Planning board approves Walmart’s pickup stalls, holiday storage containers and new signage with conditions
May 28, 2026 | Old Bridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey
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The Old Bridge Township Planning Board voted May 28 to approve a major site plan for the Walmart at Old Bridge Square, permitting 19 online pickup and delivery (OPD) stalls, updated wall signage and up to 40 seasonal storage containers used during the October–December holiday period.
Attorney Tom Latzia, representing Walmart Real Estate Business Trust, told the board the plan focuses on operational changes rather than building expansion, saying this is the store’s “first remodel in nearly 25 years” and that the OPD area and associated signage will improve circulation and safety. He also said seasonal storage “sea box” containers would be used only for short-term, nonhazardous retail inventory and would not be customer-accessed.
The board heard technical testimony from civil engineer Ben Crowder, who described exhibits showing the OPD stalls on the east side of the store and a temporary container area to the west. Traffic engineer David Faheen presented a parking study that observed a maximum of roughly 345 occupied stalls in his 11 a.m.–7 p.m. sample and said industry guidance predicts a December peak of about 450 stalls. Faheen concluded that, even with a temporary loss of about 74 spaces during the three-month container period, the site would retain an adequate buffer of open stalls to accommodate peak demand.
Architect Perry Petrillo and planner John Mcdana described a coordinated signage package that would, in aggregate, reduce building sign area while increasing the number of smaller directional signs and adding four 10-square-foot banners on light poles to mark the pickup area. The applicant requested minor variances for directional signs, banner signs, fascia alterations and a temporary parking reduction, together with design waivers for lighting intensity and 40-foot pole heights.
Board professionals and members questioned visibility, the number and placement of banners and the containers’ location. Planner Vina and others recommended relocating one row of the containers to reduce circulation conflicts; the applicant agreed. The board also required that the seasonal containers be subject to administrative review by the zoning officer with a five-year monitoring condition; if persistent problems arise, the matter must return to the board.
After the board reviewed the conditions and professionals’ reports, members voted to grant the requested major preliminary and final site plan approval, the C variances and design waivers, with the conditions that the container layout be adjusted as agreed and that the zoning officer monitor the seasonal container operations. The motion passed by recorded roll call vote.
Attorney Tom Latzia, representing Walmart Real Estate Business Trust, told the board the plan focuses on operational changes rather than building expansion, saying this is the store’s “first remodel in nearly 25 years” and that the OPD area and associated signage will improve circulation and safety. He also said seasonal storage “sea box” containers would be used only for short-term, nonhazardous retail inventory and would not be customer-accessed.
The board heard technical testimony from civil engineer Ben Crowder, who described exhibits showing the OPD stalls on the east side of the store and a temporary container area to the west. Traffic engineer David Faheen presented a parking study that observed a maximum of roughly 345 occupied stalls in his 11 a.m.–7 p.m. sample and said industry guidance predicts a December peak of about 450 stalls. Faheen concluded that, even with a temporary loss of about 74 spaces during the three-month container period, the site would retain an adequate buffer of open stalls to accommodate peak demand.
Architect Perry Petrillo and planner John Mcdana described a coordinated signage package that would, in aggregate, reduce building sign area while increasing the number of smaller directional signs and adding four 10-square-foot banners on light poles to mark the pickup area. The applicant requested minor variances for directional signs, banner signs, fascia alterations and a temporary parking reduction, together with design waivers for lighting intensity and 40-foot pole heights.
Board professionals and members questioned visibility, the number and placement of banners and the containers’ location. Planner Vina and others recommended relocating one row of the containers to reduce circulation conflicts; the applicant agreed. The board also required that the seasonal containers be subject to administrative review by the zoning officer with a five-year monitoring condition; if persistent problems arise, the matter must return to the board.
After the board reviewed the conditions and professionals’ reports, members voted to grant the requested major preliminary and final site plan approval, the C variances and design waivers, with the conditions that the container layout be adjusted as agreed and that the zoning officer monitor the seasonal container operations. The motion passed by recorded roll call vote.
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