An application submitted by Chase Bank to buy the popular Country Griddle Restaurant & Lounge in Clinton Township will be reviewed by the township Planning Board Monday night during its monthly meeting.
CLINTON TWP. - An application submitted by Chase Bank to buy the popular Country Griddle Restaurant & Lounge will be reviewed by the township Planning Board Monday night during its monthly meeting.
The planning board will discuss the various waivers being sought by Chase Bank in the purchase of the property, said Denise Filardo, the township's planning board secretary.
Chase Bank has submitted a checklist of items that its seeking a waiver on before purchasing the property, said Filardo. The planning board and its engineer will review and make a decision on the checklist at the meeting, said Filardo.
Next month, there will be a public hearing on the proposed sale of the restaurant and lounge and then a vote will be taken by the planning board on whether to approve the application, said Filardo.
Filardo said she doesn't know if a vote on the application will be taken immediately after the public hearing or during the planning board's following meeting.
11 arrested in undercover sting at restaurant
Country Griddle owner Cary Polychronis, who has owned the eatery for the past eight years, didn't return a call Monday seeking comment on the possible sale.
The restaurant, located at 190 Center St., remains open.
In March 2014, 11 people were arrested after a multi-agency investigation into claims of criminal activity, underage drinking and drugs at the restaurant. The establishment was the target of a three-week undercover operation by state, county and local authorities on the suspicion of underage drinking, drug activity and illegal apartments upstairs, authorities said at the time.
Those arrested were between the ages of 20 and 25, authorities said. While a majority of arrests were for underage drinking, charges also included driving while intoxicated and drug possession, authorities said.
The joint investigation included detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Task Force, the Clinton Township Police Department, the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the DEA Tactical Diversion Squad and the Town of Clinton Police Department.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.