuss intersection improvements, with stipulations not to encroach on the property or walkway.

Pedestrian safety concerns were at the forefront of the discussions. The placement of the crosswalk in relation to the access driveway was scrutinized, with potential safety features like flashing beacons or motion detection considered. The board also debated the increase in pedestrian volume due to the redevelopment and its impact on traffic flow and safety.

The meeting delved into the potential impact of shifting a building to the east to improve setback and sight lines. Members expressed concern that moving the building could result in higher vehicle speeds and thus pose a risk to pedestrian safety. The need for official confirmation from the Department of Transportation regarding planned RightWay lights and the feasibility of changing the corner radius were also topics of discussion.

The proposed retail commercial building’s impact on traffic was questioned, with board members and the public expressing concerns about vehicle circulation and pedestrian safety. Specific concerns were raised about the dimensions from the building corner to the stop bar and the facade’s impact on traffic. The utilization of internal capture credit and pass-by reduction credit in the traffic impact study was questioned, and the management of emergency vehicle access was discussed.

Architectural plans were dissected in detail, focusing on material choices, including stone and shingle treatments, and the design of awnings. There was also a discussion about the transparency rules for the building, the slope of the driveway and its drainage implications, and the layout of the lower level apartments, especially regarding access and maintenance capabilities.

The board debated the inclusion of den spaces and the necessity of doors in these areas, which could lead to non-compliance with regulations. Fire safety was a concern, with suggestions to install balconies outside windows as areas of refuge and disagreements on the necessity of fire escapes.

The debate on the architectural features and materials, landscaping, and the construction methods, including the lower level and service entries, highlighted the complexities of evaluating the redevelopment’s impact.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Mary Jane Canose
Planning Board Officials:
Joe DeMarco IV, Karen Gardner IV, Shari Bunks Geller IV, Robert Graham (Chair) IV, Jeff Horowitz IV, Chad McQueen III, Hal S. Simoff IV, Marc Walden II, Ross Zazzarino I

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording