Senior housing up for vote

PPSD Development is proposing to build two age-restricted developments off Ridge Road.

By: Brian Shappell
   The fate of two proposed senior citizen housing developments off Ridge Road is in the hands of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
   The board will discuss the application that includes both projects at 7:30 tonight (Thursday).
   The zoners will finish hearing testimony from PPSD Developers, the company proposing the 236 senior homes, before opening the meeting to public comment.
   It likely will be the last and best opportunity for residents to voice their opinions on the issue. Many residents have criticized it.
   Only two residents were able to speak at an August zoning board meeting before the session ended. Board Chairman Barry Nathanson said that will not be the case tonight.
   "The indication is that we’re going to vote Thursday," Mr. Nathanson said.
   PPSD Development is proposing to build two age-restricted developments on two properties, 172 multifamily units in the office research zone on Ridge Road and Schalks Crossing Road, just north of Perrine Road, and 64 units in a residential zone at the intersection of Ridge Road and Perrine Road, adjacent to Wexford Drive.
   PPSD is seeking a variance for the use and on the number of units per acre permitted on the properties, which are 35.3 and 36.1 acres, respectively.
   The office research zone allows for office and office park use, while the other portion allows for single-family housing at two units per acre, said Assistant Planner Brian Bidlack.
   As part of the variance application, PPSD is offering the township two, non-contiguous parcels totaling 47.5 acres in residential zones, one extending south from Broadway Road and another north of Ridge Road. The parcels are being offered to the township as open space.
   Though board members recognize that much of the community is still in shock in light of recent events in New York and Washington, Mr. Nathanson said it is imperative to hold the meeting tonight.
   "We have a lot of special meetings coming up," Mr. Nathanson said. "We’d be tremendously backlogged if we were to cancel."
   Mr. Nathanson said he will call for a moment of silence before business is conducted.
   The board last heard testimony on the application Aug. 2 when PPSD called on engineering, traffic and environmental experts to testify. The floor was opened for comments only briefly because testimony was not finished until 11:30 p.m.
   Residents have said they are concerned that the developments would increase traffic on an already heavily traveled Ridge Road.
   Warren-based attorney Jeff Lehler is representing 65 of those concerned residents. Mr. Lehler said in August that he intended to question planner Elizabeth McKenzie, who testified on behalf of PPSD, about whether the plan fits into the township’s Master Plan and if it is feasible under current zoning regulations.
   The board opted to delay that questioning until tonight’s meeting because of the late hour and because Mr. Lehler said it would take at least 45 minutes.
   Jay Troutman, a traffic consultant for PPSD, said in August that the proposed development would add little traffic to the area because the older residents are less apt to travel during rush hours and because seniors are less likely to own their own vehicle.