Fairfield Township trustees approve final PUD for Seven Brew drive‑thru in Bridgewater

Trustees of the Fairfield Township Board approved a final planned‑unit development on May 14 for a drive‑thru beverage shop identified in zoning case FTZ26-2C (Resolution 26-49).

Township staff described the parcel at 6565 Avenue as roughly 0.795 acres in the southeast corner of the Bridgewater development and said plans call for a 510‑square‑foot building, a remote cooler structure, two drive‑through lanes, and a 10‑space parking lot (including one handicap stall). Staff recommended approval with conditions that include: preserving findings and conditions from FTZC 26-1C; enhanced interior and Princeton Road landscaping approved by the zoning administrator; monument sign location approval; and a pedestrian connection to the sidewalk on Princeton Road. Staff cited consistency with section 615.7 of the Fairfield Township zoning resolution and said the proposal ‘‘promote[s] public health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of Fairfield Township’’ based on the submitted findings.

Drew Pontton, director of real estate for MLY7 Brew, told trustees the concept is a drive‑thru‑only beverage shop (coffee, tea, smoothies and packaged muffins), typically staffed by about 40–50 part‑time and full‑time employees per location. Pontton said the buildings are prefabricated and that construction timelines for a typical site are roughly 8–10 weeks; he confirmed the dumpster enclosure will be 6 feet 9 inches high and built to match façade materials and landscaping to screen it. ‘‘We are lined up to meet all those conditions…including the pedestrian connection to Princeton Road and the enhanced landscaping,’’ Pontton said.

Trustees praised the level of detail in the plans and, with no outstanding concerns, moved and seconded adoption of Resolution 26‑49 incorporating staff's conditions. Township roll call recorded Trusty Harkim, Trusty Makabe and Trusty Birding voting yes; the resolution passed.

Next steps: the applicant will finalize landscaping and signage details to the zoning administrator's satisfaction and obtain the required zoning certificate before construction proceeds.