Clarification: This article has been updated to reflect that there will be two entry and exit points along Route 413, not Route 13, as mistaken published initially.
The Bristol Township Zoning Hearing Board voted Monday evening to approve several variances for a proposed hotel, fast-service chain coffee shop, auto repair shop, and self-storage facility along Veterans Highway (Route 413).
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Developer DCD Capital LLC of Bound Brook, New Jersey, was granted variances for the construction of the self-storage facility, a building height requirement for the self-storage facility, wetlands, wetland margins, off-street parking, off-street loading, and site setbacks.
The plans still need to go through the rest of the land development process.
The developer is proposing the WoodSpring Suites hotel, a fast-service chain coffee shop, automotive repair shop, and a four-story self-storage facility for 3113 and 3105 Veterans Highway, which sit next to the intersection with Bath Road and Durham Road. The properties are vacant and were once home to the former O’Connor Freightliner location. The developer aims to also use the neighboring Stadium Bar and Grille property.
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The developer has letters of intent for the tenants, but couldn’t announce them because leases have not yet been finalized.
The site for the proposed development is just under 12.5 acres. The location has easy access to local roads, I-95, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and Route 13.
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Attorney Mike Meginniss, who is working on behalf of DCD Capital LLC, said a number of developers were interested in the site, but the current proposal is the best fit. He added that other proposals included truck parking.
Meginniss said the developer is a longtime hotel owner who plans to control and maintain the site for decades to come.
Addressing the auto repair shop use, Meginniss said the business would be for oil changes only. He called the facility a “state-of-the-art” concept.
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Bill Davidson, of DCD Capital LLC, said he is excited about the project. His company feels the property is “very suitable” for the proposed uses.
“We think it’s a solid hotel site,” Davidson said. “There was one problem when we found it. The site was larger than we needed for a hotel. We very quickly had the thought it would be suitable for self-storage.”
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
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Davidson said all the proposed uses for the site are complimentary and match the needs of the community.
Speaking to the zoners, Davidson assured them his company plans to stick around and maintain the property to keep customers coming back.
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While the site is about 12.5 acres, 9.5 acres would be developed. Wetlands that make up the rest of the site would be kept, Meginniss said.
There would be two entrances and exits along Veterans Highway, with one being a right exit only. There would also be an access road to Ford Road, according to plans.
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The developer is working with PennDOT to review the plans and a traffic study will be done, Meginniss said.
In November, LevittownNow.com broke the news the site was planned to be redeveloped.
The former O’Connor Freightliner site has sat empty for years. The building, which was torn down, opened in 1975.
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Bristol Township has worked for years to spruce up the Veterans Highway corridor and teamed with the state to improve the roadway infrastructure over the past 20 years. Much of the section is part of a town center overlay designed to improve the area and draw businesses.
The site has seen potential development before when Maryland-based convenience store chain Royal Farms had planned to build a location there. The plans were put on hold in 2017 and the company walked away from the site.
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