Edison OKs 8 homes on former Charlie Brown's site after years of battle
EDISON - It may finally be over.
The long-running controversy over the redevelopment of the former Charlie Brown's restaurant site on Plainfield Road took a big step to the end when the township Planning Board on Monday approved a proposal to build eight single-family homes on the property.
The project will be called the Links at Edison because the property is next to the Metuchen Golf & Country Club.
The board vote came after years of political and legal battles over what should be built on the site. Original plans for townhomes and duplexes on the site were opposed by neighbors who objected to multi-family housing in the single-family neighborhood.
"Protecting our neighborhood's character and values was a hard-fought battle but we stood firm for almost three years to ensure our voices were heard," said neighborhood resident Nick Fagan. "Through compromise, the Edison Township Council and the applicant were able to preserve the essence of our community with single-family homes, safeguarding what makes it special."
The board's decision comes after the Township Council had earlier this year approved an ordinance to rezone the property to allow single-family homes as a permitted use. The ordinance was part of a court settlement with the developer Markim Developers.
Under the settlement Markim Developers can subdivide the property into eight lots with a single-family home on each lot.
Earlier: Former Charlie Brown's site in Edison is rezoned after 3-year dispute
Markim had originally proposed developing 23 townhomes on the property, and later revised the plan to construct 14 age-restricted duplexes which was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
A resident then appealed the board's approval to the Township Council which overruled the board's approval in October 2022.
Markim Developers then went to court to overturn the council's ruling before the settlement was reached.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison OKs 8 homes on former Charlie Brown's site after years of battle
