Stone House restaurant in Warren revises plan for 'high end' hotel
WARREN – A proposal to build a 50-room "high end" boutique hotel next to the Stone House restaurant on Stirling Road is scheduled to return to the township Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 7.
The proposal by Maddy Realty requires a use variance because hotels are not a permitted use in the zone.
Another variance is required because the proposed hotel is three stories and only two-story structures are allowed in the zone.
If the board grants the variances, then Maddy Realty will submit a site plan.
The restaurant, which was formerly the Chanticler Chateau, and banquet facility will remain.
The proposal has been opposed by residents on nearby Dillon Court who have hired an attorney to present their arguments to the board.
The zoning board first started hearing the proposal in March 2021 and continued hearing testimony on April 5, May 3, June 7 and Aug. 2.
The hearing was continued so Maddy Realty could consider the feedback from the boards and adjust the plans.
Maddy Realty has already eliminated plans for a parking garage and has reduced the height of the hotel. No swimming pool or rooftop bar is planned.
READ: Developer plans 192 homes at Route 78 and Hillcrest Road in Warren
The footprint of the hotel building has also been moved on the site, further from the homes on neighboring properties, Chris Nusser, engineer for the developer told the board in July.
Frank Cretella, the managing member of Maddy Realty, previously told the board that facilities that cater to weddings also want to have hotels because guests prefer to stay overnight as a convenience. He also said that the hotel would host corporate events, but only for guests who utilize the catering facility.
Cretella said the hotel would be closed if there were no events planned in the catering hall and no rooms were booked with the event.
Cretella told the board that Maddy has 14 other venues, including the Ryland Inn in Readington and the Logan Inn in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Crettela estimated the rooms would cost between $300 and $400 a night.
Cretella said the hotel would have "overtones" of a Frank Lloyd Wright design.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Stone House restaurant in Warren NJ revises plan for 'high end' hotel
