An agreement has been reached with Marriott International, among others.
The redevelopment of Route 130 is continuing in Cinnaminson with the addition of new businesses.
Economic Development Director Mike Minton announced an agreement has been reached with Marriott International to bring a five-story, 102-room hotel at the formal Triboro Motors site at the corner of Taylor’s Lane and Route 130 North.
In addition to the hotel, the site will also include various restaurants including a drive-thru component. Minton said this will be a significant opportunity for job growth in the community.
“We’ve always anticipated a higher branded hotel for Route 130,” Mayor Anthony Minniti said, adding local catering establishments have been forced to send their guests to Route 73 hotels.
Minton said Marriott will be encouraged to have a liquor license and a lobby bar, as hotels have the ability to obtain a liquor license outside of typical population parameters.
European grocery store chain Lidl presented a site plan to committee and attending residents at the meeting. Minniti announced in January Cinnaminson was finalizing an agreement with Lidl, which will open a new location at the Garden State Inn site. The nearby Friendly’s Restaurant will remain at its current location.
“Bigger is better in the U.S.,” development manager Patrick Lyon said on how American Lidl stores will be different from European ones. He also cited low prices, high quality and convenience for customers as Lidl perks.
The site is 10.4 acres and the store will be just under 36,000 square feet. The plan includes a corner entry vestibule and 175 parking spaces. All service areas and utilities are located at the front or side of the building to prevent noise from inconveniencing the residents living behind the site.
“We can rival and be better than most of the national brands you’re used to,” Lyon said.
This is the first year Lidl is entering the United States. Minton says Lidl will make a formal application next month to the planning board.
Peter Hovnanian, co-principal at J.S. Hovnanian & Sons, announced at the meeting active adult community Siena is partnering with Capitol Seniors Housing to finish the development of the site that fell off almost a decade ago due to the housing market downturn.
Capitol Seniors Housing has developed more than 100 new communities in the past 20 years, according to CHS principal of development Joe McElwee. If all goes as planned, the remaining seven buildings will all be built at once.
“We’re very proud to be in Cinnaminson,” Hovnanian said. “We’re very proud of our community.”
Chipotle and Starbucks are still set to open along Route 130 as well, with Chipotle to be completed by July.
In other news:
- Cinnaminson welcomed two new police officers at the meeting. Geoffrey C. Chiumento and Christopher Burk have both graduated from the police academy and were sworn in alongside their friends and families.
Chiumento graduated from Liberty University with a degree in criminal justice and is pursuing a master’s degree in business leadership and administration. He started his law enforcement career in 2007 at the Cape May County Police Academy. He worked for the Wildwood Police Department, the Liberty University Police Department in Virginia and the Camden County Metro Police Department, where he worked as an officer and a detective and was assigned to the shooting response team. Chiumento earned his full law enforcement certification from the Camden County Police Academy.
Burk, who was born and raised in Ireland, earned a degree in criminology and criminal psychology from Dublin City College. After moving to the United States in 2013, Burk attended the Cape May County Police Academy and the Mercer County Police Academy, where he earned his full law enforcement certification. Burk previously worked for the North Wildwood Police Department.
Earlier this month, the department welcomed officers Adam Somers and Thomas Rosati, who will be formally sworn in upon their graduation from the police academy. These additions come after a recent restructuring of the police department allowing for additional officers and leadership positions.
Committeeman John McCarthy, who serves as the liaison to public safety, welcomed the officers to Cinnaminson.
- Minniti delivered a series of proclamations, including a declaration of May 21 — May 27 as Emergency Medical Services Week, a time to recognize the values and accomplishments of first responders, namely those of the Palmyra-Cinnaminson-Riverton EMS Squad.
He also recognized Riverton’s Paint the Porch Pink Breast Cancer Walk, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 21. The walk has raised more than $54,000 to date.
Minniti honored resident Harry Shea on behalf of committee. Shea, who Minniti called a fantastic volunteer and a wonderful person, served on the Cinnaminson Township Public Schools Board of Education for more than two decades.
“It was a passion more than a volunteer activity,” Shea said. “It was a passion to see that our schools functioned well.”
- Resident Jeff Gural spoke during the public comment portion to say he has filed a number of OPRA requests and has not received everything he has asked for, which he says is an OPRA violation. Gural said he plans to take his complaints to the Office of the Attorney General and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, also mentioning has attained a private email chain in regards to the selection of the director of public works he believes violates the law.
