S.B. board presented with first adult community plan
Planners were scheduled to hear Byron-Hill
application Wednesday
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — The Planning Board was scheduled to get its first look last night at what a Planned Adult Retirement Community (PARC) might look.
Byron-Hill New Jersey Corp., Cranbury, was scheduled to present an application seeking to build 215 single-family retirement homes on 100.1 acres off Stouts Lane near South Brunswick High School.
It is the first of possibly four adult communities, similar to those in neighboring Monroe, to be considered by the board.
The township created the new PARC zone in 1998 following much debate.
Supporters expect the adult communities to increase the tax base without adding more school-age children, and keep seniors in the township after their retirement.
The former Township Committee initially voted down the PARC ordinance, but brought it back quickly for a second look and eventually approved it.
Three parcels were identified for rezoning under the new PARC designation, and the council recently added a fourth tract off Old Road in the Little Rocky Hill section.
The Planning Board has reviewed three conceptual PARC plans, but this is the first application it has received.
During the Sept. 29 board meeting, representatives of Byron Hill unveiled conceptual plans to build 252 mixed one- and two-story senior citizen homes with two-car garages on the 100-acre site. The number has since been reduced.
At that meeting, the developer’s engineer, John Taikina of Manalapan, said a community sidewalk would extend to the high school so the approximately 500 senior citizens living in the community would have the opportunity to interact with school activities.
He said the price tag on the age-restricted homes will range from $160,000 to $250,000.
The board has also reviewed a conceptual plan from DKM/Westminster Realty to build a 205-lot, single-family community to be called Florham Park. The development, on a 120-acre parcel within the PARC zone off Route 130 and Georges Road, would include 11/2-story loft-style homes .
The community would have two tennis courts, a clubhouse, an outdoor swimming pool, walking trails, a gazebo, horseshoe area, plus a picnic pavilion, raised-bed community garden, putting green and tot-lot area.
A board subcommittee is currently studying a PARC II ordinance which would allow higher-density, multi-family units, including affordable housing units.