Lambertville is concerned about the safety of residents, particularly those who would be moving into a proposed 87-unit senior housing project.
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE Residents who have voiced concerns in recent weeks over a proposed senior housing center on Brunswick Pike may be able to lay at least one of their worries to rest.
The City Council is asking the county to lower the road’s speed limit to 25 mph.
Some sections of Brunswick Pike, also known as Route 518, now are designated at 35 mph and 40 mph, according to City Clerk Mary Sheppard.
High Point, an age-restricted independent living facility, is being proposed by Community Investment Strategies of Bordentown. The 87-unit development is planned for construction on a 4.5-acre lot owned by Dr. Donald Hart at 256 Brunswick Pike. Plans for the development are before the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
"I have no problem requesting 25 mph in the city," Mayor David Del Vecchio said. "We need to send a notice to the county because it’s a county road."
Council members noted the lower speed limit also would increase the safety factor for workers who deliver mail and pick up recyclables and garbage. In addition, at least three school bus stops are located along the road.
"The visibility is very poor there," Councilwoman Cynthia Ege said of the stretch of Route 518 where the development would be built.
Early in January, neighbors said they were worried about the potential for an increase in the already heavy traffic on the road as well as the drivers who already speed through town. They worried, too, about possible light pollution and the lack of sidewalks along the roadway for senior citizens who might want to venture downtown. Also, the facility itself would not have walking trails.
In response, Barbara K. Schoor, vice president and project manager of Community Investment Strategies, assured neighbors that seniors who wanted to go to the business district would have access to transportation provided by the facility.
Still, residents continued to voice their concerns during another meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment held Jan. 30, even after a traffic engineer presented findings of a study that said entering and exiting the development’s driveway would be safe and efficient. The study also concluded no left-turn lane would be needed. Neighbors’ skepticism only worsened when it became apparent the engineer’s testimony was inaccurate.
The engineer testified a vehicle exiting the development’s driveway would have 445 feet of site clearance when looking downhill to the right. But that figure would be accurate only if a neighbor had agreed to move a row of large forsythia bushes, which she did not agree to do.
Further testimony will be heard before the Zoning Board of Adjustment tonight (Feb. 27).
Neighbor Kathy Ferry, who is raising two children, ages 8 and 5, said she is "very relieved" by the council’s action to lower the speed limit.
When contacted after the council meeting Feb. 18, she said, "My initial reaction is that I’m very excited that the limit would be reduced. Hopefully it will be a wake-up signal to motorists because this is a residential area."
Neither Ms. Schoor nor the company’s president, Christiana Foglio, could be reached for comment.
Plans call for 10 two-bedroom units ranging from 780 square feet to 830 square feet. Seventy-seven one-bedroom units would range from 630 square feet to 730 square feet. Rent at the housing center would start at $785 and top at $1,135.
The project is estimated to cost almost $12 million, according to Ms. Schoor. To help with funding, the council is seeking a grant in the amount of $700,000 from the state Department of Community Affairs.
The city already has two senior housing centers on Main Street. Waiting lists are long, however, and advocates of the facility say it could help ease the long wait for senior citizens who are looking for an affordable place to live.
High Point would be restricted to people age 55 and over. Under federal housing guidelines, no children under 19 will be permitted.