Lands may be zoned for senior housing
S.B. also mulls zone change to expedite Rt. 522 extension
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

A proposal to rezone two areas of South Brunswick into the new Age-Restricted Residential Communities (AARC) zone and one area from commercial to industrial was moved forward by the Township Council Tuesday night.

If approved, the two areas that will become the first of a new zone developed by the township are a patch of land located between Routes 1 and 522, which is zoned residential, and another area on Route 522 near Major Road and Route 1 zoned for a Planned Adult Residential Community (PARC). The council is expected to vote on the introduction of these ordinances during its next meeting July 25.

According to Mayor Frank Gambatese, the original purpose of the zone was to provide age-restricted housing in a smaller, cheaper and lower-density way than the other zone the town allows for senior housing, the PARC.

"The object to make this zone was to make housing affordable to certain segments of our township. If you have a home in Kendall Park and you're now 55 or 60 or older and you sell your house to move into another community today, these houses cost $400,000 to $500,000. Many of our seniors cannot sell their house and move into another house with that cost, so these houses would allow for a much lower cost. I think it provides a housing element to a segment of our society in the township that really needs this," said Gambatese.

Councilman Christopher Killmurray previously expressed his reservations about this ordinance, not so much because of its concept but its execution. When it came time for the council to vote first to introduce it and then to adopt it, he voted no each time because of concerns about the density and the buffering area.

"The intention behind the ordinance is laudable, and I agree with the mayor and council trying to fill that need for moderately priced senior housing. As I had looked at it, I had some issues with the buffer and density and height, and that was a concern I had, which detracted from the otherwise wonderful goal. I would have preferred a little less density and a little more buffer," said Killmurray.

The other reason was that by encouraging development in these zones, the township could fulfill some of its affordable housing requirements mandated by the state.

"We owe them 600 units, and the town government has been trying to meet that obligation dictated to us, and this is going to be a critical component of meeting that requirement of the state," said Councilman Charles Carley.

According to Carley, this option was the least painful way of fulfilling the requirements, as age-restricted communities don't burden the school system with an influx of new children.

"It's an old industrial site, and we have a COAH obligation that the state tells us to provide 600 units. This is about as gentle a way we can go about providing the 600 units ... so I want it to move along," said Carley.

The council also decided they will vote on an ordinance to rezone a parcel of land near the intersection of Route 130 and Fresh Ponds Road from mixed office and residential use to industrial. According to Township Manager Matt Watkins, this was a request from the owner.

The area will be the endpoint of the planned Route 522 extension, which will allow trucks to pass from the New Jersey Turnpike to the warehouse district with less of a chance of wandering into the residential areas, and would also completely bisect the property. The road, called 522 1-A, was South Brunswick's answer to the controversial Route 92 proposal, which the state essentially defunded last year.

While some on the council believed that the area would be better served by commercial use, in order to satisfy the property owner and expedite the easement acquisition, the council decided to move the ordinance forward anyway.

"If we're going to consider this, we've got to sit down at the negotiating table and work something out that's equitable to both sides. We are bisecting their property, and there are some pluses and minuses with that as to what they can do. ... I admit in a perfect world, I'd put a small corporate headquarters on either side. I've said that before, but I do recognize that you can't always get what you want," said Killmurray.