HOWELL — What’s old was new again when Planning Board members sat down to the first in a new series of public hearings for The Fountains, a housing application that now seeks to construct a two-part complex — one section of rental apartments and one section of condominiums for purchase.

This time around, the application filed by MGD Holdings of Westfield has some significant changes from its first go-round before the board; from a reduction from 348 residential units which was the application’s original request to 304 units throughout the project, to the elimination of an originally proposed swimming pool and clubhouse.

According to planning engineer Alfred Coco, the only amenities now being planned for both sections of the 58.4-acre parcel are a tot lot, basketball courts and walking and jogging trails. He said the applicant has fulfilled the 5 percent recreation component required by municipal ordinance.

MGD Holdings is seeking one waiver for the depth of one of the detention basins. The ordinance calls for 3-foot deep basins and one of the applicant’s three proposed detention basins will not comply. Coco said a 4-foot high chain-link fence will surround the basins.

According to Coco, the application now proposes to divide The Fountains into two distinct sections with each section offering one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

The eastern section of The Fountains along Maxim-Southard Road would feature 208 condominiums in 18 buildings. A total of 407 parking spaces would be provided.

The western side of The Fountains, which would run along Route 9, would feature 96 apartments in eight buildings [12 apartments per building]. That is the portion of the development where the applicant is proposing to include rental units that would qualify as affordable housing under the state’s Council On Affordable Housing (COAH) guidelines.

Last year, the Township Council moved to have COAH officially sanction the removal of The Fountains project from the roster of township sites qualifying for COAH credits. A decision from COAH in the matter has as yet not been made.

Following discussion of this aspect of the proposal, Planning Board attorney Ronald Cucchiaro told board members that until the township receives a decision in the matter from COAH, the application should proceed under the premise of qualifying for COAH status.

Mayor Timothy Konopka told Coco and MGD Holdings attorney John Marmora that he didn’t like the idea of all apartment rentals in one section and just condominiums in the other section.

"Why is one area designated for home ownership and another excluding it?" the mayor asked.

Marmora responded by saying that although home ownership is a "noble goal," there is a lack of quality rentals in New Jersey.

The Planning Board had to start The Fountains hearings from the beginning because of a perceived conflict between board Vice Chairman Michael Howell and Sharon Carpenter-Migliaccio, a spokeswoman for Residents Against Irresponsible Development (RAID), an organized group of residents who are opposed to the project.

Howell recused himself from further hearings on The Fountains application.

Also at the April 29 special meeting for The Fountains application, Cucchiaro read a letter from Howell announcing that he will stay on as a board member, but will resign his post as vice chairmanFountains now includes

304 apartments, condos

By kathy baratta

Staff Writer.