Planner OK senior apartment plan

The plan approved last week is a revised version of the one presented by the developer to the Planning Board

By: Lea Kahn
   A proposed 117-unit affordable senior citizens apartment complex was granted preliminary and final site plan approval last week by the Planning Board at a special meeting.
   Bramblewood Senior Apartments will be located on an 8.4-acre tract of land on East Darrah Lane, opposite the Lawrence Senior Center and the Lawrence Branch of the Mercer County Library.
   The apartment complex is geared toward "active adults," who must be at least 55 years old. The four-story building will contain 117 units — 17 one-bedroom apartments and 100 two-bedroom apartments. All of the units are earmarked for low- and moderate-income households.
   The rents have not been finalized, but households that qualify as low income may pay $550 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and $675 for a two-bedroom apartment. Households that qualify as moderate income may pay around $711 to $725 for a one-bedroom unit, and $810 to $877 for a two-bedroom apartment.
   The plan approved last week is a revised version of the one presented by the developer to the Planning Board. Some of the changes grew out of suggestions offered by township planning consultant Philip Caton, and others grew out of environmental concerns.
   The original building was three stories tall, but the one approved last week is four stories. The length of the original T-shaped building was shortened. The plan also moves the building about 60 feet south, away from a wetlands area. There is parking for 125 cars.
   Engineer Russell Smith, who represented the applicant, said the houses on Glenn Avenue will look down on the roof of the apartment building. Landscaping also would obscure the view. Some residents were concerned that the four-story apartment building would change the appearance of the neighborhood.
   Planning Board Vice Chairman Tom Wilfrid said he preferred Mr. Caton’s suggestion to shorten the length of the building. It means there would be a shorter distance to walk from the building elevator to the apartment units, he said.
   "I appreciate the applicant being flexible and bringing affordable senior housing to our town. It will be a real asset," said Mayor Pam Mount, who sits on the Planning Board.
   Planning Board member David Snedeker said he was "leery" at first of the size and scale of a building at that location. Because it meets the critical need for senior citizen housing, he said he would approve the plan.
   This is the third application for a senior citizens development on that parcel. Two earlier developments were approved by the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment respectively, but never built.