Plans for an addition to the Hannum’s Harley-Davidson facility in downtown Rahway will expand the existing West Milton Avenue facility by about a third, possibly by spring.
City Council approved a resolution (AR-233-17) during a special meeting last night “authorizing the execution of a developer’s agreement” with Hannum’s Harley-Davidson of Rahway. The resolution was adopted by a 7-0 vote, with two members absent.
Hannum’s proposed “construction of a 5,690-square-foot accessory building along with a new 565-square-foot display pad, a paved access driveway into the new building, and a stormwater management system.” The almost 1-acre site currently includes a two-story, 17,000-square-foot building and showroom.
The Planning Board already memorialized preliminary and final major site plan approval at its April 27 meeting, with a condition to comply with all city land use ordinances. City code requires that a developer that received major subdivision or a major site plan approval enter into a developer’s agreement with the governing body. “The purpose of this agreement is to address obligations of the developer for the project as delineated in the resolution of approval and the reports of the city planner, city engineer and other city officials,” according to the resolution.
The site at 12 W. Milton Ave. (Block 88, Lot 1.01) is located partially in the Service Business B-4 Zone District and partially in the R-2 Medium Density Single-Family Zone, consisting of a total of almost 45,000 square feet. The building itself is about 17,000 square feet with planned addition about another 6,000 square feet.
City Administrator Cherron Rountree explained to council members that the expansion won’t extend beyond the existing property and not encroach on other zones or properties but occur within the site. Some council members had a few questions about the construction and local jobs during the 15-minute meeting but otherwise thanked the dealership for its investment and commitment in Rahway.
In a brief interview after last night’s meeting, Anthony Noto of Hannum’s Rahway said improvements aim to separate service operations and expand the showroom. They hope to start construction as soon as possible with completion by spring although approvals allow up to two years.
Hannum’s Harley-Davidson reopened in March 2016 after some renovations. Hannum’s acquired the former Liberty-Davidson Harley dealership upon the retirement of the previous owners, making it the fourth location and its first in New Jersey. Hannum’s has three stories in Pennsylvania: Chadds Ford, Media and Sellersville.